Football hero to sell medals to help kids buy their homes
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LIVERPOOL football legend Terry McDermott revealed yesterday that he is selling his treasured European Cup winners medals to help his children to buy their homes.
The medals are among a haul of honours and mementos the midfielder won during a glittering career.
McDermott, 66, is hoping to raise £150,000 from the sale at an auction in London on May 22.
The former England star – who was capped 25 times – helped Liverpool to three European Cup triumphs along with five First Division titles.
He revealed his plans as his former team prepare to play a semi-final against Roma tonight in their bid to win Europe’s most coveted trophy for a sixth time.
Scouser McDermott, who also had two spells at Newcastle United, has two sons and a daughter, Rachel, who he wants to look after.
His sons Neale and Greg both played lower league football.
McDermott said: “I’ve got three kids who are doing very nicely but I want to give them something before I die. They can pay off the mortgage.”
McDermott’s wife Carole successfully beat breast cancer after undergoing chemotherapy in 2016.
He added: “I don’t need the money. But I don’t need medals to be proud of what I’ve done.
Wonderful
“I already know – and that will not go away.”
During eight trophy-laden years with Liverpool, McDermott became a fans’ favourite because of his swashbuckling style and memorable goals from midfield.
He is still a match day ambassador at Liverpool home games at their Anfield stadium.
McDermott is hoping to raise £15,000 each for the European Cup winners medals he won in 1977, 1980 and 1981.
The collection of 43 items also includes four league title plaques.
Although he helped Liverpool to the 1975-76 title he played just eight games at the start of his career at the club and was not eligible for a gong.
In the 1979-80 season he won a prestigious double, being Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
Both of the awards are included in the sale and valued at £6,000.
McDermott was known for his spectacular goals and he scored the BBC Match Of The Day goal of the season in 1977.
The honour – awarded for his strike in Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Everton that year – is tipped to sell for £1,500.
The sale also includes McDermott’s 1982 League Cup winner’s medal from his final season at Liverpool.
Auctioneer Graham Budd said: “The auction is a time-of-life thing for Terry.
“He is planning the future and this for sale gives football fans the chance to get hold of some very valuable material. It is a wonderful collection.
“There is the prestigious double of his PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards, and his Match of the Day goal of the season award for that special goal against Everton in the FA Cup semi final.
“Terry has told me selling his medals will not take away his memories of those great times.
“He’s got to plan for the future, which is just the reality of life.”
The auction takes place four days before the Champions League final in Kiev, Ukraine, which could feature Liverpool if they can hold on to their three goal advantage in the semi-final second leg against Roma tonight.