A YOUNG man's dreams of playing for his home town football club were contained in a 1940s letter lost on a shop floor.

Now the schoolboy who found it 35 years ago is hoping readers of The Bolton News can help reunite the invitation for trials with Bolton Wanderers with its rightful owner.

Neil Turton was 10 years old and helping out in his father's hardware shop, The Wood Bar, in Chorley Old Road, when he came across a neatly folded letter dated May 25 1948.

The typewritten letter, addressed to JG Vause in nearby Vickerman Street, Halliwell, states: "We shall be pleased to invite you to play in our trial games in August.

"If your Summer Holidays are arranged for that month you are requested to let us know the actual dates.

"Full instructions will be sent to you in due course, in the meantime you are advised not to sign forms for any other League Clubs."

Over the years Mr Turton, and then his wife Lesley, have attempted to find the recipient, but have not been successful.

"It's a shame — it should be reunited with the owner or their relatives," said Mrs Turton.

"We think it has probably come out of someone's wallet when they have been in the shop.

"When I met my husband 12 years ago he showed it to me and I was intrigued."

Wanderers fan Neil has kept the letter along with, tickets, programmes and other club mementoes through house moves to Smithills, Heaton and Southport.

But now the couple plan to donate it back to the club if the owner cannot be traced.

At the time the letter was written the team was in League One under the control of secretary manager Walter Rowley, who was looking for new players to strengthen the squad after the end of the Second World War.

"I am presuming the letter's owner may have only been a young lad at the time," said Mrs Turton.

"We have no idea whether he made the team or not. It would be lovely to find out."

Anyone who recognises the letter's recipient can contact The Bolton News on 01204 537271.