Trophy plaque presented to Mr Thomas H Kirkup of the London Football Association in recognition of fixtures between the London F.A. and the Belgian Di

Trophy plaque presented to Mr Thomas H Kirkup of the London Football Association in recognition of fixtures between the London F.A. and the Belgian Diables Rouges between 1908 and 1932, in the form of a marble plaque set with a silvered medallion of a footballer taking a throw in, above a brass plaque with presentation inscription in French language, the reverse inscribed with the initials of the Union Royal Belge des Societes de Football Association, 14 by 13cm., good condition Thomas Kirkup, a native of Durham, became the London Football Association representative to the F.A. Elected in 1897 and retired fifty years later, he was also Secretary of Division 3 for one season, then clerk to the Association, before becoming its first paid Secretary in 1903. The job of secretary to an Association as large as the London F.A. had clearly become too onerous to be undertaken on a part-time basis and the inevitable step of appointing a full time secretary was taken. He was also a member of the Council of The Football Association for forty three years, during which time he was made a Life member. Kirkup was also one of the three founders of the Isthmian League which, when officially formed on March 8th 1905, appointed Harry Huband secretary and Lord Kinnaird president.