This suitcase, purchased at auction, belonged to former professional footballer and manager Alfred ‘Pat’ Beasley – and was an absolute treasure trove, filled with programmes, photographs, correspondence and more.
Beasley began his senior playing career with Arsenal in 1931, making a first team debut against Sunderland the following year. A Joe Hulme injury opened the door to more regular first team football, and he played 23 games, scoring 10 goals as Arsenal claimed their 3rd top flight title in 1933/34.
With Hulme back in the frame alongside Alf Kirchen, he would once again find himself on the sidelines, and moved to Huddersfield in 1936. post war, he had spells with Fulham and Bristol City, where he became player-manager.
He also had a brief managerial spell with Birmingham City in 1959/60, before taking the reigns at Dover.
His only England cap came against Scotland, in a 2 – 1 win, where he also scored.
Sadly he passed away in Somerset in 1986, aged 72.
