A 1907 England cap won by the man regarded by some as the greatest of all Blackburn Rovers’ players, Bob Crompton, is now set to fetch between £800 and £1,000 at an auction.

The purple velvet cap, embroidered with an England badge and the 1907 date, was presented to Mr Crompton for his appearances in the matches against Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Now more than a century later the precious Edwardian cap is up for sale at Bonhams (correct,no apostrophe) in Chester on February 20.

Crompton was born in Blackburn on September 26, 1879 and grew up in Harwood Street with his parents and three brothers.

In his book, Blackburn Rovers: A Complete Record,1875-1990, club historian Mike Jackman said: “Quite simply he was the greatest ‘Rover’ of them all.”

Altogether right back Crompton made 529 Football League appearances for Rovers between 1896-1897 and 1919-1920, a feat bettered only by Ronnie Clayton and Derek Fazackerley.

He helped the club win two Football League titles and later, as Rovers’ manager, he also masterminded Rovers’ 1928 FA Cup final triumph.

In his book, Mr Jackman said: “Victory in the 1928 FA Cup final was a welcome if unexpected boost and provided Crompton with the trophy that had eluded him as a player. The league position also improved with Rovers finishing twelfth,seventh and sixth during the first three years of his reign.

“Already a legend with the people of the town, Crompton’s success as a manager merely underlined his Midas touch. In management, as in playing,Crompton remained very much his own man.

He left Rovers in 1931 and did a spell as Bournemouth manager but later returned to Blackburn and was re-appointed Rovers’ manager in May 1938.

On March 15,1941, after watching Rovers beat Burnley 3-2 at Ewood Park, he collapsed and died, aged 61.