'I'm selling the lot'

World's largest collection of City shirts auctioned

- CHRIS SLATER, ADAM DUTTON

THE world's biggest collection of match-worn Manchester City shirts is going under the hammer. Lifelong Blues fanatic Mark McCarthy has spent over 40 years amassing his incredible collection of 282 shirts, which range from 1926 to the present day.

They include those worn by modern-day club legends Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.

However, it also includes a kit worn in the 1926 FA Cup Final which City lost and one from their triumphant Final of 1969 when they beat Leicester 1-0. One of the earliest shirts being sold was worn by City striker Billy Sowden at the first match under floodlights at Maine Road in 1953.

Kits worn by Colin Bell, Peter Barnes, Dennis Tueart, as well as Denis Law's second debut shirt and Brian Kidd's 1978 UEFA Cup shirt are also up for grabs.

Dad-of-four Mark, 49, is the cousin of former City defender - and now well-known manager Mick McCarthy, previously Wolves and Republic Ireland boss.

Mark declared himself a Blue in 1983, after visiting his grandfather, Mick McCarthy's uncle, who told him his cousin was about to join the Blues.