Hearts Legend’s Medals To Feature In Sporting Auction

The most important collection of Heart of Midlothian memorabilia to come to auction is attracting interest from football fans and collectors ahead of its sale on 3 February. 

The three medals and match worn shirt were awarded to Hearts legend and Terrible Trio member, Alfie Conn Sr (1926-2009) who was a key part of the Edinburgh club’s all conquering Scottish and League Cup winning squads in the mid 1950s.  

McTear’s specialist sports auction will include the forward’s League Cup Winners gold medal from 1954/55, his Scottish Cup winners medal from 1955/56, match worn jersey from the Scottish Cup final, and League Championship gold medal from 1957/58.

The collection is being sold as a single lot, with experts estimating it could fetch between £30,000 and £40,000. 

Commenting on the auction, sports specialist, James Bruce, said: “It is rare to see high quality Hearts memorabilia come to auction, so to have so many items associated with one of the most important players during the most successful period in the club’s history, is quite remarkable.  Alfie Conn Sr was an integral part of the 1950s squad, combining with Willie Bauld and Jimmy Wardhaugh to cause havoc amongst Scottish defences as Hearts’ infamous Terrible Trio.”

Born in Prestonpans, East Lothian, Conn joined Hearts in 1944, going on to score 221 goals in 408 appearances for the club.  The Hearts Hall of Fame inductee was a pivotal part of the team that defeated Motherwell 4-2 in 1955 to win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, while his half volley in the 1956 Scottish Cup Final would secure the Cup for the Edinburgh side in a 3-1 win over Celtic.  Despite a serious ankle injury, Conn also contributed to the club’s 1957/58 Scottish Division One triumph. 

In addition to the Hearts memorabilia, the auction will also include the match worn jersey from Alfie Conn Sr’s only appearance for the Scottish national team – a 1-1 draw with Austria.  The shirt in which Conn scored Scotland’s only goal is estimated to fetch £2,500 to £3,500.  

Another lot includes the player’s gold medal from a 1948 match between a Scottish Football League XI and Irish Football League XI, which could fetch £2,500.  Both lots are being sold by a different vendor to the other items detailed above. All vendors have asked to remain anonymous.

The Alfie Conn Sr memorabilia will feature in Heritage: Important Sporting Medals & Shirts auction on Friday 3 February.