A silver cigarette box presented to W.A. ('Bill') Camkin by the players and trainers of Birmingham City FC in 1946, hallmarked Birmingham,1945, the ma

A silver cigarette box presented to W.A. ('Bill') Camkin by the players and trainers of Birmingham City FC in 1946, hallmarked Birmingham,1945, the machined lid engraved with the initials WAC in a reserved panel, the front inscribed PRESENTED TO W.A. CAMKIN ESQ: BY THE PLAYERS AND TRAINERS OF BIRMINGHAM CITY F.C. IN APPRECIATION OF HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS ON THEIR BEHALF, 4-5-46, cedar lined interior, leather base, length 17cm., 6 1/2in. 'Big Bill' Camkin is the man attributed to have kept Birmingham City FC alive during the dark days of the Second World War. The club had been struggling on the pitch and then during the Blitz on 21st January 1942 the club's grandstand, dressing rooms and equipment were destroyed by fire. Bill Camkin wrote at the time 'From these ashes there shall arise a club and ground - yes, a team that will be in keeping with the best in the country.' He devoted almost the whole of his time and energy to reviving the Blues. As well as being the Managing Director of the Football Club he also managed the team as well and in the first season after the War Birmingham City reached the semi-final of the F.A. Cup and won the League (South) competition. It is a sign of the respect and admiration that he held amongst the players and staff that in austere times they should subscribe to this silver presentation in his honour. Included in this lot are two pages of photocopied newspaper obituaries, one provides direct provenance details for the cigarette box from the club captain Arthur Turner who reflects on their surprise presentation to the manager at the end of the 1946 season. Failing health led to his resignation from the Board in 1952 after serving there for 16 years and, sadly. he passed away a little over a week before Birmingham City's appearance in the 1956 F.A. Cup final. Away from Football, Bill Camkin was an important figure as a promoter of professional snooker and billiards. On hearing news of his death the legendary player Joe Davis said 'It was largely through him [Camkin] that a snooker championship was ever begun, so it can truly be said that it was he who helped to make me a champion, and for that I must ever be grateful.