A green & red quartered England cap awarded to Stanley Matthews for the 'Battle of Highbury' international v Italy at Highbury 14th November 1934, ins

A green & red quartered England cap awarded to Stanley Matthews for the 'Battle of Highbury' international v Italy at Highbury 14th November 1934, inscribed 1934-35 The ''Battle of Highbury'' was the name given to the football match between England and reigning World Champions Italy that took place on 14 November 1934 at Arsenal's ground. England won 3-2 in a hotly contested and frequently violent match. The tone had been set as early as the 2nd minute when the Italian centre-half Luis Monti suffered a broken foot in a robust tackle by Ted Drake. In what would appear to be a straight forward case of retaliation from the visitors, Eddie Hapgood had his nose broken, Ray Bowden suffered ankle damage, Drake was clean punched and Eric Brook had his arm fractured. In the aftermath The Football Association had serious discussions on withdrawing from international football altogether. The 19-year-old Stanley Matthews, in only his second start for England, escaped unscathed but in his reminiscences recounted that it was singularly the most violent football match he had ever been involved in during his long career. Provenance: Consigned by Stanley Matthews junior to Sotheby's Olympia football memorabilia auction, 21st September 2001. Purchased by the present vendor.