Five pieces of football history offered at huge soccer memorabilia auction

The auction comprises items that were originally collected by Tony Bakker, a British businessman who founded the software company Blackbaud and helped set up the US football team Charleston Battery in South Carolina.

Bakker, who held a majority stake, sold the club in 2016 and is no longer the owner of the memorabilia. With the Charleston Battery stadium now being demolished, the collection is being offered in an online timed auction being conducted by Schneider Industries. It features over 800 lots and, although none of the lots have published individual estimates, they are collectively thought be worth several hundred thousand US dollars.

Most items were purchased at auctions in the UK and examples include numerous signed shirts, footballs, photographs and boots as well as more unusual offerings such as a turnstile from the Anfield Road end at Liverpool’s stadium.

Bidding at the timed auction is now open and is scheduled to end on March 11 at

9am CST (3pm GMT).

The full catalogue can be viewed on thesaleroom.com and below is our pick of five highlights from the sale.

1. Gary Lineker’s last England shirt

The No 10 jersey worn by Gary Lineker in his final game for England which is offered in an online auction being conducted by Schneider Industries. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

Gary Lineker’s shirt worn in his final match for England features in the auction of ‘soccer’ memorabilia being conducted by Schneider Industries.

The match against Sweden in the 1992 European Championship was not the striker’s finest hour – he was controversially taken off by manager Graham Taylor as England lost the match 2-1 and went crashing out of the tournament in the group stages. It was a deflating end to the international career of one of the country’s greatest goalscorers.

Lineker, who was captain that day but was replaced by Alan Smith in the 62nd minute, ended his international career with 48 goals, only one behind Bobby Charlton who was top of the all-time list of England goal scorers at the time.

The No 10 jersey comes framed and is signed by 22 members of the England party. It was purchased at auction at Sotheby's Olympia in July 1998.

View the catalogue entry for this Gary Linkeker shirt on thesaleroom.com.

2. David Beckham’s Italy vs England shirt

David Beckham’s shirt from the England World Cup qualifier against Italy away in 1997. It features in the auction being held by Schneider Industries. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

Another lot on offer relating to another former England captain is David Beckham’s shirt from the World Cup qualifier against Italy away in 1997. A battling 0-0 draw meant England secured qualification for the World Cup in France the following year.

Beckham was a relatively young talent with 11 England caps at the time, four years before he would be appointed captain. The shirt from that famous night in Rome is signed by Beckham and 20 England players from the squad.

View the catalogue entry for this David Beckham shirt on thesaleroom.com.

3. Nat Lofthouse’s England vs Wales shirt

The England No 9 shirt worn by Nat Lofthouse against Wales in a World Cup qualifying match in Cardiff in 1953. It is offered at the auction being held by Schneider Industries along with a group of signed photographs. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

Among the older shirts on offer is an England No 9 jersey worn by Nat Lofthouse against Wales in a World Cup qualifying match in Cardiff in October 1953. England won 4-1 with Lofthouse scoring a two of the goals.

The shirt, which had previously sold at a Mullock Madeley sporting memorabilia auction in October 2000, comes with four signed photographs of Lofthouse as well as a team photo from the game.

View the catalogue entry for this Nat Lofthouse shirt on thesaleroom.com

4. Football signed by Bobby Moore

A leather football bearing numerous autographs of an England squad c.1962, including Bobby Moore. It is offered in an online auction being conducted by Schneider Industries. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

This leather football bears numerous autographs of an England squad from c.1962, including World-Cup winning captain Bobby Moore. It had previously sold at Christie's in London in December 1998.

View the catalogue entry for this leather football on thesaleroom.com

5. Signed England print

A limited edition print of England’s 1996 World Cup winners signed in pencil by Sir Alf Ramsey and 11 of the players. It is offered in an online auction being conducted by Schneider Industries. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

This limited edition print of England’s 1996 World Cup winners is signed in pencil by Sir Alf Ramsey and 11 of the players. It had previously sold at Sotheby's in September 2001.

View the catalogue entry for this 1966 limited edition print on thesaleroom.com.

6. Liverpool turnstile

A turnstile that had formerly been used at the Anfield Road end of Liverpool’s stadium. It is offered in an online auction being conducted by Schneider Industries. Bidding is scheduled to end on March 11.

This turnstile comes from the Anfield Road end of Liverpool’s famous Anfield stadium which was built in c.1884. It was removed at end of season 1996-97 as the stadium underwent redevelopment. It had previously sold at Sotheby's in September 2001.

View the catalogue entry for this Anfield turnstile on thesaleroom.com.