England hero forced to sell debut Three Lions cap and shirt to help with retirement funds

A Three Lions veteran is being forced to sell off senior squad memorabilia to help pay for his life post-football.

Neil Webb, 59, is a former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest player who’s apparently been struggling for funds since hanging up his boots back in 2000.

Since he left the field, the former midfielder has moonlighted as a postman as well as being employed as a delivery driver.

Now he is selling off an England shirt and an important cap to help bolster his bank account and help him retire from working life comfortably.

Since he retired from international and club football in 1997, Webb said that he has had to take on numerous jobs to help fund his lifestyle and pay into his pension pot.

In an interview with The Sun he said: "I’ve had numerous jobs over the last few years and at the moment I am a delivery driver.

"My generation earned good money and you could buy a nice house, a nice car and put your children through private education.

"But it is a different world for today’s players. I always knew I would have to work after I played,” he added.

The 59-year-old - who played for England 26 times between 1987 and 1992 - says he can’t “relate” to recent footballers’ salaries.

He stated: “I can’t relate to the incredulous wages players get today. Even £100,000 a week – I can’t relate to that.”

In a bid to boost his retirement fund then, Webb is selling off his first-ever England shirt and cap.

He said: "I’m turning 60 in July and it would be good if the shirt and cap goes to someone who will appreciate them.

"It will boost my retirement pot. It has hung on the wall in our home and if nobody decides to buy it I’ll happily keep hold of it.”

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The shirt that is being auctioned off was apparently awarded to Webb in 1987 - the year he made his debut appearance for the Three Lions.

The match in question was a friendly against West Germany, which saw the Berkshire-born man becoming the 1,000th player to be capped by England.

Because of their magnitude, the ex-international is hoping that the collectables can fetch up to £15,000.

However, this isn’t the first time that Webb has decided to flog his wares. In 2009, he reportedly sold his footballing medals, proving he’s not much of a sentimentalist.

If you yourself want to snag a slice of history then the aforementioned shirt and cap will be on sale from Tuesday, June 6. You can grab them from Graham Budd Auctions of Wellingborough, Northants.