Fans can cash in at Macc

Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire. Together, they have launched specialist football auctions to feed the country’s love for its national sport.

Charles Hanson said: “Football is universally loved and, thanks to the fact that buyers can bid with us online as well as in our saleroom, we can reach supporters all over the world.”

Entries are open for Hansons’ Sporting Memorabilia Auction on February 22 and Alistair hopes Macclesfield fans will come out in force with classic items.

As well as programmes, matchworn shirts, ticket stubs from important games and rare autographs can be valuable.

He said: “One of the best finds I ever made was in 1990. I was invited round to a house and the owner pulled out an old suitcase packed full of programmes.”

Among them was a 1932 Arsenal v Newcastle FA Cup final programme, a 1938 England v Scotland programme and another from a Scotland v England game in 1937.

There was also a 1936 FA Cup semifinal programme. They’d all been kept by his grandad.

Alistair was momentarily dumbstruck. “I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“They were in such mint condition I thought they might not be genuine. I explained that might be the case and offered him £120 for the lot, which he was happy with.

“But they turned out to be the real thing. I sold them two days later for £950. If I’d hung on to them they would be worth £25,000 now.”

Alistair will carry out free valuations at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose Stadium, London Road, Macclesfield SK11 7SP, on January 27, from 10.30am2.30pm.

To find out more, call Alistair on 07863 203377.