The rarest football cigarette card ever seen by collectors has been uncovered by an auctioneer.

Even the most fanatical card collectors never even knew the Rutherford's Cigarette's card existed until a couple of weeks ago.

The 100-year-old card features former Sunderland AFC goalkeeper and Scottish International John "Ned" Doig.

It is likely to reach £1,000 when it goes under the hammer and is believed to be the rarest ever seen.

Auctioneer Colin Such stumbled across the card when he was sifting through a pile gathered during a valuation open day.

He said: "I was sifting through a pile of old cards that people had brought in when I came across one I had never seen.

"I consulted my colleagues and they hadn't seen anything like it. They didn't even know the cigarette company existed.

"Further investigation showed it was a rarity, completely unique and in terms of football cards it's as rare as they come.

"It the rarest football card there is."

The black and white card dates back to 1900.

It is entitled "J.E. Doig, Sunderland AFC" and features the Scottish international who was a member of the club's celebrated Team of All the Talents.

Doig played for the Red and Whites from 1890 to 1904 after joining the club from Arbroath.

His debut for the club was notable in that it brought a 4-0 win at West Brom - and yet Sunderland still ended up pointless.

Doig had not been registered properly and was therefore ineligible to play.

Sunderland were fined £25 and docked two points - the first time a points deduction penalty had been imposed.

In his time at the club Doig played 456 times winning five Scottish caps and four Football League Championships.

Doig was the goalkeeper featured in the famous Hemmy painting which hangs in the reception at the Stadium of Light which is believed to be the oldest football picture in existence.

He played into his 40s and died in Lancashire, in 1919.

The card comes up for auction on November 14 at auctioneers Warwick and Warwick. The most expensive football card brought £3,500 at auction and was a Manchester United fixture card dating back to 1909 produced by the Casket Cigarette Company.