'Treasured' piece of Sheffield Wednesday's history found in attic

David Allison was clearing out the loft of his late parents' home in Firth Park when he discovered the badly chipped vessel, with a broken handle, which commemorates the Owls' 1896 FA Cup triumph.

The 59-year-old silver spinner, from Wincobank, believes it is part of a specially commissioned batch of crockery presented to players and directors at the club all those years ago following the 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

David, who is ironically a Sheffield United season ticket holder, said: "I vaguely remember my dad Howard bringing it home one day, many years ago, but it was put away after that and I never saw it again until I was clearing out the attic recently after my mum Dot passed away.

"I'm no expert on ceramics but I would say it's original. If Wednesday have a museum and want it then I'm happy to give it to them. I wouldn't even want a ticket in return!"

One person described it as a 'treasure' and another said it 'should be in a museum', but others suggested it was probably made much more recently than 1896.

One person told how the Earl of Wharncliffe, who was then on Wednesday's board, had been so delighted with the team's triumph he ordered a number of jugs from Staffordshire Pottery, which were presented to the players, directors and some of his personal friends.

The mug refers to the club as Sheffield Wednesday, which initially puzzled David, who thought they were known at the time as The Wednesday.

But others pointed out that the club were often marketed as Sheffield Wednesday, especially when playing away, long before officially adopting the new moniker in 1929.

David said he plans to contact Wednesday's historian to get an expert opinion and see if the club wants the artefact to add to its collection.