FOOTBALL mementoes owned by legendary Wanderers goalkeeper Eddie Hopkinson will go under the hammer next month - with an estimated value of £18,000.

The treasured collection includes his 1958 FA Cup winner's medal, which he won in Wanderers' famous 2-0 victory over Manchester United.

The nine carat gold medal is expected to fetch around £8,000, when it is auctioned by Bonhams at Chester on October 20.

Hopkinson's match-day jersey, in which he made two spectacular saves during the final, is expected to raise upwards of £800.

Twelve of Mr Hopkinson's 14 England caps will also be for sale, raising a further £7,400.

Other items, including Brazilian goalkeeper Gylmar's jersey - which Mr Hopkinson received in exchange for his own after England's match against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 1959 - are likely to sell for around £2,400.

Record-breaking Mr Hopkinson put the football treasures up for sale himself, just before he died earlier this year at the age of 69.

He made a record 519 Football League appearances for Wanderers between 1956 and 1969, and at 5ft 9ins tall, is the shortest goalkeeper on record to collect a FA Cup winners medal.

He joined Wanderers in August, 1952 after playing as an amateur with Oldham Athletic and got his big break at the start of the 1956-57 season.

Mr Hopkinson played 14 seasons for the Wanderers - eight in the First Division - before being forced to retire through injury in November, 1969.

He remained at the club as assistant trainer and coached the youth and reserve teams before joining Stockport County as assistant manager in July, 1974. He returned to Wanderers in 1979 for a spell as goalkeeping coach.

Mr Hopkinson's wife, Sheila said: "I am sad to see the medal go, but this was Eddie's wish just before he died. We are going through with the sale because that is what Eddie would have wanted."

Bonhams football memorabilia expert Dan Davies said: "This collection should do well at auction.

"Eddie was an international player and was voted the best keeper of all time for the Wanderers so we think this will be popular with Bolton fans.

"Personally I hope it does well for the sake of his family, because I know it came as a big shock to a lot of people when he died."