Barton Midgets were one of Oxford’s most successful football teams.

They were one of three sides run by Barton Youth Club – the others were the Robins and the Rovers.

The three teams won so many matches that on one occasion, they won the Ball of the Month award from the Daily Mirror.

This picture, sent in by former player Dave Hutton, shows the Midgets in the 1950-1 season.

Youngsters who played for the Midgets included John Woodley, who went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career with Oxford City.

In fact, the Midgets took on a team of veterans in an annual match, which was often played at City’s White House ground, off Abingdon Road.

As we recalled in a series of articles in 2007, the youth club was started by ‘Plum’ Brown and provided a range of activities for young people on the estate.

No-one is sure how Plum acquired his nickname, but he was an inspiration to many on the estate.

Some believe he got the idea of forming a boys’ club from the PC49 feature in the Eagle comic.

Members could play table tennis, darts and snooker, or sit and play games or read books and comics.

Some formed a skiffle group and there were also opportunities to play in one of two rugby teams, the Bartonians and Oxford Youth.

Plum organised annual coach trips to seaside resorts such as Brighton and Lee on Solent, as well as boat trips to Abingdon and weeklong camping holidays at Wytham.

Former club member Bob Light later recalled: “Plum was a wonderful man. There was nothing for anybody to do after the war and he got the kids off the streets. He deserved a knighthood."

The club closed after ill health forced Plum to give up in 1964. He died of lung cancer two years later.