Victorian football trophy up for auction

1:53pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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A ROSSENDALE sporting trophy dating back over 120 years is up for auction for a guide price of £12,000.

The Rossendale Football Association Charity Cup is being sold by Mullocks Auctioneers.

The silver trophy was found wrapped up in a sack in a shed in Rossendale by a man who's father had passed away.

Andrew Lane, a football and rugby specialist at Mullocks auctioneer said: "The man didn't have anything to do with the Lancashire FA of the cup at all. We don't know where he got it from originally.

"But we think he probably had it since right back since the 1920s."

The keepsake, which has been on loan at the National Football Museum, has decorative handles mounted with matching period footballers, each holding a period segment football under their arms.

The trophy comes complete with matching lid, which is mounted with similar period footballer about to pass the ball.

It is hallmarked Sheffield 1883/84.

Accrington Stanley won the cup in 1913 and Rossendale United dominated between 1906-09.

The last winners of the cup were Shuttleworth in 1921 and 1922.

Other winners of the cup included Stacksteads, Shawforth and Irewell Springs.

Mr Lane added: "The trophy is very rare.

"We sometimes get programmes dating back to the 1900s but we don't see shirts or trophies that old."

"We've had it estimated from between £12-13,000 and we do expect it to go for that amount.

"It's one of the earliest football trophies to become available.

"It's solid silver. If you were to buy a trophy that size now made of silver, it would cost £12,000 for it to be made.

"I would like to see the trophy go back to a team which has won it but clubs like them don't have the finances to buy it."

The trophy will be auctioned on May 20 at Ludlow Racecourse.