0448. Harby United football team 1947-48 season. From left to right back row - R (Cracker)  Musson, Geoff (Peg) Furmidge, E (Ted) Alderman, Dennis (Hourdy) Hourd, Brian (Farmer) Wilford, J (Bufton) Wilford (captain).  Front - E (Ernest) Manchester, T (Tommy) Jackson, Jack (Trigger) Smith, F (Frank) Robinson, H (Harry) Eatherington, . The boy at the front with the ball is Michael Richmond, son of the Trainer Alf Richmond, thought to have had the nick name "Goballs". 

The photo was taken after Harby had won the Melton League Knock-out Cup in the final against the Vets, (Royal Army Veterinary Corps), at Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray in front of a gate of 2,000, and earlier won the Melton League Championship Cup, again against the Vets with a gate of 1,200.

From the Towers collection.

Molly Whittaker in the village was a keen follower of the team and also a bit of a poet.  Here is her account of the "Harby Football Club". For another photo of the team at the time with others mentioned in the poem see 0703
 

At Harby we have a football team
Of which we are very proud
And if a home match they should play
You ought to see the crowd

The goalie is a chap named Ted
His saves are really swell
He saves what looks like certain goals
And penalties as well

The left full back is 'Bufton'
He is a great attacker
The chap who plays at right full back
Is known to all as 'Cracker'

At centre half is 'Hourdy'
Who shows amazing skill
To watch his perfect ball control
It gives the crowd a thrill

A chap called 'Peg' is right half
He clears the ball quite well
He fouls the apponents forwards
But the goals he scores are swell

'Farmer Brian' is the left half
His play is neat and clean
His passes to the centre
Are as good as any seen

On the right wing we have 'Ernest'
Who's as swift as any hare
The inside right we know as 'Frank'
He does quite good work there

Our centre forwards super
He's full of vim and vigour
He heads and shoots some smashing goals
He's known to all as 'Trigger'

Now 'Tommy' is the inside left
He shoots so straight and true
The outside left is 'Harry'
He is so tricky too
 

Mr Scarborough he's the linesman
Who waves a little flag
Mr Richmond he's the trainer
And has a little 'Bag'
 

You all served in the forces
When duty called you all
And this makes us feel extra proud
When we see you play football

A special word for Captain John
Who's heart is in the game
His example to his team mates
as helped his team to fame

To the Secretary and Committee
We also say thank you
For a Saturday afternoon of sport
The football season through

And now the season's over
And you boys the cup's have won
From spectators who support the team
We say 'Good Lads, Well Done'