Barcelona buy Wembley history

The Wembley auction raised more than £25,000

Spanish football giants Barcelona have bought up bits of Wembley history in an auction.

A Barcelona representative bought one of the 39 steps to the Royal Box, the players' tunnel and the goalposts from the last game to be played at Wembley, the England-Germany international on 7 October.

England's 1966 World Cup-winning forward Geoff Hurst paid £1,000 for a photograph showing him and his team mates celebrating their Wembley triumph.

Lot 30, an original painting of the 1923 FA Cup Final by Reginald Browne, fetched the highest price of the evening - £3,400.

The memorabilia auction raised more than £25,000, which will go towards the £660m needed to build the new Wembley.

It's great for the public as they get the chance to buy a piece of Wembley to keep forever

  Peter Shilton

Nick Dudley-Williams, a spokesman for organisers qxl.com, said: "Barcelona have a special interest in Wembley as it is the only place where they have won the European Cup, in 1992 against Sampdoria."

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton recalled how Wembley authorities put up a special warm-up board for his goalkeeping practice after he cracked the dressing room wall.

The signed board went for £550 when an internet bidder beat the goalkeeper's own offer.

Shilton, who played in 51 internationals at the stadium, said of the auction: "It's great for the public as they get the chance to buy a piece of Wembley to keep forever. It's a very special place."