The late Liverpool FC captain Emlyn Hughes' collection of medals and shirts, including items from two European Cup triumphs, is expected to fetch upwards of £300,000 at auction.
Hughes made 655 appearances for Liverpool, winning four league titles, one FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, a Super Cup and two European Cups. He was the first Reds player to lift the European Cup in 1977 and remains the only captain to lift the trophy twice, repeating the success in 1978.
Family decision to share legacy
Hughes kept all his medals and shirts from his career in top condition before he died of a brain tumour in 2004 aged 57. His son and daughter, Emlyn Jr and Emma, are now keen to share his legacy with the world.
Speaking to the ECHO, Emlyn Jr explained the family made the difficult decision after the death of their mum last year. He said: "They've been in the family for 50 years, but we made the choice to let other people enjoy them."
The treasured items had been sitting in boxes in the family home, but Hughes' achievements were laid out at an exhibit ahead of the live auction. Emlyn Jr added: "It's taking seeing it like this to appreciate it a little bit more. I'm immensely proud of what he did."
Auction details and expected value
The auction will take place on November 2 and is being run by auction house BUDDS. COO Adam Gascoigne told the ECHO the collection is one of the best he's ever seen and expects the items to fetch upwards of £300,000. He said: "It's the perfect storm because you've got a player with such a wonderful career that won so many things so he's got access to the best player in the world. And he had a wonderful eye to collect everything and preserve it all. To see something like this is amazing."
The collection includes a match-worn shirt and tracksuit from the 1977 European Cup win, a tracksuit from the 1978 final, and shirts swapped with icons like Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, George Best, Kevin Keegan and Sir Kenny Dalglish. Hughes also earned 62 caps for England, and his international shirts are part of the collection.
