THE cash-strapped wife of North-East football legend Jackie Milburn has been forced to put his FA Cup medals up for sale.

But now an 11th hour rescue package may save her from parting with the precious memorabilia.

Newcastle United's famous striker was the hero of St James's Park during a prolific career with the Magpies in the 1940s and 50s.

His footballing heroics brought him worldwide acclaim, but failed to make him mega-rich like today's superstars of the game.

Now his desperate widow, Laura, 71, is being forced to auction his treasured possessions in a bid to make ends meet.

She said: "It was a soul searching decision but one we as a family have sadly had to make. I've been 12 years on my own now.

"Jackie never made any money as a player and was self employed as a journalist after he finished playing. He had no pension we could fall back on."

Last night, however, it seemed as though she may be saved from the heartache of parting with memories of "Wor Jackie's" finest achievements.

The Professional Footballers' Association is keen to keep the game's prized possessions, such as FA Cup medals, in this country.

In the past it has stepped in with cash to stop memorabilia from going abroad.

A source at the PFA told The Northern Echo that the players' union would consider helping Laura to keep the medals or would bid for the items at auction.

A spokesperson said: "We, as a union, would like to do something to help. People do have pride and we do a lot of things that nobody knows about.

"When it comes to memorabilia, the union is proactive about keeping it in the game.

"There could be a way that she doesn't have to sell the medals."

Jack Charlton, a World Cup winner and nephew of Jackie Milburn, was sympathetic to Laura's situation.

He told The Northern Echo: "I fully understand what she is doing and why she's doing it. Jackie played at a time when there was no great amount of money around."

And the former England great said he would expect his wife Pat to do the same if she was in a similar predicament.

"I would expect Pat to sell my medals if she got in a situation where she needed to," Jack said.

"There's no point keeping medals if you can sell them and make good money. Most people would do the same.

"The fact Jackie died quite a while ago means Laura has been without a great deal of income for some time."

Among Jackie's treasure trove are three FA Cup medals, two England caps, a World Cup medal he was presented with in Rio in 1950, several personal contracts and a host of trophies from his time with Linfield in Ireland.

They are due for auction on a date to be arranged in Morpeth, Northumberland