FORMER Bolton Wanderers manager and one of English soccer's most decorated players, Phil Neal has bid farewell to his prestigious collection of medals and caps.

The 49-year-old is taking the unprecedented step of selling his entire collection -- to help out his children.

The collection includes three of his European Cup Winners medals, four Division One Championship plaques -- from his 11 years spent at Liverpool -- and 16 International caps.

Phil's collection is expected to raise between £100,000 and £150,000 when it is sold in individual lots at Christie's next month.

He said he did not want his two children to be left with an agonising decision over selling the medals.

"I don't want my children to be asking themselves 'shall we or shall we not sell' on inheriting the collection, so I've made the decision for them.''

The former full-back, who played 68 games for Bolton between 1985 and 1988, still speaks fondly of his time at Burnden Park.

He said: "My heart might be in Liverpool but I have lovely memories of Bolton.

"It was a tall order on leaving Liverpool to play and manage. But I managed to produce a profit for the club six out of seven years and I'm proud that I introduced the club back to Wembley after such a long time.

"Nat Lofthouse is a great figurehead for the club and I've met a lot of football icons in my time.''

Phil, who still coaches young players and is a representative for the Professional Football Association, said he was sad to part with the collection which also includes a winners medal from the Wanderers defeat of Torquay United in the 1989 Sherpa Van Final.

"Obviously there is a certain amount of emotion involved and I spent 18 months considering the decision to sell.

"But I still have my memories and the videos to watch. My mum, who is 90-years-old, and family still have a few bits and pieces as well,'' he said.

A contribution from the sale proceeds will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a charity close to Phil's heart as his sister has suffered from the illness for 30 years.

Part of the collection was put on display yesterday at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool where Phil saw it for the last time before the 100 lots go to auction on September 29. He added: "I feel sadder today reflecting on all the games than I will do when the collection is actually sold because I don't intend to be there in person.'' As manager, Phil took the Wanderers to the Third Division play-off final after stringing together an unbeaten run of 23 matches between October 1990 and March 1991. He left the club in May 1992.