IT’S a well known fact that sports stars were far more accessible to the general public in days gone by, and so were the valuable trophies that they won.
This is highlighted by the photograph on the right, which shows a young Black Country sports fan clutching the most famous club football trophy in the world — the FA Cup.
Carol Whitehouse (Hill as she was then), of Wesley Avenue, Halesowen, describes the day as follows...
“Seeing the photo of Johnny Nicholls in your paper brought back memories of 1954 (when West Bromwich Albion won the Cup). We watched the match on our tiny 12” TV, along with friends who did not have a TV.
“When Ronnie Allen took a penalty, my Dad, Howard Hill, hid in the bathroom till we told him he had scored.
“I enclose a photo of me holding the FA Cup, taken at Old Hill cricket club on August Bank Holiday Monday, when the Albion were playing Old Hill at cricket.
“In the background is Johnny Nicholls signing autographs.
“I wonder if it would be allowed to pass the Cup around today?”.
