iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

It's always a pleasure to welcome @danielgraywriter.bsky.social to the @nfmofficial.bsky.social archive, especially when he comes bearing a gift of his latest book! Here he is taking time out from work on his next book - it's always fun seeing what we have that might help.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I've recently enjoyed rereading the Brooks and Eckstein book bought after a visit 30+ years ago! It also contained postcards we kept after seeing the Channel Islands one - perhaps your students can do a comparative study! (Excuse for a holiday too!)

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Congrats to Patricia Gregory on winning the Lord Aberdare Prize, awarded by the British Society for Sports History. Its wonderful to see Patricia's work recognized in this way. Do get a copy if you don't have one If only there was a trophy to go with her @nfmofficial.bsky.social Hall of Fame one!

Book cover of Breaking the Grass Ceiling: The History of the Women's Football Association by Patricia Gregory.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Recently scanned our relatively small collection of pre-1939 copies of The Referee - the official magazine of the Referee's Association. Fascinating slice of social history from 1932- the RA trying to get the Govt to avoid penalizing unemployed refs's benefits if they took a match-fee above 3d+4d

A page from the June 1932 edition of The Referee -the official magazine of the Referee's Association. In this and the following images the magazine reproduced its correspondence with the Ministry of Labour, asking them to rescind the governments rules on removing a day's benefit payments if an unemployed referee took a match fee of more than 3 shillings, 4d.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

After an immense effort by our marketing team at @nfmofficial.bsky.social we can now accession our complete WC Panini sticker album! Whether England or other European nations will be in the shiny FIFA album for the 2030 WC remains to be seen...

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Saw this and thought of the various betting and horse-racing historians at @bssh.bsky.social who'd enjoy examining the content and design of this poster at Sheffield train station.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

One for @refbooks.bsky.social - article on one of the English women who passed the County FA referees examination between 1968 and 1975 but who were banned from reffing men's games) Mollie Urquhart was invited though by Halifax Town to ref a pre-season training game

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Seeing the news that Donald Trump is presenting the WC winners with World Cup Rings, brings to mind that in 1934 Benito Mussolini had his own trophy (Coppa Del Duce) made to present to the winners. Il Duce clearly missed a trick by not working with FIFA to sell limited edition copies though...

An artistic image of Benito Mussolini, fascist leader of Italy, in 1934. From the official tournament programme.

A photograph of the Coppa Del Duce. This trophy was commissioned by Benito Mussolini to present to the winners of the 1934 World Cup which was hosted by Italy, who also won it.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Contemporary collecting/documenting the pain update A shattered England wonderbawls in agony and heartache as a kanning by Messi kills the dream and sends England out

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Current mood... Back in the 1900s the mail had many deliveries per day. So a postcard was one of the quickest ways to share your thoughts on why England went too early defending a lead and why Mainoo was taken if he wasn't going to be played... (NFM Collections)

Current mood - an Edwardian postcard depicting an unhappy crowd with the message 'Our Team's lost' - to be sent to a friend with space for the score to be filled in.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

However, it had to be abandoned due to a storm during the game. These photos give an idea of how wet it was!

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

The FA XI lost 3-1, but consoled themselves with the full match to follow

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

England next played Argentina in 1953 during a tour of South America. These are from an album the AFA presented to the FA. 1st was a Buenos Aires XI van FA Xi. Billy Wright leads the FA side out while referee Arthur Ellis meets President Peron. Yes, we brought our own ref!

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

The final one was by sportswriter John Graydon, who enthused about South American football, based on his experiences at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. "South Americans concentrate on the classical. Many of their combined moves rank among my greatest football memories."

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

It also contains three different articles exploring the history and style of Argentine football, with lots of praise for the style and skill of its players.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Thanks to his time in Argentina, Richard was able to meet the team and they all signed the match programme.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Lets go back to the beginning - at least for official matches between #England and #Argentina. Here is the programme for the first in 1951 - a 2-1 win for England thanks to a late Jackie Milburn goal. This belonged to referee Richard Maddison, who officiated in Argentina in 1949 and 1950.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Museum collecting and old fashioned print deadlines

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Egypt also contributed the first African match official at the tournament with Youssef Mohamed, who was also involved in the Olympic football tournament. (Courtesy of the Priory Collection)

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Ahead of tonight's game between Belgium and Egypt, here here is preview of The Pharaohs in the official tournament programme for the 1934 FIFA Men's World Cup - they were the first African country to participate in the final tournament. (Courtesy of the Priory Collection)

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Interesting to see that he had grown at moustache at this time. He had shaved it off by the time he travelled to Brazil in December 1957 (Image from his Immigration Card via Ancestry UK)

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

@gedboy58.bsky.social - thought you might like this cartoon. From Nat Whittaker's scrapbook in @nfmofficial.bsky.social collections.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

A few snapshoots for @refbooks.bsky.social from referee Nat Whittaker's scrapbook - part of @nfmofficial.bsky.social collections. For those who don't know, Nat was also the Secretary of the Southern League and the 1907 FA Cup final referee.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

As found in the Nottingham Football Post, 2 April 1910 - issues with adults getting over involved in kids football is nothing new!

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Was sad to read recently of the death of artist Glen Baxter. I grew up with a copy of the Collected Blurtings of Baxter, so it was special to recognize one of his works when we took a loan from the Players Foundation a few years ago. A small slice of his surrealist humour.

A framed artwork by surrealist artist Glen Baxter, who died recently. It shows players and a referee wearing candles on their heads with the caption 'Despite financial cutbacks, Rovers still managed to complete all their midweek cup fixtures'

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

To accompany Sheffield Theatres production of The Ladies Football Club, they and Sheffield Homes of Football have arranged a series of talks - I'll be chatting about women's football during the First world War on Saturday at 5pm at the Crucible www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/extra-time-b...

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Loving today's documentation task. Loving it ..

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Something for @refbooks.bsky.social - a pre-printed postcard that Arthur Ellis had produced to help him respond to (presumably) the many enquiries he got. This one has been used to say thanks for being congratulated on getting the 1952 FA Cup referee appointment.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Although I do like the strong George Formby vibes from centre-half William Richardson

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Scanned a few things last week, including magazine build up to the 1935 FA Cup. Personal favourite is the photo of George Shaw (WBA) who 'can knit a pull-over a good deal better than most women' with his wife and their wee baby in the tub.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

What would Sir Jim Ratcliffe make of all this I wonder? (From NFM Collection)

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Another page from the 1934 World Cup programme - this time showing trophies and awards. It includes the Coppa Del Duce, commissioned by dictator Benito Mussolini as an additional prize for the winners, and much larger than the Jules Rimet trophy.(Priory Collection)

Page from the mens 1934 FIFA World Cup programme showing the Coppa Del Duce, the trophy that fascist dictator Benito Mussolini commissioned for the winners of the tournament.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Another highlight from the 1934 World Cup programme - a cool but somewhat challenging infographic on the qualifiers. Courtesy of the Priory Collection.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

From the official programme. Can email you the two pages about referees.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

One @refbooks.bsky.social - guide to the match officials from the 1934 FIFA World Cup programme. (Courtesy of the Priory Collection) Includes the first African referee at a World Cup.

Visual guide to match officials at the 1934 FIFA World Cup from the tournament programme.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

In 1907, they had gone to the FL 1st Div holders (and 2 times cup finalists) Newcastle United - and won 1-0. Part of their success was due to having plenty of Geordies and ex-NUFC players, who were more than familiar with the Toon's close-passing style. It was seen as a massive cup-upset

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Some extra gloss for #Macclesfield + their amazing win - Crystal Palace were the last non-League team to knock out the Cup holders (Wolves) in 1909 Then the FL only had 2 divisions. Palace were in the 1st Division of the Southern League - a bit like the 3rd Division. They also had cup form - 1/2

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

May have shared this with already. James Dowd sketch/cartoon for the Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 31 January 1912. Think there is a separate written report.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Little research snippet from today's work - a letter to the Liverpool Daily Post (3 November 1920) by a disabled ex-serviceman, describing the lack of consideration given to him and other veterans after the Merseyside derby. May interest @footballandwar.bsky.social

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Going through some research and reminded myself that I came across an artistic depiction of a Black British soldier in the 4th Manchester Regiment in April 1916. If anyone would like it and the source info, would be happy to share it. Please share with anyone who might like it. #BlackHistoryMonth

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

And we now finish our journey at the now defunct Ramsline Halt station. We have the sign in our stores. It opened near Derby County's Baseball Ground in 1990. It closed in 1997. It was designed to avoid altercations between opposing fans at Derby station by sending away fans direct to the game.

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

The 1970s also saw the railways become sites for the growing menace of football hooliganism. Vandalism of British Railway carriages became one part of the bad behaviour exhibited by travelling fans. This 1968 Daily Mirror cartoon at least finds a bit of fun by imagining a retaliatory raid!

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Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

We next head off on a works excursion with workers from Littlewoods Pools in the 1970s. Despite its large workforce, Littlewoods was renowned for its family atmosphere, with lots done to help its workers socialize. It looks like these women are ready for a fun day out!

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