Memorabilia relating to the opening of the stadium at Athletic Club de Bilbao 21st August 1913, including A RARE PROGRAMME FOR THE THREE DAY (21ST TO

Memorabilia relating to the opening of the stadium at Athletic Club de Bilbao 21st August 1913, including A RARE PROGRAMME FOR THE THREE DAY (21ST TO 23RD AUGUST) INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT STAGED TO INAUGURATE THE STADIUM, WITH MATCHES BETWEEN ATHLETIC BILBOA, RACING CLUB DE IRUN (SPANISH CHAMPIONS) AND FROM ENGLAND SHEPHERD'S BUSH FC, folded sheet, detached at spine; together with related English and Spanish press cuttings; souvenir real photo postcards, pus other postcards including some relating to Shepherd's Bush's next match on their Spanish Tour v San Sebastian (a qty.) appendix Sir Leslie Bowker KCVO OBE MC (1888-1965) lots 45 to 47 Sir Leslie Cecil Blackmore Bowker was a fine amateur footballer in the Corinthian tradition. He was a full-back renowned for his vigorous and uncompromising style. Bowker was the founder of West London Old Boys before the Great War, a team that had the privilege of playing some of their home matches at Craven Cottage. The young Leslie did turn out for Fulham occasionally. He also toured the continent with the English Wanderers, a side virtually made up of amateur internationals. He was also asked to captain the London League team that defeated the Paris League in France in February 1912. During the First World War Bowker held the rank of Captain in the London Scottish Regiment, and was awarded a Military Cross. After the hostilities Bowker played for the Dulwich Hamlet 'Victory' side who had an outstanding season in 1919-20, winning the Isthmian League, the Surrey Senior Cup, the London Charity Bowl and beat Tufnell Park in the final of the F.A. Amateur Cup played at The Den. Despite this enormous success Bowker rejoined his beloved Old Boys at the beginning of the following season and when they joined the Athenian League. However, they had a wretched season, finishing bottom of the League having recorded just one victory. West London Old Boys did not seek re-election and appear to have folded. But it was away from the playing field that Leslie Bowker, a barrister by profession, really made his name, rising to great heights in the game's governing bodies. He eventually became President of the London League, the London FA and the London Minor FA. Furthermore, he was made President of Fulham FC in the 1950s and became Vice Chairman and Vice President of the Football Association at Lancaster Gate. He was also a committee man at Surrey CCC. Away from sport, Bowker was appointed Chief Clerk to the Law Officers of the Crown in 1925 and was granted an OBE by George V in 1928. He was promoted to the highest office of Legal Secretary to the Crown and for the next 20 years, until his retirement, he was stationed at Guildhall performing the role of City Remembrancer for the Corporation of London. He also presided over a number of important and illustrious state occasions such as the proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II. His knighthood was announced in the 1948 New Year's Honours List. In 1953 he was appointed KCVO in recognition of his personal services to King George VI and the Royal Family. He retired shortly afterwards and died in Brighton aged 77 in 1965.