The Original Littlewoods Cup Trophy and Two Major Collections Come to Auction
Our upcoming Silverware & Sporting History Auction on December 2nd-3rd brings together more than 1,000 lots of football history, led by one of the rarest pieces we have handled: the original League Cup trophy used during the Littlewoods sponsorship era. The sale also features two significant private collections, from Dave Gaertner and Paul Parker, offering a broad and detailed look at both club and international football heritage.
The Littlewoods Trophy
The centrepiece of this auction is the original Football League Cup trophy from the Littlewoods-sponsored period between 1987 and 1990, offered with an estimate of £20,000 to £30,000. Major domestic trophies are seldom released to the market, which makes this a standout opportunity for collectors.
During those four seasons, the trophy was lifted by Arsenal in 1987, Luton Town in 1988 and Nottingham Forest in both 1989 and 1990. The era produced several defining moments, including Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Luton Town’s dramatic 3-2 victory the following year, and Nottingham Forest’s back-to-back triumphs under Brian Clough. Captains Kenny Sansom, Steve Foster and Stuart Pearce were among the players who held this trophy aloft.
Although recognised as the Littlewoods Challenge Cup during this sponsorship period, the trophy itself has a longer history. Crafted in 1895 by Thomas Bradbury & Sons, it originally served as The Viscountess Furness Cup and was awarded in a Teesside football tournament from 1920 until 1968. It was later adopted by Littlewoods before the competition evolved into the Rumbelows Cup and ultimately today’s Carabao Cup.
Our Head of Sporting Memorabilia, David Convery, says:
“This rare trophy has been held aloft by wining club captains Kenny Sansom, Steve Foster and Stuart Pearce and of course all the winning players and management staff from the winning side. We are honoured to be selling this iconic football trophy which formed such an emotional part of British football history.”
Alongside the trophy, the auction includes two major private collections: the Dave Gaertner Leeds United Collection and the Paul Parker Collection. Together, they offer a detailed record of historic matches, career-defining moments, and rare items connected to some of football’s most respected figures.
The Dave Gaertner Collection
The Gaertner Collection charts more than a century of Leeds United history, covering early programmes, major medals, international caps, match-worn shirts and important ephemera. With 270 lots and a combined estimate of £70,000 to £100,000, it stands as one of the most substantial Leeds United collections to come to the market in recent years.
Among its key pieces are Johnny Giles’ 1970 FA Cup Final match-worn shirt, a 1969 Division One winners’ medal and a 1965 FA Cup runners-up medal, each representing major moments in the club’s competitive history.
The Paul Parker Collection
The Paul Parker Collection comprises 34 lots with a combined estimate of £80,000 to £120,000 and reflects the breadth of a career that included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester United and the England national team. Notable items include the 1992-93 inaugural Premier League miniature trophy awarded to players during the league’s first season, a 1993-94 FA Cup winners’ medal, the bronze medal awarded for 3rd/4th place at Italia ’90 and an England international cap from the same period.
Parker earned 19 caps for England and played a key role at the 1990 World Cup before enjoying significant domestic success under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. His collection provides a clear view of both his international experience and his contribution to the early Premier League era.
Our Silverware & Sporting History auction brings together a rare combination of elite silverware, major player collections and century-spanning club history. Bidding starts from 10am on the 2nd and 3rd of December - register to bid now.
