Bristol Rovers and Supporters Club launch pre-war cap project for former players
Information about two pre-war Bristol Rovers players has led to a project tracing the closest relatives of players from the pre-war era of the club
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
The discovery of two former Bristol Rovers players from before the breakout of the war has led to a project to trace more relatives and honour them.
Between their first 1920/21 season and the breakout of World War II, Bristol Rovers say 259 players made their debut for the club - and now they have been inspired by another club to offer back 'caps' posthumously to their closest relatives.
It's all been inspired by an idea from Championship side West Bromwich Albion, looking to honour post-war players, but since contact from close relatives of two players who competed before the war, they've expanded their search.
Now, for former players who made at least one football league appearance between 1920 and 1939, the SC caps initiative hopes to honour everyone who has played for the club since being admitted to the Football League, just over a century ago.
Keith Brookman, secretary of Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, said: "A little while back, we decided we wanted to cap every player who's made a league appearance for the club. We thought it would be straightforward to get in touch with those post-war players, but pre-war players went onto the back burner.
"Some people have come forward to say they have a relative who played for the club before the war, so we decided to bring that project forward, so we could award a cap to the relatives.
"It's an idea I saw first being used by West Bromwich Albion. I thought it was a nice idea, and their philosophy was, if you get a cap for your country, why don't you get one for your club? That's what inspired us - it's a memento of someone's career of being a professional football player.
"One particular poignant story is someone from the Morgan family - one played pre-war; one played post-war; and another played for Bristol City. The relative is planning a book on the family - and it was a very interesting thing for us, and for the family... family heirlooms, if you like!
"There was another story of a father playing pre-war, and the son post-war for the club, and their family would like caps for their family as well. It's something that's so interesting, that this project has stirred memories of people who used to play for the club.
"I think it's fascinating - I think there's some good stories to be uncovered through this project. This is a great way to make sure players feel remembered, and it's a wonderful thing to be a part of."
The club say they hope the joint project will help others to come forward and help them add to their library of photos, contracts and memorabilia.
Close relatives are being asked to get in touch with the club by January 31, 2023, so they can get to making the caps.
The club have ordered a number of caps without a number embroidered on - and will only start making them for the pre-war players when they know how many former players they've been able to chase.
You can find out more about the project and how to get in touch with the club here.
You can find out more about Bristol Rovers Supporters Club here.