Unique FA Cup winner's medal of former West Brom goalkeeper goes on sale
An FA Cup winner’s medal given to an Albion goalkeeper who missed the final in cruel circumstances is expected to fetch thousands of pounds at auction.
Norman Heath was looking forward to taking part in the 1954 FA Cup final against Preston – a match Albion went on to win 3-2 – before his career came to an abrupt end.
After playing in the semi-final, the keeper suffered severe neck injuries in a match against Sunderland that forced him to retire from football and use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Despite being unable to play in the Wembley final, Heath was given a winner’s medal and his Baggies team-mates took the trophy to his bedside in hospital.
Born in Wolverhampton, Heath died in Great Barr in 1983. Now, his medal is expected to fetch up to £6,000 at auction.
Alistair Lofley, football valuer at Hansons Auctioneers near Derby, where the items will be sold on February 21, said: “This is the first time I’ve ever had the honour of selling an FA Cup final winner’s medal.
“You don’t see them often. This is an incredible find and one of the most important collections of memorabilia relating to one player that I’ve ever come across.
“For any keen collectors, the opportunity to own a genuine FA Cup final medal is the stuff of dreams – and the circumstances surrounding its presentation make it extra special
“Norman Heath is remembered with great fondness by his club and supporters.
“I don’t think there can be a football fan in the land, or even the world, who could not be touched by his story.
“To suffer a career-ending injury just before an FA Cup final is the cruellest of blows.
“His memorabilia is a treasure trove of nostalgia and provides an historical record of a player’s life in the 1940s – including the Second World War - and beyond.
“We have his first professional football contract from 1943 where his wages were ‘permissible in wartime’ though no figure is given.
“By 1948 his contract stated that he was earning £10 per week – the equivalent of £345 a week in today’s money – with an extra £2 if he played in a first team league or cup match.”
There are also several letters from the club to Heath alerting him to his selection to the team.
One from November 1943 tells Norman he has been selected to play in an away game against Stoke City and says, ‘Please be in attendance in good time… bring your sandwiches with you…. We will pick you up at the Gaumont Cinema, Wolverhampton’.
Heath joined the Baggies as an amateur in 1942 and turned professional in 1943, having made his debut in September 1943 in the Football League North against Wolves.
His career was interrupted when he joined the Army in 1944.
He returned to Albion and made his full Football League debut in 1947 against Sheffield Wednesday.
In 1952 he replaced Jimmy Sanders as the Baggies first choice keeper.
Following his injury, Heath was granted a testimonial against an International XI in 1956 and a record crowd of 55,000 went along.
He had a spell as manager of Great Barr Gunners before his death in Great Barr, Birmingham, in November 1983.
Norman Heath’s FA Cup final winner’s medal, made in gold by Fattorini and Sons of Birmingham, and his memorabilia will be sold on February 21 in a Football in Focus Auction at Hansons Auctioneers Derbyshire.
To find out more, email Alistair Lofley – alofley@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk – or call 0786 320 3377.
