This relic of an historic English football ground could soon be yours

 

 

When it comes to football memorabilia, British collectors lead the way.

Not even the soccer hotbeds of Spain and Italy can match the desire to own football collectibles shown in the UK.

So it should come as little surprise that a turnstile from Stoke City's old Victoria Ground is expected to do well as collectors submit their bids over the coming weeks.

The Potters moved to their new premises in 1997, auctioning off many of their redundant items from the old ground in the process, reports local newspaper the Sentinel.


Stoke City’s Victoria Ground hosted the FA Cup semi-final between Woolwich Arsenal and Newcastle

"After the last match at the Victoria Ground, some fans were taking bits of turf and the seats where they sat, but I thought I'd get something a bit more unusual," the turnstile's current owner, Andy Bailey, told the newspaper.

The turnstile was made by Salford-based WT Ellison & Co, which went out of business in 1963.

"We had to put in bids in an envelope, and my offer of £40 for a turnstile was accepted. I think a lot of the other turnstiles went to non-league clubs around the country," added Bailey.

We expect this piece could make significantly more than that figure now, 14 years on.

Memorabilia from major sports venues can often interest collectors with a personal connection to the place. Such pieces regularly exceed valuations.

Earlier this month, a 1920s wooden seat from Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow was snapped up by a football memorabilia collector for £1,000, well above its £300 estimate.

Even theatre seats can sell. Benches and seats from Liverpool's Everyman Playhouse are currently up for grabs as part of the venue's £28m redevelopment.

 

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