WITH the 2003 FA Cup Final coming up the National Football Museum is to display a collection of memorabilia from possibly the greatest ever FA Cup final.
In what is the 50th anniversary year of the world famous 1953 "Matthews final" the museum has found a cup winners medal, shorts, shirt and a pair of boots from the game.
Museum curator Mark Bushell explained: "We had been looking at ways in which to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this amazing game when by chance somebody said they thought they had the address of a surviving family member of one of the Blackpool players.
"On contacting the man in question I was overjoyed to find that it was the son of Eddie Shimwell, who had played for Blackpool in the 1948, '51 and '53 Cup finals."
Mr Shinwell's son Stewart agreed to a long term loan of his late fathers prized possessions.
Stewart Shimwell said: "I want the objects to be safe and secure and to be enjoyed by as many people as possible and that's what will now happen. They are part of my family's history but that is no reason to keep them under lock and key and out of sight."
The '53 final was the first to be watched by a huge television audience of over 10 million, due to tomany having bought televisions to watch the queen's coronation.
The game itself was exciting with Bolton Wanderers leading Blackpool 3-1 with 20 minutes to play. Blackpool pulled one back but with barely a minute to go they were still a goal behind.
Incredibly, they scored two late goals to win 4-3.
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