This autograph card, which also came to us with a souvenir postcard from the same era, was signed by the Sunderland AFC squad in 1935/36.
It includes the signature of Jimmy Thorpe, who sadly passed away from injuries likely sustained in a match against Chelsea in February 1936.
The injuries led to a change in the rules, with players no longer allowed to raise their feet to the keeper when he has control of the ball in his arms.
That propelled little known Johnny Mapson to the forefront at Sunderland (see photo) for the rest of the 35/36 season after a speedy transfer from lowly Reading FC, and the Black Cats would go on to win the Division.
Thorpe’s medal was presented to his widow, and on the 75th anniversary of the game which killed him, Chelsea and Sunderland keepers wore black armbands as a mark of respect to Thorpe, a player to whom many goalkeepers since are no doubt indebted.
