Football
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Stanley Matthews' 1953 FA Cup winner's medal sells for £220,000

The family of the late Sir Stanley Matthews have expressed their delight at the 220,000-pound record-breaking sale of his 1953 FA Cup winner's medal.

Presenter and comedian Nick Hancock put the item up for auction at Sotheby's and having far exceeded its anticipated 60,000-pound price, the famous Stoke fan will donate a sum from the proceeds to the former winger's foundation.

"It's wonderful news, and shows the passion and remembrance the public still have for Pop," said Matthews' daughter Jean Matthews Gough in a statement on behalf of the family.

"It would have made Pop so happy; when you consider he thought the medal was originally lost, only to discover it had been found in the attic of a house he had lived in 40 years previously."

Matthews was the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards, and played until 50 years old in a career that 34 years (1932-65).

The England international received the FA Cup winner's medal after guiding his Blackpool side to a dramatic 4-3 victory over Bolton, who had led 3-1 with 35 minutes to go.

Next year is the centenary of Matthews' birth and his foundation, run by volunteers, has pledged to help more than 10,000 youngsters gain access to a high-class sporting experience in their local schools and sports clubs by raising 100,000 pounds.

Former England striker Jimmy Greaves sold his 1966 World Cup winner's medal for 44,000 pounds on Monday at Sotheby's.

Greaves missed out on a medal at the tournament -- only the 11 winning players on the pitch in the final received a medal, and he was not selected -- though a campaign in 2007 led to FIFA changing the rules, with England's reserves honoured thereafter.

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