New from Ananova Newcastle step in to salvage Milburn's medal collection

Jackie Milburn's prized football medals and memorabilia are to be given a new and fitting home by Newcastle United. Just weeks before the Tyneside legend's collection, including the three FA Cup medals he won during the 1950s, were due to be auctioned off, United have stepped in to purchase them for an undisclosed sum in a private agreement with his widow Laura.

The club plans to display the unique artefacts, which as well as the medals include souvenir programmes, FA Cup Final booklets, presentation salvers, international caps and one of Milburn's white England shirts, at a new museum within the redeveloped St James' Park.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to purchase this wonderful collection of memorabilia, and it is only right and fitting that fans will be able to enjoy seeing it when it is finally put on display at St James'Park."

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Answers

I hope Mrs Milburn got a decent price. A great attraction for NUFC.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

WHAT!!!! Pushing a billion pounds worth of debt and we're spending hard cash on some ald bits of tin. It'll be magic beans next!

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Just picked up the same story on our oniline site; the item reads:

Jackie Milburn's prized football medals and memorabilia are to be given a new and fitting home by Newcastle United.

The Tyneside legend's collection, including the three FA Cup medals he won during the 1950s, were due to be auctioned off in a few weeks.

But United have stepped in to purchase them for an undisclosed sum in a private agreement with his widow Laura.

The club plan to display the unique artefacts, which as well as the medals include souvenir programmes, FA Cup Final booklets, presentation salvers, international caps and one of Milburn's white England shirts, at a new museum within the redeveloped St James' Park.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to purchase this wonderful collection of memorabilia.

"It is only right and fitting that fans will be able to enjoy seeing it when it is finally put on display at St James' Park."

After so much negative crap about the club it's nice to see something really positive for a change.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I think this is good news. They would have probably gone to some private collector where none of us would ever get to see them. This way they can be displayed proudly at the club, for all to see.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

yes it's nice positive PR and it's good that the medals will be in the next best place to being with Jackie himself but i'm hoping that we didn't pay over the odds for them....we're skint remember

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

How much do you reckon they would fetch? 100k?

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

This is excellent news. The Club is doing the right thing, and deserves any good PR they get from it.
Apparently, Mrs. Milburn needs the bread, and I'm delighted that the Club have seen fit to financially assist the widow of one of our very greatest players. It is entirely right and proper that these key artefacts in our Club's history find their rightful home at SJP.

BTW Dread, the club debt is #70 million - some way short of a billion pounds.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Rik,

I read somewhere that the proposal was to offer Mrs. Milburn an annuity of a few thousand pounds per year for the rest of her life in exchange for the medals.
This would afford her the financial security she needs, and not be financially onerous for the Club. Given the pittance her husband earned from the game and the Club he graced with his very special talent, this can surely be not begrudged by anyone?
If this is what has indeed transpired, I believe it is a wonderfully creative solution to two problems, and that Freddie Shephard should be heartily congratulated for it.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Alright then Clarky, I was being facetious. However #70 mill owed plus #20 mill loss is #90 mill which is close enough to an American billion, although slightly less than a British billion.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I agree that it's wonderful that we have his medals and that we have sorted something out for his wife. Incidentally, other organisations might have helped her - the PFA said that they would do what they could. You have to ask questions of Charlton freres, though, don't you? Jackie Milburn taught them how to play football and gave them guidance all their playing lives and they are both rich men: you can't help wondering why neither of them (apparently) helps her out. The sad thing is that there are many ex-United players living in penury - the great Alf McMichael is apparently in straightened circumstances in Northern Ireland. I'm sure that the club could do some sort of testimonial for the benefit of our great servants who are living in poverty in their old ages - would do PR no end of good and it would be a great feel good thing. Regarding the money we are splashing out on the medals - I think it's probably a relative drop in the ocean. The medals are also a great asset for the forthcoming United museum which will be a money- spinner. BTW, does anyone know who got the Milburn shirt that was auctioned a week or two ago?

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Dougal - which Milburn shirt was auctioned? Do you know where and for how much?

As for the value of Milburn's haul, Rik, there's not much footy memorabilia that goes for more than few grand. Although Geoff Hursts '66 WC Final shirt went for about #80k, I think, that must be just about the most collectable item in British football history. A shirt from the 56 cup final went for #3k in March, which gives you an idea of the typical value of these things. Medals would generally go for up to a few grand too, I reckon.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I think it was the '55 Cup Final and it went for #5400 (ish).

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

New museum ? Other clubs call it the trophy cabinet. :-)))

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Dread, an American billion is still a thousand million, An English billion is a million million.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

it even got a mention in the london metro newspaper this morning so it's gotta be good publicity for the club...

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000