Rare 9ct gold & enamel football medal won by Dave Halford playing for Derby County FC as they won the prestigious Central League for the first time in their history in the season 1935 - 36.
The front of the medal depicts a crest on a central raised shield picked out in red & blue enamel. It is embossed:
"THE CENTRAL LEAGUE 1935 - 36"
The obverse is engraved:
"WINNERS. DERBY COUNTY F.C. D. HALFORD"
9ct Gold Medal: Weight: 18.5 gm. Diameter: 28 mm. Hall Mark: Birmingham 1935. Maker's Mark: Vaughton & Sons.
David Halford (19th October 1915 - 2007): David was born in Croxley Green and played for Scarborough before joining Derby County in 1935 where he stayed for just one season, playing 6 League games & scoring 3 goals. However he appears to have been a stalwart for the reserves as he helped the club win their first ever Central League Championship in the season 1935 - 36 (the medal for sale).
Dave left Derby County for Bolton Wanderers in 1936 for a fee of £3,000. At Bolton he played 6 League games, scoring one goal before moving to Oldham Athletic in 1938. He played one season with Oldham, playing 28 League games in the 1938 - 39 season, scoring 11 goals. Sadly WW2 came along and ended Dave's footballing career. He died aged 91 in 2007.
Central Football League: This is the League for reserve teams of the Football League clubs which was formed in 1911 and is still competed for today.
Derby County have been crowned Champions on just 4 occasions in 1935 - 36 (the medal for sale), 1971 - 72, 1985 - 86 & 2024 - 25. Liverpool have won the League most times (16) with Manchester United second (9).
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this is a rare medal in the long history of Derby County FC, a medal from their first Central League Championship season. Weighing an impressive 18.5 gm of 9ct gold it also has a high scrap value. Good luck!