Now here we have our final clue card, and this relates to Twickenham, which is the first place name ever to be recorded as part of the Middlesex story. It actually appears as "Tuiccanham", in a charter drawn up in the eighth century which gave the area to the control of the Bishop of London. I have not been able to find out how this name was created. Yet.
Also this makes up, hopefully, for the lack of footballers this week.
This team was obviously included because they won the Championship again that year. It is still in existence but I cannot find out much about it, save that they now play in the Chiswick & District Sunday League rather than the South West Middlesex League. But I am intrigued by the fact that they have a "long history".
This set is a huge one, just our piece of it containing 110 cards. I may possibly be able to add an earlier write up on it by the time the newsletter goes up, I have not had time to look for it in the "Cigarette Card News", or more correctly to see if by some miracle it was reviewed in the few copies I have of that year.
Therefore the earliest description found so far appears in our Ardath Reference Book (RB.6 published in 1943). This sadly does not give it a reference code, but it tells us that it is :
October 1936. 110 Photocards Series "F", titled series. Size 3 1/8 x 2 1/4. Numbered 1-110. Real photographs of Football Teams of London and the Southern Counties, toned black and white, glossy fronts, titled, white margins. Backs printed in black, with descriptions, with "F" at bottom right. Issued with "King`s Cigarettes". Expanding Albums, price 6d., were issued.
1 variety known, 31 Tooting and Mitcham F.C. / Tooting and Mitcham United F.C.
There was also an "F.s" set of eleven cards, which were supplementary. If anyone knows what this means do get in touch. I am presuming that it is either newly created teams?
As you have come to expect, the World Indexes are much more concise and simply say : "Inscribed "F" Football Teams of London and the Southern Counties" (110)." The original volume does cross reference to RB.6, page 11, but the updated version does not.
There is a bit more information on the top banner, which adds "PHOTOCARDS. Numbered Series. Md. Black and white photos. Nd. Many cards found overprinted in red brown "Packed with Ardath Kings - 10 for 6d. - The Longer Cigarette"