Bolton Wanderers - FA Cup Winners 1958
Information from Roy and Barbara Hartle, and Tommy and Rita Banks
The full backs
Roy Hartle and Tommy Banks were the two full backs in the Bolton Wanderers team which beat Manchester United 2-0 in the 1958 Cup Final.
Roy Hartle was born in Catshill, Worcestershire in 1931 and played for Bromsgrove Rovers. He came to Bolton on amateur forms when he was 16 and went in the army at 18, serving as a P.I.Instructor/ Bombardier. When he left the army in 1952 he signed professional forms for the Wanderers. He became a first team regular in 1955, and from then until 1965, he missed only 20 games. His playing career with Bolton ended in 1966, having made 499 appearances for the Club. He captained the side and was never sent off in his entire career.
Tommy Banks was born in Farnworth in 1929 and signed for Bolton 1n 1947, while still working down the pit at Mossley Common. His brother Ralph was at that time the Wanderers first choice left back. He made his debut in 1948 at Wolves but didn't establish a regular first team place until 1953. He went on to make 255 appearances for Bolton. He was a tough tackling, combative left back, - " tha'd better not try to get past me unless th' wants gravel rash" was a famous remark to opponents, and a quality player who won six caps for England. Tommy was a former pupil of Harper Green School, and a few years ago the school drama department wrote and staged an excellent musical about his life.
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1953 FA Cup runners up medal
Awarded to Roy Hartle, who played at right back in every game except the final. |
John Ball regained his place at right back a fortnight before the final but Roy received a runners up medal. |
Roy's shirt from the 1953 Final.
The 1953 final became a legend in FA Cup history. Nat Lofthouse scored in every round of the cup, including the final, taking Wanderers into a 3-1 lead. In a thrilling finish Blackpool rallied to win 4-3. |
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Roy's shirt from the 1958 Final.
Frank McGhee wrote in the Daily Mirror, "Full backs Roy Hartle and Tommy Banks controlled both wings without expending a teaspoon of sweat on a hot day." |
Roy Hartle's FA Cup 1958 9 carat gold winners medal.
Bolton Wanderers defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the final of 1958 with two goals from Nat Lofthouse. |
Roy Hartle's F.A.Cup 1958 winners medal
inscribed 1958 to the obverse and "The Football Association Challenge Cup Winners" L R Hartle. |
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Tommy's winners medal.
In the same month he made his England debut against the Soviet Union in Moscow. |
Tommy never made a mistake in the entire ninety minutes, winning the medal that made up in part for the disappointment of his brother Ralph, who was in the 1953 team. |
Roy Hartle's shirt from the 1958 semi-final against Blackburn Rovers at Maine Road.
Bolton won 2-1 with Ralph Gubbins, in place of the injured Nat Lofthouse, scoring both goals. |
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| Roy's shirt badge from the 1953 final. |
Official programme from "the Matthews Final". |
Roy was rewarded for his loyalty to Bolton with a testimonial in 1969. |
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