The last writer is exactly correct - it was the 'unofficial' England tour to Switzerland. Note that Stanley Rous (later to become Sir Stanley) is in the picture also. He is the tall figure in the black suit about 6th from the left on the photo. Note that his autograph in also on the postcard.
Nov 22, 2009 Rating
I think the picture relates to these two matches by: Anonymous
UNOFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL* (SWISS FA 50th ANNIVERSARY) 21/07/1945, Berne, Neufeld Stadion, 35.000 SWITZERLAND 3-1 ENGLAND [HT 1-0] Scorers: Switzerland: Fink, Friedlinder, Amado England: Robert Brown
SUI: Erwin Ballabio, Rudolf Gyger, Willy Steffen, A Sulger, Franco Andreoli, Joseph Courtat, Alfred Bickel, Walter Fink, Lauro Amado, Hans-Peter Friedlinder, G Aeby ENGLAND: Frank Swift [Manchester City] Laurence Scott [Arsenal] George Hardwick [Middlesbrough] Frank Soo [Stoke City] Neil Franklin [Stoke City] Joe Mercer [c] [Everton] Tom Finney [Preston North End] Robert Brown [Charlton Athletic] Tommy Lawton [Everton] Douglas Hunt [Sheffield Wednesday] Leslie Smith [Brentford] Referee: n/a
UNOFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL* 24/07/1945, Zurich, Grasshoppers Stadium SWITZERLAND 'B' 0-3 ENGLAND [HT 0-2] Scorers: England: Tom Finney 4', Willie Watson 22', Michael Fenton
SUIB: M Glur, Fluhmann, Willy Steffen, R Mathis, A Stoll, R Aeby, André Neury, Eugen Walacek, R Hasler, M Fornana, Jacques Fatton ENGLAND: Frank Swift [Manchester City] Laurence Scott [Arsenal] Thomas Kinsell [West Bromwich Albion] Joe Mercer [c] [Everton] Neil Franklin [Stoke City] Edward Fenton [West Bromwich Albion] Tom Finney [Preston North End] Michael Fenton [Middlesbrough] Tommy Lawton [Everton] Leslie Smith [Brentford] Willie Watson [Huddersfield Town] Referee: n/a
*Note: The two games listed against Switzerland were classed as Services XI, post-historically. However, the "England" team were not only English in total but also wore England shirts. On the official illuminated address all players received, these games were listed as they were in the official FA history (written in 1953). Switzerland B had beaten Switzerland 3-1 also in this triangular of matches. Other sources also indicate that at the time these were probably classed as more official as they are now but are listed for reference.
