Newcastle United stars of the 1950s, like you've never seen them before

Why Newcastle United stars of the 1950s swapped their strips for smart suits to pose for studio portraits has puzzled club historian Paul Joannou.

The 12in by 9in studies are of Jackie Milburn (signed), Bobby Mitchell (signed), Tommy Walker, Ronnie Simpson, Norman Smith (signed), Bobby Cowell, Bill Foulkes, George Robledo, Alf McMichael (signed) and Ted Robledo (signed).

They will be sold by Newcastle auctioneers Anderson and Garland on Tuesday, with an estimate of £150-£200.

“They are lovely studio portraits and are very different from the usual pictures of Newcastle players in their black and white strips,” said Paul. “These are cinema-style portraits and are probably a one-off set.

“If player pictures are taken for general sale you expect some to come on to the market, but I have never seen this type of format before. Maybe they were done for the players themselves.”

Several of the pictures are signed “to Bill.”