Historic U's photographs go to national museum
March 6, 2009 12:00 AM
Former Colchester United Manager Mr Dick Graham with Bob Russell MP holding the photographs of the Leeds match
Historic photographs of Colchester United's victory in 1971 over the then all-conquering Leeds United - arguably the greatest FA Cup upset of all-time - are to be presented to the National Football Museum tomorrow (Saturday) by Town MP Bob Russell…..and each year will be seen by more than 100,000 people.
Last summer, with the U's moving from Layer Road to the Community Stadium, new club owner Robbie Cowling decided to get rid of the Club's memorabilia recording some 71 years of history at the old ground. Amongst the items auctioned was a frame containing press photographs of the three goals which saw Colchester United defeat Leeds United 3-2 in the 5th Round of the FA Cup, putting the U's through to the last eight for the only time in the Club's history.
Mr Russell expressed his opposition to the sale of the Club's memorabilia and at the auction paid £470 for the framed photographs which for 37 years had been proudly displayed in the Directors' and Vice-Presidents' reception area of the main stand.
Since then the frame containing the photographs has been displayed in Mr Russell's constituency office in Colchester, but tomorrow he will be presenting a reminder of one of the great moments in English football to the National Football Museum in Preston. He is in the North of England this weekend for the Liberal Democrat Party Spring Conference in Harrogate, and on Saturday he will be travelling across The Pennies to the home of Preston North End at Deepdale where the Museum is located.
Mr Russell said: "It is a pity that Colchester United no longer wants this important reminder of arguably the most famous win in its history, but at least at the National Football Museum it will be respected by true followers of our great national game and will be viewed by thousands of genuine football supporters who have values for the ethos and traditions of English football."
Last weekend Mr Russell and his wife Audrey took the framed photographs to the home of Colchester's Manager at the time of the great victory, Mr Dick Graham. "He was so pleased to talk about that great day in the life of Colchester United, and we talked about the game for more than 90 minutes! I was honoured to be with him and his wife. I know he is disappointed that the photographs are leaving Colchester, but he understands why and agrees with me that if the Club do not want them then the National Football Museum is the best possible place."
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