Mervyn "Sandy" Griffiths collection of b & w photographs, all original and annotated in Griffith's hand, approx. 12 by 9in., some matted, include mat

Mervyn "Sandy" Griffiths collection of b & w photographs, all original and annotated in Griffith's hand, approx. 12 by 9in., some matted, include match action, Festival of Britain v Argentina 1951. Meeting the late Prince Phillip kick of England v Scotland 1949 with Billy Wright after Wolves v Spartak 1954. at Charlton signing autographs and in Charlton dressing room before match March 1953 (3). On tour with Charlton in Germany plus various matted photographs including with captains before kick off Swansea v Cardiff, large 15 by 12in. matted photograph schools international v Germany at Portsmouth 23/5/1956 and includes telegram from Bulgarian FA requesting him to supply details for visa to referee Oudarnik Sofia v Djurgarden 21/11/1954 and others, (21) Mervyn "Sandy" Griffiths international referee started his career as a linesman in 1939. And was a Football League referee from 1945-59 and FIFA listed 1949-58. He refereed international matches all over the world, together with the famous 1953 Cup final Bolton v Blackpool, his decision with two minutes to go enabled Stan Mortensen to equalise with a free kick, the rest is history. He went into the crowd before the match and bought 50 programmes to give to his pupils back in Newport, Wales, where he was a teacher. Griffiths represented Wales in three World Cups 1950, 1954 and 1958. In 1950 he appeared in the opening match as linesman and refereed Brazil v Uruguay and Uruguay v Spain. In 1954 he refereed the opening game Yugoslavia v France and semi-final Hungary v Uruguay and assisted William Ling as lineman in the final Hungary v West Germany with the score at 3-2 Griffiths flagged for offside, Ferenc Puskas shot which beat West Germany goalkeeper Toni Turek. In 1958 he refereed Yugoslavia v France and Brazil v France in semi-final. He set a unique hat tick, first Welshman to referee an international at Wembley, to referee a Cup final and the only Welshman to appear in a World Cup Final. The previous two lots also relate to Mervyn "Sandy" Griffiths and a further advert will be included in the Graham Budd World Cup Auction in November 2022.