A Manchester United superfan is to pass on his memorabilia collection of over 70,000 pin badges through online auction this Wednesday.
Hugh Mortimer’s haul is believed to be the largest Manchester United memorabilia collection in the world.
It includes badges commemorating the Munich Air Disaster, as well as membership badges for a host of different supporter branches and homages to decades of footballing victories, and also includes a huge selection of books – from collector’s editions, to autobiographies – and flags, which have been flown at games home and away.
Speaking on the ever-growing collection back in 2018, the United superfan explained that he wanted to boost his collection of badges to 62,958 as a means of reflecting the anniversary date of the Munich Air Disaster – 6.2.1958 – but judging by the sheer number on offer this week, he’s definitely managed to exceed that number.
Hugh – who started badge collecting at the start of the millennium – said: “United are my one love in life.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ve spent my life demanding things of the team, because that’s what we do as fans and this is my small way of putting United in the record books and saying thank you for everything,”
He added: I left everything behind me to move to Manchester and be closer to Old Trafford and I’ve never regretted what I did. When I arrived here, I got a job on a stall outside the ground and I would be paid in badges instead of cash, it was a deal that worked well for me and the guy who owned the stall.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Some players didn’t have a badge, so I would have batches made up.
Charles Taylor Auctioneers
“My favourite badge is of Joe Jordan because he was my favourite player. He really battled for United and I loved him more than Bryan Robson or Roy Keane.
“He was everything.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The memorabilia collection is to be divided into around 300 separate lots at the auction.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the auction will be fully hosted online by auctioneers Charles Taylor – who are based out of Salford – on Wednesday 28th October and bidders interested in the haul are encouraged to contact Charles Taylor as the auction house will be opening its doors by appointment-only for the two days preceding the auction.
Matthew Bateman – Director and Auctioneer at Charles Taylor – said: “As local auctioneers in the shadow of Old Trafford, we were humbled to be approached by the vendor to sell his lifelong collection of Man Utd memorabilia.
“We’ve sold lots of sporting collectors items in the past – a Stirling Moss signed racing suit and an autographed Ayrton Senna racing helmet to name a couple – but none that is as unique and special as this.
“As dedicated United fans ourselves, we’ve followed our team both home and away – so the significance of this collection really isn’t lost on us. We’re all season ticket holders ourselves so, whilst we can’t go and see our team play right now, we hope the winning bidders will take as much pleasure in owning their badges as we know the vendor did collecting them.”
You can find more information ahead of the auction via the Charles Taylor website here.
Sport
Manchester City reportedly set to snap up Serie A star this summer
Danny Jones
Manchester City are reportedly set to make a Serie A star one of their first key signings in the summer transfer window, as links to Tijjani Reijnders seem to be gaining even more traction.
After domestic disappointment not only in the league this season but following defeat in the FA Cup this past weekend, Man City look to end the 24/25 campaign trophyless for the first time since 2017, unless they can lift the Club World Cup in July.
Manager Pep Guardiola has already been quizzed on whether the club needs a rebuild, and although he was steadfast in defending his last nine years of success, many supporters have been arguing similarly.
With that in mind, City’s recruitment already looks to be underway as several key first-team figures, namely Kevin De Bruyne, are set to be replaced, and Reijnders is said to be their first target.
🔵⚪️ As told on 14th April, Manchester City decided for Tijjani Reijnders long time ago… City officials knows Reijnders current preference for the Skyblues and has already explored personal terms conditions to make it happen. #MilanAC ⏳ More details Monday @SkySportCH ⤵️ #MCIhttps://t.co/gOdF8AdJYGpic.twitter.com/4I8KFXBStu
According to multiple sources, the AC Milan midfielder had been eyed up by Man City months ago and despite a plethora of teams around Europe keen on signing him, Reijnders’ preference is thought to be East Manchester.
The dynamic Dutchman has been one of the Rossoneri’s best players this season, registering 15 goals and five assists from central midfield, more than anyone in Serie A and one of the best strike rates from a non-forward across Europe.
At 26, the Eredivisie product is now one of the most attractive prospects around and entering his so-called prime years, making him potentially the perfect replacement in the middle of the park with the Blues’ biggest and most consistently creative outlet, De Bruyne, set to leave after a decade.
There may be very few playmakers as brilliant as the Belgian, but getting a talent as highly-rated as Reijnders at this moment in his career could be a big coup for City.
Price tag-wise, it’s been suggested that the Italian club would want around €80 million (approx £67.4m) to secure his services.
If you haven’t seen him play before, here are a few of his highlights from this season.
Like the look of him?
With Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri insisting that it would be Reijnders’ “dream” to play under Pep, it could merely be a case of Man City making Milan an attractive enough offer.
However, with Spanish giants Real Madrid also said to be monitoring his situation, it’s unlikely they’ll get a free run at him.
What do you reckon: would you like to see him at the Etihad?
Also, whilst you’re here, who do you think City need to hang on to this summer, and which squad members do you think they can afford to offload?
All the free things you can get with a Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal this year
Danny Jones
What’s the best part about doing the Great Manchester Run, we hear you ask? All the freebies, of course. You’ll be glad to hear there are more free things than ever for finishers this year.
More than 35,000 runners are set to take on the challenge, be it the half marathon or the 10k, and we firmly believe every single one of these legends should be entitled to as much free stuff as possible.
If it were up to us, they wouldn’t pay for anything all day, but hey, we make don’t make the rules.
So yeah, without further ado, here are all the freebies you can get for taking part in the Great Manchester 2025.
Free stuff and offers for Great Manchester Runners to cop in 2025
Without further ado, here are a tonne of freebies, discounts and deals you can grab by simply flashing your finisher’s medals:
Credit: The Manc/Supplied
Dishoom –Complimentary 330ml Kingfisher/Kingfisher Zero (0.0%) for anyone with anyone dining with a finisher’s medal.
Blacklock –Free glass of fizz on us with your medal.
Maray – Free glass of fizz/pint (or non-alcoholic beer/soft) for anyone with a medal who is dining on Sunday
Electric Shuffle – Free house wine, prosecco or pint for anyone with a 2025 medal.
Salon Madre – 2-4-1 margaritas all day Sunday for anyone with a race medal.
Suki Suki – Free bao bun for anyone with a medal.
Refuge/Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – 100 free pints of Manchester Union Beer (first come, first served)
Hello Oriental – Discounted soft serve ice cream, plus a free beer or soft drink with any meal for all finishers
The Shack – Flash your medal to claim a free glass of Prosecco or beer, plus parties with medals get 20% off their food bill.
Dough Religion (House of Social) – half price slice at Manchester Jazz Festival on Sunday
Emily Sergeant -
26th October 2020 
