Bonhams has sold the 1958 FA Cup winner's medal presented to Nat Lofthouse as part of a collection of his items in its Chester auction of sports memorabilia.
 Lofthouse led Bolton to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United, who were still in mourning following the Munich air disaster |
The medal sold for £20,625 ($33,010) this afternoon (November 6), as a superb piece from the famous final, which saw Lofthouse's Bolton Wanderers win 2-0 over Manchester United, who were still reeling from the Munich air disaster three months before.
Lofthouse scored both goals in the match, though his second goal remains controversial. The centre forward barged keeper Harry Gregg into the goal to score, which was a legitimate tactic, but Lofthouse later admitted it should have been a foul.
Lofthouse (1925-2011) played his entire career for Bolton Wanderers and was capped 33 times for England. He stands seventh on the list of the top goal scorers in English football.
Also appearing was Lofthouse's 1953 Footballer of the Year award. The award, given to the Bolton Wanderers centre forward by the English Football Writers Association, made £12,500 ($20,006).
1953 was also the year of the famous FA Cup final, dubbed the Matthews Final, which saw Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews lead his team to a 4-3 victory, despite having been 3-1 down to Bolton. Lofthouse scored one goal, but this could not keep the marauding Blackpool at bay.
In February 2010, the boots worn by Matthews in the final sold through Bonhams for £38,400 ($61,619).
See our interview with Kevin Moore, director of the National Football Museum, to find out more about the market for football memorabilia.
We have a fantastic selection of football memorabilia for sale, including signed items from the 1966 England team.
