THE right person came forward after we carried this photo of a football match on Portland last week.

We knew it was the year 1912, but we wanted to know where the photo was taken and who the people, especially the woman, was in the photo.

Remarkably, we now know who the woman on the football pitch is.

The football match from 1912 featuring Weston United vs Portland Wanderers took place on September 7.

Velda Comben of Portland got in touch to tell us that the woman is Mabel Comben, none other than her late husband Ken Lynham Comben's grand mother.

Mabel, wearing a long dress or skirt in the photo, is leading the ceremonial 'kick off' in the match, which saw Portland Wanderers play Weston United.

The man on the right hand side can be identified as goalkeeper Pat Carter.

The match was played on the field at Weston, Mrs Comben said.

Mabel's husband was also called Ken, Mrs Comben said.

She added: "Ken's grandfather was William Attwool Comben, licensee of the Prince Alfred Inn at Weston before the First World War.

"He played a prominent part in founding Weston United F.C. and was the donor of the Comben six-a-side Cup, which was won by HMS Assistance in the early months of 1914, was taken away by that vessel and eventually returned from somewhere at sea.

"The cup was given to St George's School as a house trophy.

"It was still there when my children attended Tophill in the 1970s but was not there when I asked some time ago!"

Mrs Comben has very kindly supplied us with this photo of the trophy.

She told us that William Attwool Comben, who was licensee of The Punchbowl Inn in Easton, used the pub for very unusual purposes.

She said: "William became a foundation member of Portland FC and served on the first committee of that organisation, placing a hut at the back of the inn at the disposal of the club as a dressing room.

"He retained an active interest in the club up until his death."

So as we have learned, the woman in the photo was part of a family which achieved a lot for Portland and has played a large part in its sporting history.

Many thanks to Mrs Comben for filling us in on the mystery woman footballer!

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830973

e: joanna.davis

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoJo