Dated 8th February 1947, this is the “Agreement For The Hire Of A Player” between Centre Half John “Jackie” Vernon and West Bromwich Albion FC.
On the first inside page Vernon is listed as living at 7 Moorland Park, Belfast and on the next page he has agreed to be paid the handsome sum of £10 per week, reduced to £7 and 10 shillings per week during the summer break along with the “usual bonuses”. The player also “agrees to reside in West Bromwich district during the playing season & training period”.
Also included with the player contact is a team photo including John Vernon. He signed for a club record fee of £9,500 and in 1949 he captained the club to promotion from the 2nd Division. That season he also scored his only ever goal for the club in a 1 – 0 Christmas Day win against Sheffield Wednesday.
