Three objects from Roma’s Historical Archive on the 130th anniversary of the birth of Alfred Schaffer

To coincide with the 130th anniversary of his birth we are sharing three objects related to the great man from Roma’s historical archive. These go a little way to illustrating the impact Schaffer had on the club’s history.

Scudetto watch

After winning the Scudetto in the 1941-42 season Roma gifted the Hungarian coach with this Lowenthal wrist chronograph.

Almost eighty years later, on 30 July 2021, Alfred Schaffer's family donated this piece of history to Roma. It’s now kept at the club and serves as a testimony of the work he carried out as Roma claimed their first Scudetto and as proof of the everlasting bond between the coach and the club.

Two cards which portray him as a footballer

Before becoming a top-class coach Alfred Schaffer was a renowned centre forward. This is testified by the descriptions of two collector's cards from the 1920s.

The first is "Casanova Cigaretten" published in Germany in 1926, number 29 of a series of 34 different cards dedicated mainly to German and Central European football.

In the image Alfred Schaffer is pictured in action taking on two opposition players while featuring for MTK Budapest.

The caption on the back reads: "It’s no coincidence that Alfred Schaffer is seen as the king of football. He possesses a rare degree of artistry with a football. Here we see him controlling a cross with his thigh. In the next instant the ball lands precisely on his foot and he unleashes a thunderbolt shot on goal."

The second is "Casanova Cigaretten" issued in Germany in 1926, number 18 and is a picture of Alfred Schaffer sporting a MTK Budapest shirt.

The caption on the back of the card celebrates his playing career: "Alfred Schaffer can without exaggeration be considered the best footballer in Europe. He began his career 15 years ago, triumphing in Germany with Nuremberg and Wacker-Munchen. He coaches German club Munchen."