An unnamed member of England’s Italia 1990 World Cup squad is auctioning seven football shirts he received from opposition players during the tournament, including an Ireland shirt.
The shirts were all worn by or match-issued to opposition players during the tournament, including Irish midfielder Andy Townsend, Belgian striker Marc van der Linden and Italy’s Giuseppe Giannini.
The yellow shirt worn by England goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, during England’s semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to West Germany will also be available, having been signed by the England squad.
The shirts are being offered by Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers, with the international shirts given a guide price of £150,000 to £250,000 (€175,000 to €290,000), while Shilton’s jersey has an estimate of £40,000 to £50,000.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This is the first time a complete and unique set of football shirts relating to England’s Italia 1990 tournament have been available to buy.
“Peter Shilton’s shirt is equally iconic.
“He gave it away to our vendor in the dressing room after the pain of that penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany.
“Due to client confidentiality, we cannot reveal which former England star is parting with his collection.
“However, he played a crucial role in Italia 1990 and enjoyed a stellar career in football.”
The Italia 90 tournament is still vividly remembered by many Ireland fans.
The collection of international strips represents each of the teams England faced in the tournament, including Ireland.
As well as Townsend, van der Linden, and Giannini, the collection features shirts previously belonging to Dutch winger Johannes van’t Schip, Sader Eid of Egypt, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Kunde and Klaus Augenthaler of West Germany.
Mr Hanson said: “For any die-hard England fan this is an amazing opportunity to own iconic football memorabilia.
“This unique set of retro shirts sweeps us back to a tournament that will stay forever etched in millions of memories.
“These shirts are the magnificent seven, seven shirts from England’s seven games in a tournament which saw England’s heroes inch unbearably close to the final.
“As well as Gazza, players like Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, John Barnes, Stuart Pearce and Peter Beardsley delivered a spectacle in Italy on a par with an operatic feast, the agony and the ecstasy.
“If you watched it, you will never forget it.”
Bids for the shirts are invited by private tender, which can be submitted by contacting Hansons.
