THE FA Cup, could soon be on its way to Preston.

The National Football Museum based next to Preston North End's Deepdale ground is hoping to make a bid for the FA Cup, which was played for between 1896 and 1911.

It will go under the hammer at the London auction house, Christies, on May 19.

It is expected to fetch up to £300,000, but museum chiefs are concerned it could fall into private hands.

The museum cannot afford to buy the cup from its own coffers, so it is approaching organisations like the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant.

But they fear that even if they do get a grant, their attempt to bring the cup to Deepdale may be thwarted by rich individuals capable of outbidding the museum.

"We are applying for grants, but if at auction the bidding goes a penny above what is deemed the market value we would be out of the bidding," said Mark Bushell the museum's spokesman.

He said the cup, which was made in 1896, is likely to attract a lot of attention as it was won by wealthy clubs like Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa.

This trophy replaced the original FA cup made in 1872, when the competition was founded, which was stolen from a shop window in Birmingham in 1895.

It was given to footballer and FA president Lord Kinnaird in 1911 for 21 years of service -- he played in nine cup finals from 1873 to 1883 -- and his heirs now own the historic cup.

David Convery, head of sports memorabilia at Christies, said: "This is likely to be the only chance to get hold of the FA Cup, I can't see the FA selling any other cups.

"The market is as strong as it's ever been, and certainly, judging by the calls we have had about the cup, there's a lot of interest."

Mr Bushell added: "We just hope that it does not end up in private collection for another 94 years or disappear halfway around the world."

"If someone wanted to buy it and loan it to us long term, we would welcome that."