Graham Budd Auctions Ltd.
Lot 30
A green No.4 Republic of Ireland amateur international jersey worn by Michael Dalton of Bohemians in the 1963 Football Association Centenary Celebrations Amateur International Tournament, by Smyco of Balbriggan, short-sleeved, v-neck collar, embroidered shamrock badge; sold together with associated memorabilia comprising an official F.A. tournament itinerary; souvenir programme; two sets of autographs of the Republic of Ireland team v Switzerland and v Italy on F.A. headed paper; and a set of four table place cards for Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and West Germany, the reverse of each signed by the respective amateur international team (9). Michael Dalton played for the Dublin-based Bohemians team, the oldest Irish football team still in existence. He later played for Dundalk, a team he would manage when his playing days came to an end. Traditionally the Football Association organised an end-of-season tour abroad for leading amateur players, but in 1963, their centenary year, an international tournament was staged instead. The games took place exclusively in the North of England at Bishop Auckland, Blyth, Carlisle, Crook, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepools, Middlesbrough, North Shields, South Shields and Sunderland, with eight teams took part comprising England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, West Germany and Netherlands. Scotland entered a strong team including three players who would later leave their mark on the professional game at international level, namely Peter Lorimer of Leeds United, Peter Cormack of Nottingham Forest & Liverpool and Andy Roxburgh the Scottish national coach between 1986 and 1993. This strong Scotland team beat West Germany 5-2 in the final tie played at Roker Park on 22nd May. Their signatures are included in the memorabilia in this lot. The signed table place cards relate to the tournament dinner banquet organised by the F.A. at the Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay, after the final tie.
