Announcing An Auction of Two Halves!

Manchester City has grown into one of football’s biggest powerhouses. Early success gave them league titles in 1937 and 1968, but City endured decades of highs and lows before their modern comeback. The club’s turning point came with Sheikh Mansour’s 2008 takeover, leading to huge success. Iconic moments include Sergio Agüero’s last-chance goal in 2012 to secure their first Premier League title in 44 years, their historic treble in 2023, and multiple record-breaking seasons that have put them at the top of the table.

Manchester United has also built a legacy as one of football’s most famous clubs. With Sir Matt Busby’s as manager, they became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968. The club’s golden era came under Sir Alex Ferguson and spanned almost 3 decades, securing 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. With iconic moments peppered throughout their history, including the dramatic 1999 treble-winning comeback against Bayern Munich and their nerve-wracking Champions League final victory over Chelsea in 2008.

We are so excited to be holding this auction that takes some of the best moments from each of these team's history, giving fans the chance to up their collections with standout lots or start them with amazing beginner pieces. 

The sale features match-worn shirts, early programmes, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia spanning nearly a century of Manchester City’s past, from Maine Road to the modern Etihad era.

Key highlights include a match-worn shirt from the 1969 FA Cup Final, items relating to the club’s 1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup victory, and a near complete run of home programmes from the post-war period onwards. 

More recent history is represented through signed shirts and memorabilia from players such as Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, and Kevin De Bruyne.

David Convery, Head of Sporting Memorabilia at Graham Budd Auctions said, “This collection really captures what it means to be a fan. Mark has spent a lifetime cherishing these items, and every piece tells a story of big wins, tough seasons, and unforgettable players.

“What’s really special is that this collection spans generations, from the club’s historic old guard right through to the modern title-winning team. It’s a tribute to Manchester City’s history, seen through the eyes of someone who’s been there throughout.”

Mark McCarthy, the collector behind the archive, said: “I’ve followed City through thick and thin since I was a boy, home, away, in Europe, the lot. Over the years I’ve picked things up from games, swapped with other collectors, or just got items through sheer luck.

“It’s not always been about value, some of these pieces remind me of special moments or people I met along the way. But now feels like the right time to pass them on, so other fans can enjoy them too.”