April's object of the month is a blue bowler hat worn by football supporters on 30th April 1983, when VS Rugby won the FA Vase after defeating Halesowen Town in the Wembley Stadium final.  The only goal of the game was scored by Ian Crawley.

The bowler hats found their way to the victorious players as they celebrated on the famous turf and shared their success with several thousand fans in the 14,537 crowd.

Club founder, former player and long serving secretary, Keith Coughlan shared this memory:

“When VS Rugby Football Club Won the FA Vase it was an outstanding triumph in the town of Rugby’s sporting history. What’s even more remarkable was that this happened just 27 years after a group of self-financed teenage boys from the New Bilton area of Rugby, had played their first ever competitive game as Valley Sports Football Club. I’m proud of the club’s achievement and the pleasure it brought to so many people.”

Members of the team who played at the national stadium meet up annually and along with club officials and supporters, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of winning the trophy this month. 

The hat and other memorabilia from the event are currently on display in our Join Our Club exhibition on until 23rd Sept.