OFFERED at £1,000, the ball from the 1905 FA Amateur Cup final – West Hartlepool v Clapton – spent last week for sale on eBay. It never really got rolling.

“It was never priced for sale, just a bit of fun and games. I’d have been devastated if someone had come up with £1,000,” says Alex McKinley, the vendor.

Mr McKinley, it transpires, has a loft conversion that more greatly resembles a Hartlepool United football museum – “a vast collection” – though West Hartlepool were the present club’s predecessors. Shirts and autographs go back to the 1930s.

“It’s never been easy being a Hartlepool fan, definitely more downs than ups, but I’ve been a bit disheartened this past couple of seasons,”

he admits.

West Hartlepool were a Northern League side, seventh out of 13 that long gone season, who’d beaten Bishop Auckland in the semi-final. The final was at Shepherds Bush, watched by a 4,000 crowd.

The Northern Echo’s correspondent wrote of indomitable pluck and remarkable dash. “They fully deserved this gallant victory. It can be said without the least hesitation that the champions are the most improved team in the north.”

Otto Trechmann, who didn’t sound much like a West Docker, scored twice in the 3-2 win and later signed for Middlesbrough.

Mr McKinley was given the ball by former Pools chairman Harold Hornsey.

“He was the best we’ve ever had, exceptional. He’d stand on the terraces with the fans, no airs and graces at all.”

The ball won’t be offered for sale again. Like a lot more around Hartlepool just now, it’s looking a bit deflated.