Notts County fans have the chance to buy a piece of history honouring their club’s glory days thanks to a discovery by a sporting magpie.
Alistair Lofley, sports valuer at Hansons Auctioneers, has found a gold League Division Two winner’s medal awarded to John Edward Wren, known as Jack, when Notts County were crowned champions in the 1922-23 season.
The medal, together with a commemorative gold pocket watch marking the same event, will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers’ Football in Focus Auction on May 23 with an estimate of £3,000-£5,000.
Mr Lofley said: “This is a great historical find. The medal is nearly 100 years old and relates to a club with a proud history. Notts County were founded in 1862 which makes them the oldest professional association football club in the world. The club predates The Football Association itself and became one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888.
“They were crowned Second Division champions for a third time in the 1922-23 campaign and Jack Wren played a key role in that success in what was his first season at Meadow Lane.
“According my research, Wren was an industrious player and captain material. He knew every move on the board and tackled fearlessly – the sort of player fans love. Let’s hope a Magpies fan will bring the medal, which I found in Bristol, to Nottinghamshire.”
Wren, who lived from 1894-1948, originated from Bristol. He made 63 appearance for Notts County, playing half back from 1922-1925. His career also took him to Millwall, Bristol City and Southport.
In Hansons’ last sports auction, a gold 1954 FA Cup winner’s medal awarded to West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Norman Heath sold for £13,000 to a devoted Baggies fan.
Alistair Lofley will be doing free sports memorabilia valuations at Trowell Garden Centre, Stapleford Road, Trowell, NG9 3TG, on April 25, 11am-2pm. General valuations also available. Entries are invited until May 3 for Hansons’ next Football in Focus and Sporting Memorabilia Auction. To arrange a free valuation, email [email protected] or call him on 07863 203377.
