Star defender Alf McMichael, who for decades was Newcastle United's most capped player, yesterday revealed why he is selling the treasured mementos of his 13 years with the club.
Full-back Alf made 433 appearances for Newcastle from 1949 to 1962 after signing from Linfield and won 40 caps with Northern Ireland.
And today at Olympia in London, Graham Budd Auctions in association with Sotheby's will sell Alf's 1952 FA Cup Final gold winner's medal and the black-and-white shirt he wore in United's triumph over Arsenal.
Also included is Alf's souvenir photograph album of the 1952 final plus his scrapbook pasted with a team-signed celebration dinner menu at the Savoy Hotel, telegrams, programme, match ticket, rosette and Press cuttings.
A silver miniature replica and plaque from Newcastle's Charity Shield games in 1951 and 1955 and international caps will also go under the hammer.
Alf, now in his 70s, later managed South Shields and his Irish home town team of Bangor near Belfast, before ending his working days at the city's Harland and Wolffe shipyard. Today he lives in Bangor with wife Lily. They went to the same school and were an inseparable couple from the age of 16.
They live near daughters Alison, whose husband Dennis Clough comes from Burradon in North Tyneside, Audrey and husband William Herron, and four grandchildren.
Alf told The Journal there had been a series of break-ins at the homes of former footballers and it was for his family's sake he was selling up.
"I hate to part with any of the collection but I would rather my family had some benefit from it," he said.
Alf, who was on £8 a week when he signed for United, described his time at Newcastle as "the happiest years of my life".
He said: "When we came away from Newcastle it was a heartache."
Alf played with greats such as winger Bobby Mitchell, keeper Ronnie Simpson, forward George Robledo, centre half Frank Brennan, and at away matches roomed with Jackie Milburn.
He said: "I remember the marvellous Newcastle fans. The one thing I miss is the Gallowgate roar.
"They are great supporters and those days at St James's Park will live with me for the rest of my days."
Alf has particularly fond memories of one fan who, in the days when supporters stood close to the pitch, would take up the same position each game and address comments to the United player on his performance.
"He didn't seem to like me for some reason .
"And before the kick-off I used to run up to where he was and say something like `I see you're back here again then' which always went down well with the other fans."
Highlights for Alf were the 1952 Wembley win and the Northern Ireland victory over England at Wembley.
That 3-2 win in the 1957-58 season was only the second time in 65 years Northern Ireland had beaten England.
"Wembley was a lucky ground for me," he said.
Alf's collection is rated at between £9,000-£13,000.
