IT’S appeal may have dipped in modern times, but when it comes to medals the FA Cup is still the most sought after prize of all.

The medal collection of former Everton player, physio, trainer and coach Harry Cooke went under the hammer at Bonham’s in Chester last week.

It was a unique collection.

It included FA Cup winner’s medals, League title winner’s medals, a Second Division title medal , a medal from the famed Barcelona Cup competition Everton competed for in 1924, a 1914 Central League winner’s medal, numerous Liverpool Senior Cup winner’s medals and seven commemorative medals for representing England on international duty.

Among 24 lots to be auctioned there were also Liverpool County FA medals, a bronze plaque from a tour match to Stuttgart in 1936, Blackpool Hospital Cup medals and a silver cigarette case monogrammed with the initials HC. But it was the FA Cup souvenirs which commanded the most interest.

The 1906 FA Cup winner’s medal, the first time the trophy came to Merseyside, was sold for £5,625, while the 1933 medal went for £4,375.

League Championship medals were next – yielding £1,875 for the 1928 medal, £3,125 for the 1932 version and £1,625 for the 1939 medal – while Harry’s 1933 Charity Shield medal went for £2,250 and the Division Two winner’s medal from 1931 a more modest £937.

The beautiful Barcelona Cup medal from 1924 went for a bargain £437 while the 1914 Central league, two Liverpool Senior Cup medals and two Blackpool Hospital Cup medals each went for £687 including commission.