A former Northern Ireland footballer is auctioning his memorabilia collection, including his FA Cup winner’s medal.
David McCreery, who played for Manchester United and Newcastle United, was capped 67 times in a 24-year international career. His collection, which will be auctioned next month, is valued at between £70,000 and £100,000. It consists of 60 items, ranging from caps and club shirts to tracksuits, and is being sold by a private vendor.
The auction, which also involves other memorabilia, is set to take place on October 1-2 at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
Graham Budd Auctions, whose last auction saw collectors from 42 countries compete, will host the bidding, which will also be live on its website.
David McCreery in his Manchester United playing days
David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at the auction house, said this is a rare opportunity to snap up sought-after memorabilia.
“Very much so,” he stressed.
“It’s that sort of era, and this doesn’t happen very often, especially the Manchester United items that have such high estimates because they’re so rare to get hold of.”
Belfast-born midfielder McCreery played for Manchester United between 1974 and 1979 and later spent seven years with Newcastle United. Among the items up for auction are McCreery’s 1977 Manchester United FA Cup winner’s medal, valued between £13,000 and £15,000.
David McCreery’s 1982 Northern Ireland shirt
Other notable lots include his 1976 jersey from his time with the Red Devils, as well as a short-sleeve Northern Ireland shirt from the year the international squad defeated hosts Spain in the 1982 World Cup.
McCreery, who was a key player for NI during that tournament, also represented Northern Ireland at the next World Cup in Mexico.
1977 FA Cup winner’s medal
His long-sleeve shirt from that 1986 competition, in the iconic green and white, will go under the hammer with the price tag estimated between £200-£220. Auction-goers will also have the opportunity to own jersey swaps that McCreery collected during his playing career.
This includes a rare white Real Madrid shirt, adorned with the number six, from the Manchester United centenary match in 1978.
A 1989 Chile top worn by Gabriel ‘Coca’ Mendoza during an international friendly will be up for offer too.
Bids are also open for McCreery’s Northern Ireland international caps through the years, including his 1981/82 piece which is estimated to fetch between £1,000 and £1,200.
David McCreery’s Northern Ireland tracksuit
Caps are one of the more unique items in the collection, as Northern Ireland was one of the few countries to offer them to their players for appearances.
“For all us poor people who never got to play international football, this is the next best thing,” Mr Convery said.
“You have the chance to own something that was presented to your hero.”
McCreery’s items go under the hammer on October 1, with lots 1-287 open at 10am and lots 288-584 at 2pm. Football fans will also have the opportunity to purchase more rare retro gear the following day.