Being a massive Derby County fan, it’s always a thrill for me when sports memorabilia relating to the Rams comes in – it’s enough to spark a Hanson-style goal celebration, writes Charles Hanson.
I won’t subject you to a vision of wild air-punching and knee sliding, but I will tell you about two new finds that have delighted me.
A Ron Webster shirt from the Rams’ famous 1971-72 League Division One Championship-winning season has come in. It will go under the hammer in our May 23 Football in Focus and Sports Memorabilia Auction, estimate £800-£1,200.
Ron Webster, now 75, was born in Belper in 1943 and spent nearly all his playing career at Derby County. The right back was a fans’ favourite thanks to his hard tackles and effort. He’s viewed as being one of the most loyal Rams players ever.
He played 455 league games for Derby, from 1960–1978, scoring seven times. He was part of the Brian Clough and Peter Taylor era and continued his success under Dave Mackay. In 2009 he was voted the greatest right back in Derby’s history.
As you can imagine, we’re proud to be selling his shirt. In our last sports auction, an Alan Hinton shirt from the same DCFC season made £2,600. Meanwhile, a shirt worn by Rams legend Kevin Hector in his final game for Derby on May 15, 1982, sold for £800.
Our sports valuer Alistair Lofley says shirts from championship-winning seasons are always going to be extra special thanks to the romance of the club’s glory days. He’d love to see a full line up of DCFC legends’ shirts from the 1971-72 or 1974-75 championship-winning seasons up for auction. Can you help him?
Another Rams find that’s surprised us is the discovery of a metal cigarette case presented to former Derby County manager George Jobey in 1926 from Göteborgsalliansen.
Göteborgsalliansen was a football alliance created in 1921 by three Gothenburg clubs, GAIS, IFK Göteborg and Örgryte IS. They dominated Swedish football at the time and joined forces to arrange international games.
Jobey became Rams manager in 1925 and was an immediate success. He led them to promotion in 1925-26 and twice secured runners-up place in the First Division in 1929-30 and 1935-36. It was one of the club’s most successful eras.
However, in 1941 he was accused of making illegal payments to players as an inducement for them to sign for Derby. A Football Association inquiry found him guilty and banned him from football for life. Jobey’s suspension was lifted in 1945, but apart from a year in charge of Mansfield Town in 1952, he remained out of the game. He died in Derby in 1962 aged 76.
It’s sad to think that the career of such a successful Rams manager ended like that. Let this humble, engraved cigarette case remind us of the good times. Its rarity and football pedigree means it carries an estimate of £400-£600.
Entries are invited for our Football in Focus Auction until May 3. To arrange a free valuation email: [email protected]. Free valuations available at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, every Wednesday, 5-7pm, every Friday, 10am-4pm, and every Saturday, 9am-noon. Sports expert Alistair Lofley available April 6, 9am-noon.
