Thanks Al... and Bill was a worthy hero... both on and off the field. On one of my earlier visits back to the UK he actually gave me one of his England caps, which I treasure and proudly display in our home. Just met up with a few of the lads in Sydney... i.e. Dave Birch & SydneyRover who both live in Sydney and a few others Rovers supporters who were here for the cricket. (whoops... don't mention the cricket!) I was made very welcome and it was wonderful to meet them all.

Sorry to revive this old thread... but having just joined this site, I'm enjoying reading through some of the past messages. Just wanted to add that my Mum and Dad were good friends of Bill Eckersley and his wife, Irene - in fact we lived next door but one - and even as a child I remember Bill's disappointment in Matthews on this occasion. Bill was a very modest and unassuming guy but I remember he was 'gutted' about this. "Superstar" behaviour is common now but it was quite unusual in the 50s and 60s. I seem to recall that most players had to have 'day jobs' to boost their income, even if they also played for their country; as did Bill. Oh Dear... makes me sound and feel very old... but I remember it like it was yesterday.