A 15ct gold medal, the obverse inscribed English League v. Scottish League, 1898, the reverse inscribed W. Beats, with ring suspension; a purple England v. Scotland International Cap, 1902; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed R.N.& R.M.F.A. Inter Port Cup; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed Portsmouth Football Association, the reverse inscribed Portsmouth, Senior Cup Winners, 1931-32; another, similar; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed United Services Football League Div.1, the reverse inscribed Winners, 1927-8; ten various gold, silver and bronze Royal Navy and United Services medals, all with ring suspensions and some with original cases; a blue cap inscribed H.M.S. Fisgard XI, 1921-22, 1922-23; a blue and maroon cap, inscribed U.S.L., 1927; and a blue cap inscribed R.N. & R.M.F.A., 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, and 1932 (19)

The following lot comprises medals and caps awarded to father and son WILLIAM EDWIN BEATS and JOHN "JACK" BEATS

Details

A 15ct gold medal, the obverse inscribed English League v. Scottish League, 1898, the reverse inscribed W. Beats, with ring suspension; a purple England v. Scotland International Cap, 1902; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed R.N.& R.M.F.A. Inter Port Cup; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed Portsmouth Football Association, the reverse inscribed Portsmouth, Senior Cup Winners, 1931-32; another, similar; a 9ct gold and enamel medal, the obverse inscribed United Services Football League Div.1, the reverse inscribed Winners, 1927-8; ten various gold, silver and bronze Royal Navy and United Services medals, all with ring suspensions and some with original cases; a blue cap inscribed H.M.S. Fisgard XI, 1921-22, 1922-23; a blue and maroon cap, inscribed U.S.L., 1927; and a blue cap inscribed R.N. & R.M.F.A., 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, and 1932 (19)

Lot Essay

William Edwin Beats was born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire on 13th November 1871. His football career started with Port Hill before joining Port Vale Rovers in 1889. In the early 1890's he joined Burslem Port Vale and in 1895 he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 1896 he appeared for Wolves in the F.A. Cup final and between 1901-2 he made two International appearances for England. In May 1903 he joined Bristol Rovers and thereafter there were periods with Burslem Port Vale; Reading as player/trainer; Bristol Rovers as a trainer and finally Reading, in the same capacity before retiring during W.W.I. As a centre-forward he was a major factor in Bristol Rovers' Southern League Championship win in 1905 and it was his qualities as a leader of the attack which earned him five appearances for The Football League. Billy Beats's son Jack Beats was also regarded as a fine footballer and the above collection of medals and caps awarded to him is ample testimony to this.
The 1898 English League v. Scottish League match, played on 9th April at Villa Park, Birmingham before a crowd of 22,000, ended in a 2-1 win for The Scottish League. Billy Beats scored England's only goal in this match. In his second and final England International appearance against Scotland, played on 3rd May 1902 at Birmingham, England and Scotland drew 2-2.

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