A mystery former England footballer “who played a crucial role in Italia 1990” is putting a collection of shirts from the classic World Cup on sale.
Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers is putting the eight shirts on sale which are both Three Lions’ kits and their opponents’ jerseys from the team’s run to the semi-finals.
Charles Hanson, owner of the auction firm, said the shirts could sell for a collective £300,000 but is not at liberty to disclose whose shirts they are.
“He played a crucial role in Italia 1990 and enjoyed a stellar career in football,” Mr Hanson said of the player. Peter Shilton, Gary Lineker, John Barnes, and Paul Gascoigne were among the 22 who helped England reach the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Germany.
Indeed, Shilton’s signed jersey is the one England kit going on sale. The other shirts are from Republic of Ireland’s Andy Townsend, Johannes van’t Schip from the Netherlands, Egypt’s Sader Eid, Belgium’s Marc van der Linden, Emmanuel Kunde from Cameroon, West Germany’s Klaus Augenthaler, and Italy’s Giuseppe Giannini.
The final one was collected after England lost to Italy in the third place play-off.
Mr Hanson added: “This unique set of retro shirts sweeps us back to a tournament that will stay forever etched in millions of memories.”
England’s World Cup squad from Italy 1990
Peter Shilton
The goalkeeper was 40 when England played their matches but at club level he continued between the sticks for another seven years.
Gary Stevens
One of four Rangers players in the line-up, the right-back played the first match before being replaced.
Stuart Pearce
The defender played at left-back throughout the tournament but was one of two players to miss a penalty in the eventual defeat to West Germany.
Neil Webb
The Manchester United midfielder made his solitary appearance of the competition in the third-place playoff defeat by Italy.
Des Walker
The centre-back was one of England’s best players at the tournament and two years later he earned a club move to Italy, where he played for Sampdoria.
Terry Butcher
The veteran defender was a mainstay for England alongside Walker and became captain when Bryan Robson succumbed to an injury.
Bryan Robson
England’s captain suffered an injury in just the second game, meaning his involvement was hampered for two world cups in a row.
Chris Waddle
A key player for England, he saw his shot in the semi-final hit the post when a goal would all but have guaranteed qualification to the final.
Peter Beardsley
The midfielder was an ever-present for Liverpool and England in the late 1980s.
Gary Lineker
England’s star striker had a strong tournament, scoring four goals, and would end his international career with a near-record 48 goals.
John Barnes
The Jamaican-born winger’s most famous contribution was performing the rap that featured in New Order’s World in Motion.
Paul Parker
The right-back replaced Gary Stevens to be the first choice for most of the tournament.
Chris Woods
The seasoned goalkeeper was a long-time back-up to Shilton.
Mark Wright
Played a key role in several positions to help England progress and later played in the Euro 1992 and Euro 1996 tournaments.
Tony Dorigo
Having grown up in Australia, Dorigo joked that England’s defence was so bad at the time that he needed to change nationality to provide cover.
Steve McMahon
A bit part-player, he featured in a few of England’s matches as the Liverpool midfielder’s career effectively ended after the 1990 World Cup.
David Platt
A legend for Aston Villa and Arsenal, Platt scored three times from midfield throughout the World Cup and was one of England’s best players.
Steve Hodge
Part of the all-conquering Nottingham Forest side, Hodge was the only outfield England player not to kick a ball during the tournament.
Paul Gascoigne
The attacking midfielder had a colourful life off and on field and last week kissed Prince William on a surprise encounter in a Bournemouth Pret a Manger.
Trevor Steven
Started only the third-place play-off against Italy for Bobby Robson’s side but did come off the bench in other matches.
Steve Bull
The long-time Wolverhampton Wanderers played four times but did not score.
Dave Beasant
The third-choice goalkeeper was a late replacement for David Seaman.
