Hereford United 1939 shares certificate inherited by family

Shirley Jones found the certificate of shares, having been the only person to inherit her father-in-law Herbert George Jones’ belongings, and read that it only cost him five shillings per share to purchase them.

Shirley with her father-in-law's certificate and memorabilia (Image: Rob Davies)

Mr Jones purchased eight shares in 1939 when Hereford United were selling £1,000 worth of shares in their company, or 4,000 five-shilling shares in total. 

His certificate is marked number 48 and reads “This is to certify that Mr Herbert George Jones of 3 Birkott Road, Hereford is the registered holder of eight shares of five shillings, each fully paid and numbered 517-524.” It also states the shares were sold to Mr Jones “under the common seal of the said company this 23rd day of October 1939.”

Historically, investors were given share certificates as evidence of their ownership of shares, but in modern times, ownership may be recorded electronically. Mr Jones’ shares certificate was signed by the football club’s directors and secretary of the time.

Hereford United shut down in 2014 and was replaced by Hereford FC.

Ms Jones with the Hereford United shares certificate (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Mr Jones’ wife died around sixty years ago, so he lived with his daughter-in-law for 27 years until his death. Mr Jones worked for the Praill Motor Group in Herefordshire, based at Holmer Road. The motor group closed in 1990 but was in business for around 80 years, employed 150 members of staff at any one time and had depots in Cardiff, Swansea, Worcester and Birmingham.

Ms Jones herself worked at Much Birch School, starting in 1977 as a lunchtime supervisor and continuing to work there for almost 50 years. Ms Jones even went to Buckingham Palace in recognition of her years at the “lovely” school. She said she would “go back tomorrow!”

Upon her 40th year at the school, Sasha Davidson, deputy headteacher, said: "We feel it is quite an achievement to still be working in the same place for 40 years and to still be working with great energy and enthusiasm at the age of 80.”