Maine Road memorabilia for sale

Maine Road turnstiles are among the fixtures and fittings for sale

Thousands of Manchester City fans are expected at Maine Road on Sunday, as the club auctions off items from the stadium which has been its home for 80 years.

City will move from Maine Road to the new City of Manchester Stadium next month and everything in the old ground, from the pitch itself to the boardroom furniture, is up for sale.

Fans from as far away as Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Italy have already posted their interest to auctioneers Smith Hodgkinson.

Among the hottest lots up for sale are 15 mounted blue plastic seats, each one signed by club legends Lee, Summerbee and Bell.

It's quite sad but it's time to move on Ian Maycock Auctioneer and Man City fan

Francis Lee, Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell were the main players in the successful City side of the 60s and bidding is expected to be intense.

The man who catalogued the collection is a life-long City fan and season-ticket holder.

Ian Maycock said there was "something for everyone" among the 700 lots going under the hammer.

These range from boot pegs from the bootroom and hooks from the changing room to a treatment table dating from 1920.

"You can imagine some of the superstars who've played for Manchester City and had treatment on that table," said Mr Maycock.

One of the most expensive items up for sale is the solid mahogany boardroom table.

Emotional farewell

And the turnstiles are even for sale, including some dating from the club's original ground as far back as 1890.

Around 1,500 fans attended a viewing of the lots on Saturday and enjoyed a "party atmosphere".

"Fans were able to go on the pitch - probably the one and only time they've been able to go on the Maine Road pitch," said Mr Maycock.

The turf itself is even going to be sold off at £10 a square foot with proceeds going to the local community.

For the auction on Sunday, which starts at 1000 BST, the bidders will sit in the stands while the auctioneer will be on the pitch.

But before the sale gets under way, there will be a minute's silence in honour of the former midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe who collapsed and died while playing for Cameroon, in the Confederations Cup.

Mr Maycock said the day was bound to be emotional for fans.

"I've spent many good and bad days at Maine Road and it's quite sad. But looking forward to the stadium that Manchester City have got now, it's time to move on."