Northern Lights Charity Ball to auction off Busby Babes autograph book

Busby Babes autographs

The Northern Lights Charity Ball, which has been organised by the Rochdale Man of the Year Trust, will be auctioning off a signed Busby Babes autograph book to raise money for Springhill Hospice.

The book has been signed by eight members of the Busby Babes and was signed months before they were killed in the Munich air disaster.

On 6 February 1958, eight players, including England stars Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor, three members of staff and eight journalists were killed when their plane crashed during its third take off attempt at Munich-Riem Airport.

The book has been donated to be auctioned off by fan Colin Fleet from Milnrow, who collected the signatures whilst he was a teenager and a regular at Old Trafford in the 1950s. Colin managed to get the famous signatures after he and friend Joe Sparks were invited on a tour of Old Trafford in late 1957.

Springhill Hospice Community Fundraiser, Lillie Winterbottom said: “We were absolutely thrilled when the autograph book was donated to us by Colin Fleet. Looking at it was like viewing a piece of history.

“We'd had lots of interest in the book but felt that the best place to auction such a prestigious item was at the Northern Lights Ball, which is shaping up to be 'THE' event of the year for Rochdale.

“The Ball is in aid of a number of local charities, with all of the money raised from the auction of the book going directly to Springhill Hospice. We know that those bidding will not only want to buy this fabulous item but also support Springhill at the same time."

This piece of sporting memorabilia will be auctioned off on Friday 11 September 2015 at the Northern Lights Ball. The ball, which is sponsored by Hanson Springs and Develop, will take place at Rochdale Town Hall.

Prior to the event, bids are being welcomed for the autograph book.

Bids should be sent by email to:

info@northernlightscb.co.uk

A receipt of email will be sent back to the bidder. All emails must include the name of the bidder, email address, contact address and phone number.

All bids received will be shown in order of their bidding on the Northern Lights Ball website and will be accepted unit 12 Noon on Friday 11 September. The highest bid at the time will then be used as a reserve figure during the auction that evening.

Any queries should be put in writing to:

info@northernlightscb.co.uk

For further details visit:

http://www.northernlightscb.co.uk