Kensington Corithians v Earls Court Rangers Programme Cover

1 November 1935 - the programme cover for the very first game at Empress Stadium.

The text reads "With the exception only of the representatives of the Royal House of Windsor, we have with us to-night the foremost International Sporting Personality of to-day, THE EARL OF LONSDALE, G.C.V.O., D.L., Bart., who, with his customary graciousness, has accepted the invitation to perform the opening ceremony.".

Hugh Cecil Lowther (1857-1944) was the 5th Earl of Lonsdale. He was an avid sportsman and was known as 'England's greatest sporting gentleman'. He donated the original Lonsdale Belts for boxing. His name was given to a clothing brand of boxing garments worn by Muhammad Ali. He was a keen football fan and was chairman of Arsenal Football Club for a brief period in 1936 (having previously been a club director). He later became the club's Honorary President.

/our thanks to Martin Harris for providing this image