Medal

The first Olympic medals won by a black British athlete together with his sporting memorabilia sold at Hansons today.

Jack London (1905-66) became the first black British athlete to win an Olympic medal when he was awarded bronze in the 4x4 100 metres relay and a silver in the 100 metres sprint in the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.

Dix Noonan Webb (DNW) has become the first UK numismatics auctioneer to set its buyer’s premium beyond 20%. The London-based coins, medal and jewellery specialist will charge a premium of 24% from September.

Manchester United fans distraught at the prospect of their arch-rivals City or… shudder… even Liverpool winning the title this season can perhaps take solace from earlier Red Devils successes.

Harold Hardman’s journey from amateur footballer and solicitor to chairman of Manchester United in the era of the Busby Babes is a fascinating story in itself. But a medal coming up for auction in Oxford on November 14 adds even more appeal.

From FIFA to F1, Olympics to boxing, Julien’s offers some knock out lots in its November sale

One thing you can rely on every summer is the outraged stories in the press about the sums being spent by Premier League football clubs on the great, the good and the Jozy Altidores.

When you hear that a team with ‘Auckland’ in the title won the first football World Cup, two obvious questions immediately come to mind: the first World Cup was surely won by Uruguay in 1930, wasn’t it? And... when have the Kiwis ever been any good at footy?

The white shirt bears a dark ‘V’ across the front more like St Helens rugby league team, but the ball underneath is unmistakably round rather than oval. Then the words ‘Manchester United’ emblazoned below the figure give the game away.

Medals won by former Everton winger Cliff Britton (1909-75), who later went on to manage the club in the 1950s, are being offered at an auction in East Yorkshire.