A SLICE of footballing and Second World War history is to be preserved and used for future generations, thanks to lottery cash.

Bexley Council and Charlton Athletic Community Trust have been awarded a £30,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help preserve memorabilia belonging to Sam Bartram, Charlton’s legendary goalkeeper.

Bartram played for the club from 1934 to 1956, making a record breaking 579 appearances in goal.

In recognition of Bexley’s close ties with the football club, the Sam Bartram Collection was deposited with Bexley's local studies and archives centre in April, by the football club.

The collection contains photographs, press cuttings and other football memorabilia tracing Bartram’s career, and the lottery cash will be used to re-tell his story within its Second World War setting.

After preserving and cataloguing the collection, the centre plans to use it for a variety of educational projects.

These will include a booklet, an animated film, a specially written play and a touring exhibition for Bexley’s libraries and schools.

The public will also have access to the collection.

Sue Bowers, head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: "Sam Bartram was a local sporting hero who also served in the RAF during the Second World War.

“His story will be used as a means of explaining the local experience of the war in a novel and appealing way to young people, through inspiring archive material linked to the local football club.”

Supporters and players will also be asked to contribute their memories of watching or playing with Bartram at reminiscence sessions.

Two have already been organised on August 19 at Erith library in Erith High Street and at Welling Library in Bellegrove Road, on August 23, both from 1pm to 4pm.

Anybody interested in taking part should call Simon McKeon on 020 8836 7370.