AN England cap awarded to a Winsford footballer nearly a century ago will be going under the hammer this week.

The dark red velvet cap embroidered with an English rose was won by Sheffield Wednesday wing half Tom Brittleton and is expected to raise £1,000 at auction.

Born on April 23, 1882, Tom started his playing career with Winsford Juniors, before joining Winsford Celtic and later Winsford United.

He moved to Stockport County in 1902 followed by Sheffield Wednesday in September 1905 where he went on to become their record club signing in a £300 transfer – more than a year’s wage for many Winsford workers.

In his book, Sheffield Wednesday: A Complete Record, author Keith Farnsworth described Brittleton as ‘a bit of a character’ when he turned down the chance to tour South Africa with the football association in 1911 because he wanted to stay at home and spend the summer fishing.

Just two years after joining the club, Brittleton helped them win the 1907 FA Cup, before moving on to Stoke City in 1920 aged 38.

In 1922, he celebrated his milestone 40th birthday as he helped Stoke City win promotion to the old First Division – then the top flight of English professional football.

By the time he hung up his boots and made his last league appearance he was aged 42.

But he still was not finished and in March 1925 he returned home to his beloved Winsford and joined Winsford United as player-coach.

He was 72 when he died on February 22, 1955.

He won five England caps, while with Sheffield Wednesday, and he won one of these in 1912 – the year the Titanic sank.

Brittleton's 1912 England cap will be auctioned at Bonhams in Chester on Wednesday, October 21.