The mid 1950s were a golden age for Bristol Rovers. At the heart of the team which came within a whisker of promotion to the First Division, was their cultured, ball-playing, attacking right-back Harry Bamford. A one-club, local man from Bristol’s St. Philip’s Marsh, the unflappable Harry became an Eastville hero, respected throughout all levels of football for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

His untimely death in a motorcycle accident in 1958 shocked and grieved the whole city and beyond, thousands attending his funeral or gathering to watch the cortege.

 Based on never before seen family papers, photographs and memorabilia, Harry Bamford: Bristol Rovers’ First Gentleman of Football, for the first time tells Harry’s remarkable story, from his early years in the Marsh and his wartime service in the Far East, to his development under Bert Tann into one of the best full-backs never to win a full England international cap.

 Determined that Harry’s legacy should live on, an anonymous admirer donated a fine silver memorial trophy to be awarded each season to the most outstanding Bristol footballer displaying that same sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. Thought destroyed in the fire, the rediscovery of the Trophy prompted the revival of the award to a host of professional and amateur players and has deservedly brought the name and achievements of Harry Bamford to new generations of Bristol football supporters.