Sheffield Independent April 17, 1937

From Bolton and Thurnscoe to Villa

following successful trials on Thursday, two Thurnscoe Victoria wing halves were signed on professional forms by Aston Villa.

They are Fred Osborne, right half, of Bolton on Dearne, who stands 6’1” and weighs 10 stone 11lb and is only 19 years old and John Plover, left half, who is 20 years old and stands 5 foot 8 ¼ inches, turning the scale at 11 stone 1 pound.

Plover, who hails from Thurnscoe, was the fastest man in the Victoria team

Note: Osborne stayed at Villa 2 years and Plover 10 before moving to Coventry City. Neither played for Villa