The treasures of an Ipswich Town hero of the past are going up for sale next month. Back in the 1930s, the late George Perrett played in the Blues’ first season as a professional club and also their inaugural term as members of the Football League.
Two of his medals are amongst a collection of souvenirs from a distinguished playing career which go under the hammer at Lockdales, the Martlesham auctioneers, on the weekend of March 15th and 16th.
Perrett made 217 first team appearances for Town, scoring 19 goals, but stalwart Portman Road service was interrupted by the Second World War. He served with the British Army, and was part of the Allied Force that landed in France on D-Day, 1944.
When the wing-half’s Town career ended in 1950, he became landlord of the EUR public house in Croft Street. But time behind the bar was short. He died in 1952, at the age of 37, following an operation.
Amongst the items for sale is the inscribed gold medal bearing his name that was presented for being in the team that won the Southern League in season 1936/37.
There is also a large clock with an inscribed silver plaque, which was given to him by the Town board for the championship triumph.
Also included in the collection is a winning gold medal for being in the side that beat QPR 4-3 at Portman Road in May 1938 to win the Hospital Cup.
Another fascinating item is the programme from the first ever Town game as a professional outfit, a match that he played in.
This was against Tunbridge Wells Rangers at Portman Road in August 1936, an encounter the home side won 4-1 in front of a 14,211 crowd.
The collection is completed by several original photographs of a footballer who also played in Town’s first game as a Football League club. This was the August 1938 home 4-2 win over Southend, a contest watched by 19,242.
Lockdales auction manager James Sadler, a Town season ticket holder, said: "I’ve never before had to deal with such an interesting archive of football memorabilia relating to one person. Being a lifelong Ipswich fan makes it that bit extra special.”
He added: "The illustrious career of George Perrett is etched deep into the early history of the Town. What we have is a fascinating collection from a man who certainly did his bit for the early professional Blues.”