Mystery as England star with ‘stellar career’ flogs amazing £250,000 collection of seven shirts he swapped at Italia 90

A FORMER England star’s collection of football shirts he amassed during the Italia 1990 World Cup could fetch £250,000 at auction.

The match-worn retro shirts were exchanged with opposition players who competed against England in one of the most memorable World Cup tournaments of all time.

BNPSAn England star’s Italia 90 shirt collection dubbed ‘the magnificent seven’ is up for sale[/caption]

However, mystery surrounds which Three Lions star is flogging the shirts after auctioneers refused to reveal his identity due to client confidentiality reasons.

Hansons Auctioneers could only say he played a “crucial role in Italia 1990” and enjoyed a “stellar career in football.”

The unique collection includes Andy Townsend’s Republic of Ireland jersey and shirts worn by Klaus Augenthaler of West Germany and Italy’s Giuseppe Giannini.

Shirts exchanged with Johannes van’t Schip, of Holland; Sader Eid, of Egypt; Marc van der Linden, of Belgium; and Emmanuel Kunde, of Cameroon are also being sold.

The seven shirts – described as ‘the magnificent seven’ by Hansons – have a guide price of £150,000-£250,000.

In addition, a shirt worn by Peter Shilton during England’s heartbreaking semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany is also being sold in the auction.

The iconic yellow goalkeeper top, signed by the England squad, is expected to fetch £40,000-£50,000.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “For any die-hard England fan this is an amazing opportunity to own iconic football memorabilia.

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“This unique set of retro shirts sweeps us back to a tournament that will stay forever etched in millions of memories.

“It took place before social media and the internet dominated life but its impact was huge.

“The excitement generated by England’s success captivated the nation, mainly thanks to the impact of rising star Paul Gascoigne.

“Even today, 33 years after the event, many people instantly recall an iconic image of Gascoigne wiping away tears, overcome with emotion.

“It became a defining photo of Italia 1990 symbolising England and Gascoigne’s passion for the game.”

Gascoigne, then aged only 23 and England’s youngest player in the tournament, became distraught after picking up a yellow card in the 98th minute of England’s semi-final clash against Germany.

Due to a caution picked up earlier in the tournament, he instantly knew he would be unable to play in the World Cup final.

GettyPaul Gascoigne’s tears and displays at Italia 90 made him a national hero[/caption]

Sadly, Italia 1990 was not only Gazza’s first World Cup, it was his last and represented the peak of his turbulent career.

Charles added: “Italia 1990 is remembered for Gazza’s tears.

“He’d already warmed fans’ hearts with his exhilarating performances. His visible emotion demonstrated his love for his country and the national game.

“It endeared him to the nation. He became a national hero dominating the front pages. Gazzamania was born.

“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.”

The group stage saw England draw against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland before a 1-0 victory over Egypt took them through to the knock-out stages.

The excitement of making the last 16 reached fever pitch when England beat Belgium 1-0 with a stunning volley from David Platt in the last minute of extra time.

GettyPeter Shilton is selling his goalkeeper jersey from Italia 90[/caption]

The streak continued in the quarter finals with a 3-2 win over Cameroon before the inevitable pain of losing on penalties to Germany in the semis broke the nations hearts.

Germany went on to beat Argentina in the final to win the tournament. England finished fourth after losing 2-1 to Italy.

Charles 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.”

Bids are being invited by private tender.