LONDON.- A star shaped medal awarded to the Sheffield Wednesday footballer and politician, W. E. Clegg (1852-1932), is to be sold at Bonhams, Chester, as part of its Sporting Memorabilia sale on 1 June 2011. The medal, which was discovered in a box of assorted items brought into the Bonhams’ Exeter office by an unassuming client, has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £1,500 – 2,000.

W. E. Clegg played a significant role in the formation of football. Along with his brother, Charles Clegg, he was also the first Sheffield Wednesday player to earn international caps for England. After retiring from football through injury he was elected the Lord Mayor of Sheffield (1898) and was often referred to as the ‘uncrowned King of Sheffield’.

Clegg was awarded this medal for winning the Sheffield Association Cup on 12 May 1877, when Sheffield Wednesday defeated Heeley 4-3 at Bramhall Lane in front of 6,000 fans. It was the first ever trophy won by Sheffield Wednesday.

This weekend (May 7), Sheffield Wednesday play Exeter as part of the Npower League One.