A public auction was held recently by J. Stuart Watson, Auctioneers of Chainhurst, Kent where a collection of early football medals won by Alfred H. Nobbs was offered for sale. Alfred Nobbs played at Full Back for a number of Kent-based clubs & most memorably played for New Brompton FC at around the time when the club changed its name from New Brompton FC to Gillingham FC in 1912.
I managed to acquire two medals won by Alfred Nobbs from his time at New Brompton and although neither medal is engraved with his name, both came from his collection so will have been won by him.
I am now putting these medals up for sale with this item being:
An impressive & rare 9ct gold & enamel medal presented to Alfred Nobbs as New Brompton FC finished runners-up in the Parker Shield (Kent) in 1911, possibly the last medal won by the club before it changed its name from New Brompton to Gillingham.
NOTE: I am no expert of early Kent football competitions so I am not sure if the Parker Shield & Kent Senior Shield are different competitions or the same one. What is interesting though is that New Brompton certainly did finish runner-up in the Kent Senior Shield in 1911 with the Final played on 27th November 1911. New Brompton lost the game to Crystal Palace with the match being played at The Den, Millwall. Please do your own research.
The front of the medal bears a raised shield with the Kent Crest picked out in blue enamel. It is embossed:
"KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION"
The obverse is engraved:
"PARKER SHIELD RUNNERS - UP 1911"
Weight: 5.4 gm. Width: 24 mm. Height: 32 mm. Hall Mark: Chester 1911. Maker's Mark: Horace George Croneen.
Gillingham FC: The club is based in Gillingham, Kent and was formed in 1893 as New Brompton FC. They joined the Southern League on its creation in 1894 and turned professional. In 1912 the club changed its name to Gillingham FC and played under that name throughout the 1912 - 13 season although the name change was not ratified until after that season.
Gillingham joined The Football League in Division Three South in 1920 and currently compete in EFL League Two, the 4th tier of the English football league system.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this is a rare medal in the long history of Gillingham FC. Possibly the last medal won by the club as New Brompton before the name change in 1912. The fact that it can be attributed to a specific player, Alfred Nobbs only adds to its desirability. Good luck!