Diss museum wants town footballing memorabilia for new exhibit

An appeal for football memorabilia has been made by Diss Museum, with trophies, photos, shirts and programmes sought.

The appeal has been made as part of a planned exhibit to feature a history of Diss FC, on the 30th anniversary of the club lifting the FA Vase.

The display will trace the club’s story from its beginnings in the 1880s to the present day, with famous former players to be featured.

Some of these illustrious names include Manchester City goalkeeper Alec Thurlow, Ipswich and England striker Trevor Whymark and Paul Warne, a member of the Vase winning team and now manager of Derby County.

Drawing on Gary Enderby’s book about the club, museum manager Basil Abbott has carried out his own research into the club’s rich history.

Tracing the evolution of the side’s shirts, he found that the tangerine colours were inspired by Blackpool’s 1953 cup-winning team, which were, in turn, inspired by the Dutch international team’s colours.

In 1950 and 1951, Diss played benefit matches against the Royal Navy. Mr Abbott found that they were in aid of people affected by two disasters involving British submarines HMS Truculent and HMS Affray.

The matches came 10 years after a plaque was unveiled to mark Diss adopting the submarine HMS Otus and raising money in Warships Week.

Mr Abbott said: “The connection between the town and submarines is striking and may have come about via the naval Taylor family from the Manor House. Rear Admiral Taylor certainly kicked off the second football match.”

The museum has been promised mementos from the career of Trevor Whymark, the club’s only former player to be capped by England.

To help with the appeal, contact Diss Museum on 01379 673613.