RARE football medals which belonged to a Crewe Alex legend from the 19th century are going under the hammer.
An FA Cup trophy and Olympic Games medals are among treasured items won by former Gresty Road star Jackie Pearson up for auction.
The player found fame during an 11-year spell with the Alex from 1884 to 1895 when he showed off his talent playing as inside forward.
He competed in the Combination League and the Football Alliance, before becoming the club's first player to score in the newly-formed Football League Second Division.
Pearson later went on to become one of England's top referees, officiating at both the 1911 FA Cup Final and in the 1908 Olympic Games in London.
Now his collection of medals, which includes the rare Olympic referee's medal valued at £1,200, are up for sale at Halls Fine Art Auctioneers in Shrews-bury next Wednesday.
The eight lots, which have a total estimate value of £2,000, have been brought to sale by a relative.
Crewe Alex historian Harold Finch said Pearson lived in Crewe in Nantwich Road or Culland Road and went on to win one England cap.
Christina Trevanion, of Halls Fine Art, said: 'Apparently there were not many referees at the 1908 Olympic Games, so medals are quite rare.'
