Back of the net: Football that made history at Wembley goes on sale

The ball used to score the only ever hat-trick in such a match has been kicking around charity auctions and the backs of cupboards since the famous “Matthews Final” in which Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers by 4-3.

Despite Mortensen’s three goals, the game is better known for the incredible performance of his teammate, the legendary Stanley Matthews, who claimed the trophy that had eluded him in two previous finals.

Matthews’ boots were later sold for £38,400, and now the match ball is also going under the hammer.

It is currently owned by Chris Crook, to whom it was passed down after it was won in a raffle.

Mr Crook, an IT analyst, from Surrey, said it had been used to raise funds at an FA event at Blackpool in 1989 – possibly a tribute dinner for Mr Mortensen.

“It was won by a waitress, who gave it to her brother,” Mr Crook said. “When his power failed at home one Christmas Day, he called his electrician, Tom Brown, to fix it.

“After fixing the electrics, Tom was given the football as a thank you. He was a friend of my father-in- law, and the ball was eventually passed down to me in 2007.”

It will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, next month.

The auctioneer, Charles Hanson, said: “The ball was given to Stan Mortensen at the end of a game that was watched by 100,000 fans on May 2, 1953.

“Despite Bolton going 3-1 up, Blackpool came back to win 4-3.”

The brown, 18-panel football was modern for its day and was of a design that would have been used only for internationals and finals, he said. Most balls of the period were laced.

“We expect the football to create worldwide interest. It will carry a guide price of between £3,000 and £5,000,” Mr Hanson said.

“I haven’t dared to try doing a kick-up with it.

“We hope it finds its way into an international museum of football, or perhaps into a Blackpool football fan’s collection.”