Clapton FC 1923-24 F.A. Amateur Cup Winners rare original autographed fold-over card, size 8.5 by 5.5in. with typed team grid to the open interior, f

Clapton FC 1923-24 F.A. Amateur Cup Winners rare original autographed fold-over card, size 8.5 by 5.5in. with typed team grid to the open interior, fully autographed in fountain pen ink by the Clapton F.C team that won the 1923-24 F.A. Amateur Cup. Beautifully and uniformly signed to their individual team position by the full Clapton F.C team including the rare signatures of the team’s three England internationals. Signatures include: Stanley Earle (Captain), Viv GIibbins, William Bryant, Fred Blake, Ron Potter et al., very good condition. Clapton F.C was established in 1877 under the name Downs Football Club and initially based at Hackney Downs in Lower Clapton. Clapton began competing in the FA Cup in 1888-89, and in 1890 became the first club from Great Britain to play in continental Europe, defeating a Belgian XI 7–0 in Antwerp. The 1904–05 season saw Clapton reach the final of the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, losing 3–2 to West Hartlepool. The following season they became founder members of the Isthmian League, finishing as runners-up in its inaugural season. They won the FA Amateur Cup in 1906–07, defeating Stockton 2–1 in the final. In 1908–09, they won the Amateur Cup again with a 6–0 win against Eston United. The 1910-11 season saw them win their first Isthmian League title, and in 1914–15 the club won a third Amateur Cup with a 1–0 victory over Bishop Auckland in the final. Clapton won another Isthmian League title in 1922-23. The following season 1923-24 saw them win their fourth Amateur Cup, defeating Erith & Belvedere 3–0 in the final. They went on to retain their title as Amateur Cup holders the following season, beating Southall FC 2–1 at the Old Den. In the same season, three Clapton players were selected for the England national team. William Ingram Bryant (1 March 1899 – 21 January 1986) was an English international footballer who played club football for Clapton and Millwall. Born in Ghent, Belgium, Bryant played as a centre-half. Whilst a Clapton player Bryant was capped by England in a match against France in May . It was to be his only England appearance. William Vivian Talbot Gibbins (10 August 1901 – 21 November 1979) was an English amateur footballer who played as a striker. Whilst registered with Clapton, he won two full England caps, both against France, scoring twice in a 3–1 victory on 17 May 1924 and once on 21 May 1925. Gibbins went off injured after 35 minutes of the latter game; Freddie Fox also went off after 75 minutes and England finished with nine men, but managed to hang on to win the game 3–2. He also won 12 amateur caps, scoring seven goals. Gibbins worked as a schoolmaster and was one of the last amateur footballers to feature for England. Stanley George James Earle (6 September 1897 – 26 September 1971) was an English footballer who played as an inside-right in the Football League for Arsenal, West Ham United and Clapton Orient. He was capped for England at amateur and full levels. Earle played in the Isthmian League with Vivian Gibbins at Clapton, and joined Arsenal as an amateur in March 1922. He made four League appearances for the north London club, scoring three goals, and had his registration cancelled in July 1924. He made two appearances for the full England team, the first in a 3–1 victory against France on 17th May 1924 where he played alongside his Clapton colleague Gibbins. After being selected as a reserve for England's game against Ireland on 24th October 1925, he didn't see further action with the national team until 1927, age 30. The 2–0 defeat against Northern Ireland saw Hammers goalkeeper Ted Hufton taken to hospital after a broken arm sustained in the first half.