REDISCOVERY OF THE 1903 CUP FINAL MATCH BALL

Early day motion 1269, tabled 29 April 1998 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 13 members.

That this House congratulates the staff of Bury Football Club for assisting with the rediscovery of the historic match ball from the 1903 Cup Final; notes that Bury's 6-0 victory over Derby County in that year remains the record-winning margin of any Cup Final; acknowledges that the ball was presented to Bury FC in 1954 by Edith Baxter, the daughter of John Johnston, a member of the legendary 1903 team; regrets the fact that the ball was mislaid after the 1971 London Football Exhibition and appears to have languished in storage at Lancaster Gate for the last 27 years; and calls on the Football Association to return the ball to Bury as soon as its current mission, in supporting the national bid for the 2006 World Cup finals, has been successfully completed.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Labour/Co-operative 1.