This fascinating post-war clipping from the Coalville Times, written by Frank Long, shines a spotlight on Mr. R. T. “Tom” Bradshaw, a 73-year-old Coalville football stalwart with more than half a century of dedication to the sport. Tracing his journey from a cup-winning local player with Coalville Albion and Coalville Town Swifts—whose playing days were cut short by a cartilage injury in 1897—to an acclaimed referee and linesman at major fixtures like the first Wembley England-Scotland clash and the 1925 Sheffield United–Cardiff F.A. Cup final, the piece captures a true pillar of the Leicestershire game. Read on to discover Tom’s reflections on football’s post-war resurgence, his high praise for rising local talents, and his tireless leadership across the county’s footballing circles.
Can you spot the error?
