WELLINGBOROUGH.- Among the headline lots is an extraordinary Victorian writing slope presented in 1886 to Elijah Watkins, Arsenal Football Club's first secretary and one of the founders present at the meeting that established the club. With Arsenal continuing to compete at the highest level of European football, the object provides a rare and tangible connection to the club's origins nearly 140 years ago.

Taking place on 9th and 10th June, Pitch to Podium: The Two-Day Sporting Memorabilia Live Auction brings together more than 800 lots spanning some of the most compelling stories in sporting history, offering a wealth of opportunities for collectors seeking football, sport, history and collectibles items.

The sale features a diverse range of match-worn shirts, medals, trophies and rare sporting artefacts, with standout consignments including the personal collection of legendary West Bromwich Albion kit man Dave Matthews, whose 51 years of service at The Hawthorns made him one of the club's most recognisable and respected figures.

Combining significant football heritage, Olympic memorabilia and unique one-off collectibles, the auction offers a rich source of stories that connect modern sporting achievements with the people, moments and artefacts that helped shape them.

FROM DIAL SQUARE TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ARSENAL FOUNDING RELIC COMES TO AUCTION

As Arsenal celebrate their first Premier League title win for 22 years (and lick their wounds from the Chaqmpion League Final against Paris Saint-Germain) a remarkable artefact linked directly to the founding of Arsenal Football Club is set to be offered at auction.

The lot is a Victorian mahogany and brass-bound writing slope presented to Elijah Watkins, Arsenal's first secretary, in 1886 – the very year the club was founded.

The brass presentation plaque reads: "Presented By The Members Of The Dial Square Cricket Club To E. Watkins Secty 1886"

Watkins was among the small group of men who gathered at the Prince of Wales public house in Woolwich on 4 October 1886 to establish a football section of the Dial Square Cricket Club. Also present were David Danskin, Arsenal's first captain, alongside Fred Beardsley, John Humble and Richard Pearce.

That meeting would ultimately lead to the formation of Arsenal Football Club, one of the most successful and recognisable football clubs in the world.

Accompanied by extensive research material, the writing slope represents a tangible link to the club's earliest days and one of the closest surviving associations with the individuals responsible for Arsenal's creation.

The timing of the sale is particularly poignant. While today's Arsenal stars continue to seek to write a new chapter in the club's history, this object serves as a reminder of the modest beginnings from which the club emerged nearly 140 years ago.

David Convery comments: "Football clubs rarely have surviving objects that can be linked so closely to the individuals who founded them. This writing slope was presented to Elijah Watkins in the year Arsenal was formed and provides an extraordinary connection to the handful of men whose meeting in Woolwich gave birth to one of football's great institutions."

The Creation of The Arsenal Football Club - a Victorian mahogany and brass bound writing slope, the lid with brass plaque inscribed Presented By The Members Of The Dial Square Cricket Club To E .WATKINS SECty 1886, the interior lacking, 45cm wide, with folder of information and reference material relating to the box and the inception of Arsenal Football Club

On the 4th October 1886 in the Prince of Wales public house members of the Dial Square Cricket Club formed a football section. Present that evening were Elijah Watkins, (1st Secretary), David Danskin (First Captain), Fred Beardsley, John Humble and Richard Pearce with a copy of Royal Arsenal Champions of the South by Mark Andrews, Andy Kelly and Tim Stillman, 2018, on page 25 it makes reference to the clubs formation.

West Bromwich Albion Legend Dave Matthews Opens His Personal Collection for Pitch to Podium Sporting Memorabilia Auction

After more than half a century of dedicated service to West Bromwich Albion, legendary kit man Dave Matthews is sharing a remarkable collection of football history with fans and collectors alike through the upcoming Pitch to Podium: Two-Day Sporting Memorabilia Live Auction.

Dave Matthews joined Albion straight from school at just 15 years old and went on to serve the club for an extraordinary 51 years. During that time, he worked under 24 managers, attended more than 2,000 matches, and became one of the most respected and recognisable figures at The Hawthorns.

More than simply a kit man, Dave built lifelong friendships with generations of players, staff and supporters. His unwavering loyalty and dedication made him an integral part of the club's fabric, witnessing some of West Bromwich Albion's most memorable moments from the touchline. On one memorable occasion, when numbers were short, Dave even stepped onto the pitch himself.

Now, for the first time, supporters and collectors have the opportunity to own a piece of that incredible journey.

The Pitch to Podium: Two-Day Sporting Memorabilia Live Auction features more than 100 lots from Dave Matthews' personal collection, showcasing a lifetime spent at the heart of one of English football's most historic clubs. The collection includes match-worn shirts, rare memorabilia and unique artefacts spanning five decades at The Hawthorns.

Among the standout lots are:

Lot 1317 – Tony Brown's yellow and green No.4 West Bromwich Albion FA Cup semi-final shirt from 1978. Worn by Albion's all-time leading goalscorer during one of the club's most memorable cup campaigns.

Lot 1319 – Cyrille Regis' yellow and green No.9 West Bromwich Albion 1978 FA Cup semi-final shirt. A rare and significant piece associated with one of the club's greatest-ever players and a pioneering figure in English football.

Lot 1394 – A rare Mitre Delta Mirage football. Famous for its innovative design, the ball changes colour from white to orange when temperatures drop, making it one of the most distinctive footballs ever produced.

The auction presents a unique opportunity to acquire items connected not only to some of West Bromwich Albion's most celebrated players and eras, but also to one of the club's most devoted servants.

For supporters, collectors and football historians alike, Dave Matthews' collection offers a rare glimpse into the history, character and community spirit that have defined West Bromwich Albion across generations.