With the Euros in full swing, today's Object of the Week has a football theme - a 100-year-old FA Cup winners medal awarded to one of the match-winning heroes.
When Newcastle United won the FA Cup on April 26, 1924, the hero of the game was goalkeeper William Bradley.
Newcastle's opponents that day were Aston Villa. By all accounts, it was a good game, with only the brilliance of Newcastle goalkeeper Bradley, a Gateshead lad, keeping the score at 0-0 until the closing minutes.
Bradley was the reserve who only got the call-up when the first-choice keeper was injured in the last match before the final.
Six minutes from the end, with extra time looming, Newcastle swept up the field, a shot from Tommy Macdonald was parried by Villa keeper Tommy Jackson and Newcastle centre forward Neil Harris pounced to score.
Villa immediately missed a chance to equalise only for Newcastle to swoop down the other end and Stan Seymour slammed an unstoppable shot into the net from the left. The Magpies’ supporters greeted it with “what seemed like a wolves’ chorus of delight”, said The Northern Echo.
This was just the second time that the final had been played at Wembley - and it was the second time that Newcastle had won the FA Cup.
In some quarters it is known as the 'Rainy Day Final' because of the weather. Programmes in good condition from that day fetch the most of any Wembley final as they got so splattered by the rain.
Bradely's FA Cup winner's medal from that day, along with other match memorabilia and an inscribed pocket watch, have been sold by Anderson and Garland Auctioneers of Newcastle for more than £10,000 (including fees).
Following a competitive bidding war both online and via telephone, the hammer price settled at £7,800 - or £10,140 including the buyer’s premium.
The medal was consigned directly by William Bradley’s family, who are pleased to see it go to a public home.
Mr Bradley, the grandson of William Bradley, said: “Growing up, I always heard tales about Billy's exceptional performance on the field, including the dramatic save of a penalty. Sadly, I've never been able to find any concrete evidence to validate these stories.
"My grandfather passed away before I had the chance to meet him, but his legend as a Cup hero and local celebrity was a constant presence in my upbringing.
"Now, as I hand over the medal that has been tucked away since I inherited it, I feel pleased to share it with the world, especially in this centenary year.
Read about some previous Objects of the Week:
- How Sunderland and Newcastle found themselves in Civil War opposition
- Remains of hillfort in County Durham could unlock secrets of ancient conflicts
- Plaque sheds light on illustrious history of building - and its members
"Hearing from my father about how football kept my grandfather largely out of the horrors of the First World War, with the army utilizing him for morale-boosting exhibition matches, adds another layer of complexity to his story.”
Julian Thompson, director at Anderson & Garland, who sold the medal at Anderson House in Newcastle, added: “The excitement in the room as the hammer came down was akin to a penalty shootout.
"We are pleased to have sold this FA Cup medal on behalf of William Bradley’s family and hope the new owner is very happy with their piece of sporting history.”
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