The weekly football photograph

Through the Lens of Time

Football memories, one photograph at a time.

Sam Bartram · Charlton Athletic · Football boots

Remember your first pair
of football boots?

A young customer, a pair of boots and a football legend behind the counter. Sam Bartram is the famous face here—but it is those boots that might bring your own memories flooding back.

Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Sam Bartram, wearing a suit and tie, serves a young boy buying football boots in his sports shop.
From the goalmouth to the shop counter. Sam Bartram helps a young customer with football boots in his sports shop.From a vintage football annual in our collection. The exact photograph date is unconfirmed. Select the photograph to view it at full size.

Those boots. Those memories.

Before you read about the man behind the counter, take another look at the boots. Does this scene remind you of visiting the local sports shop, trying on a pair and imagining the goals you would score in them?

Perhaps you remember saving up for them, receiving them as a present, or being told there was still another season left in your old pair. Every pair had a story—and we would love to hear yours.

What were your first football boots?

  • Can you remember the make—and how much they cost?
  • Did they need breaking in, and how did you look after them?
  • What do you remember about the studs, the laces and that first match?

Join the conversation wherever you saw this photograph. Tell us your memories—and tag a friend who played in boots like these.

The man behind the counter

Sam Bartram: a Charlton legend

Born in Jarrow on 22 January 1914, Sam Bartram joined Charlton Athletic from Boldon Villa in 1934. He became one of the club’s best-loved figures, making a record 623 Football League and FA Cup appearances before his retirement in 1956.

Bartram was in goal for Charlton’s 1947 FA Cup triumph, a defining moment in the club’s history. His long career at The Valley spanned Charlton’s rise from the Third Division South to the First Division.

This photograph catches a different side of the goalkeeper’s life. As the annual’s original caption explains, when he was not training or playing, Sam served customers behind his shop counter. For this young customer, a new pair of boots came with a memorable shop assistant.

1934–1956
Charlton playing career623
League and FA Cup appearances1947
FA Cup winner
Historical notes and sources

Career details: CAFC Facts & Stats: Sam Bartram and Boldon CA FC: Sam Bartram. Shop context comes from the caption accompanying the original annual photograph. The boy’s identity, boot brand and photograph date have not been confirmed.