World Cup medal sold for £164,800

Alan Ball will use the money from the sale to look after his family

Former England football international Alan Ball has sold off his 1966 World Cup medal for £164,800.

The medal was auctioned at Christie's in London on Thursday as part of special sale of football memorabilia.

Hampshire-based Ball said he was selling off the medal to secure the financial future of his family.

The Bolton-born star was the youngest member of the 1966 team at 21, and set up the third goal in the win over West Germany, England's only cup triumph.

Mr Ball will receive about £140,000, after the buyer's premium is paid.

It is a world record for a football medal and an item of memorabilia from the 1966 World Cup.

It beats the previous record held by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks's World Cup medal, which sold for £124,750.

It is time to look to the future, not the past Alan Ball

Mr Ball said: "I have three children and three grandchildren, and the most important thing for me is to make sure that they are looked after as well as possible.

"Winning the World Cup in 1966 will stay with me forever, but it is time to look to the future, not the past."

The 60-year-old former Blackpool and Everton midfielder, who managed several clubs including Manchester City and Southampton, also sold his World Cup final cap for £43,200 including buyer's premium.

The oldest existing FA Cup, presented to teams between 1896 and 1910, was also in the auction.

It was sold for £420,000, which is a world record for an item of sports memorabilia.