The most expensive football in the world
The leather ball from the 1888 English Football Association final between West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End became the most expensive football in history on Tuesday when an anonymous buyer paid £32,900 ($51,290) at Christie's in London.
The ball is gilded and inscribed with details of the game, including the venue, the date and the score. Incidentally, West Brom won the match 2-1. A match ball used in the FA Cup semi-final between the same two teams a year earlier sold for £16,450 ($25,644).
Other items to go under the hammer included a Manchester United FA Cup winners' medal from 1948 for £10,575 ($16,500) and a Coppa Italia trophy won by former Italian giants Torino in 1943. Bought by the Italian club, it was the most expensive item at the auction, going for £47,000 ($73,300).
