Presented to the winning teams between 1896-1910, the trophy was in fact the first major honour won by City thanks to their 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in 1904 in a game played at Crystal Palace.
Offered at the Bonhams Sporting Trophies Sale in New Bond Street, London, on September 29 with an estimate of £700,000-900,000, it had sold for a premium-inclusive £759,062. There were fears the cup would head abroad but it is staying in England – City will loan the trophy to the National Football Museum in Manchester indefinitely.
Kinnaird provenance
When this cup was ‘retired’ it was presented in 1911 to FA president and former footballer Lord Kinnaird (1847-1923) in recognition of his service and remained in the Kinnaird family until 2005. Kinnaird is regarded as the first football ‘star’ and played in nine FA Cup finals, winning two with Old Etonians and three with Wanderers.
The silver two-handled trophy was cast from a mould of the original, which was stolen in 1895 while held by Aston Villa and was never recovered. Made by Vaughton & Sons, Birmingham, in 1896, a note on the underside reads Made By P Vaughton & Sons Birmingham 1896 From A Cast Of The Old Cup Which Was Lost.
The cup had been bought in May 2005 by the then Birmingham City chairman David Gold for £420,000 at Christie’s South Kensington, the price setting a record for a piece of sporting memorabilia. It had up until recently been on display at the National Football Museum, lent by Gold, who is now joint chairman of West Ham United.
Manchester City date back to the 1880 St Mark’s (West Gorton) club and their present name was adopted in 1894. They won the Second Division in 1899.
They were the first Manchester club to taste success in the FA Cup – United won this same trophy in 1909, beating Bristol City 1-0.
