What’s more, it’s scary to think that these pictures are all from an era before England had even won a World Cup! Nevertheless, take a trip back in time to see what things in the city looked like some 70 years ago.
These images will have you syaing: “I barely recognise my own city!”
Still looking for a bit more nostalgia? Be sure not to miss some of our other recent retro picture collections...
21. PNE FA CUP FINAL 1954 - result: PNE 2 West Brom 3 - starting 3rd from left: Sir Stanley Rouse - FA Secretary, Tom Finney, Queen Mother, Baxter, Bobbie Foster,Joe Marston, Willie Forbes, Tommy Docherty, Joe Walton - Preston North End
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22. Councillor J.F. Gray. Commemorative Photograph Album, Preston. Visit of H.M.S. "Coniston" and "Bevington", 17th - 21st November 1954. Councillor Joseph Frederick Gray & Mrs. Evelyn Gray. Mayor & Mayoress of Preston 1954-55 and Guild Mayor & Mayoress 1972-73
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23. A photo the star treasured of his team mates taking the FA Cup trophy to his hospital bedside. A rare football treasure, an FA Cup winnerâs medal given to a Midlands footballer in the saddest of circumstances, is expected to fetch thousands of pounds at auction. See SWNS story SWMDmedal. In 1954, West Bromwich Albion player Norman Heath was looking forward to taking part in an FA Cup final against Preston North End â a match West Brom went on to win 3-2. But after playing in the FA Cup semi-final match, Heathâs career came to an abrupt end. He suffered severe neck injuries in a match against Sunderland, was forced to retire from the game and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Despite being unable to play in the FA Cup final, Heath was awarded an FA Cup winnerâs medal and his team mates took the trophy to his bedside in hospital. Now Heathâs gold medal, estimate £4,000-£6,000, together with a âtreasure troveâ of his football mementoes will be sold by Derbyshireâs Hansons Auctioneers on February 21. The memorabilia includes Heathâs WBA football contracts; letters from WBA; a rare 1935 Sheffield Wednesday v WBA FA Cup final programme and an autographed West Bromwich Albion celebration dinner programme from 1935. Items will be sold separately and the entire collection is expected to fetch between £8,000-£10,000. Norman passed away in November 1983.
Hansons / SWNS
24. Today we feature a photo of John Crompton on board his trike in Bedford Street, Preston, in 1954. Picture kindly submitted by Wilf Riley, who asks: âCan anyone identify the make /owner of the âEliot-Ness âUntouchablesâ getaway car, parked up, with engine running?â
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