THE KEITH HARDING COLLECTION

The brainchild of Newtown based member Ken Davies.
The Welsh Football Data Archive became aware of a collection of football photographs held by Newtown AFC’s former Chairman, Keith Harding. The family were approached for permission to use the photographs on a webpage in Keith’s memory. These will appear on the WFDA’s website www.wfda.co.uk from 1st July 2008.
Age Concern, Montgomeryshire heard about this project, and immediately offered display space during June at their offices in Market Street, Newtown to help promote the event.
A selection of photos and other items have been put together to cover a condensed history of Newtown Football Club commencing with Newtown White Stars from the 1870’s to the present day with a photo of Jack and Rhoda Blayney on their retirement from helping the club for over 50 years.
An Age Concern spokesperson said they have never seen so much interest, particularly from men, in their display window. Within a couple days, another display board with additional photos supplied by former players was, set up. Volunteers have also knitted bottle cover tops in Newtown’s home and away colours for the display.
Newtown AFC has been extremely supportive, supplying photos, and together with many former players, have succeeded in naming most of those appearing in the photos. Many players have shared their memories with the mid Wales representative of the WFDA. One of the many highlights was being able to take a photograph of the Winners Medal awarded to C P Challinor who played in the first ever Montgomeryshire Cup Final in 1906/07.
Former players are contacting their families, particularly those living abroad to visit an associated website www.penmon.org to see much more information relating to Keith Harding’s collection and a short history of Newtown Football Club. Lembit Opik M.P. has also shown a keen interest in the project.
A Football Fun Quiz has been arranged to help raise funds for Newtown FC’s Junior clubs, the White Stars and Age Concern.
As a result of the popularity of the collection and to mark the end of the display, ‘extra time’ will be played. A reunion of former Newtown players during the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s is being arranged. It will be held at the Latham Park Clubhouse, Newtown on Saturday 19th July 2008 between 1pm and 5pm and is open to players from those years and also to the wives of those players who have sadly passed away.
The Welsh Football Data Archive is very grateful to Mrs May Harding, daughter Nicky and everyone else who have assisted, for their support with The Keith Harding Collection.
Ken’s very original idea, backed by the Harding family, opens an avenue for other clubs to publicise their history within their own town.
Hopefully clubs will approach fans, former players and committee members to collect together memorabilia and photographs and put them on display in a local charity shop so that the charity also get some benefit.
We at the WFDA would only be too pleased to add the photos to its website to ensure their preservation as historical documents as part of Welsh football heritage.
We would encourage clubs to get in touch as soon as possible for more advice. The WFDA will accept any photos for inclusion on their site and we would hope that clubs will feature a piece on the project in one of their match-day programmes next season. The WFDA will supply the text.
Look out for the official launch details in the press.