Adam Walker memorabilia sale
A vast collection of football memorabilia belonging to a devoted Kopite, who tragically passed away last year after a long battle with cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, is to be made available for purchase.
The online sale features more than 200 football shirts collected by life-long Liverpool fan Adam Walker and includes dozens of pieces signed by some of the biggest names in the game from across the Premier League.
Adam's memorabilia will go on sale on AuctionmyStuff.com from March 31, 2014.
Lots include a group of 2006-07 England football shirts comprising of over 16 signatures, including that of John Terry, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.
There's also a batch of Liverpool memorabilia, which includes shirts signed by Xabi Alonso, Djibril Cisse and Pepe Reina.
Adam's journey into collecting football memorabilia began in November 2001 when he went to his first game, Derby v Liverpool, where he was sat just outside the players' entrance.
This enabled him to ask for his first ever signatures, which came willingly from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.
As a result of his trips to Anfield, as well as Ewood Park and several other stadiums across England, Adam met virtually every player in the Premier League, some of whom he started to count as friends.
He developed a particularly close relationship with Owen, who would ensure he came to see Adam after every match to discuss the game. This continued until Owen's retirement at the end of last season.
Owen said of Adam: "I remember meeting him for the first time and it was immediately obvious how passionate he was about everything Liverpool FC.
"He was such a funny and genuine person with an incredibly positive outlook on life. Adam was always looking for ways to help other people and never let his condition stop him from doing what he wanted and for that very reason he is an inspiration. It was a real privilege to have met him."
Adam suffered from cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, which meant he could not sit unsupported, walk or use his hands. Football was his passion and his release.
After a long battle with his illness, Adam sadly passed away on September 26, 2013. His dad, Alan, said: "Adam was a courageous, fearless and determined young man, who I am incredibly proud of.
"I would like to thank the many Premiership footballers who always had time to chat and sign his items which truly made his day and enabled him to accumulate a phenomenal collection of football memorabilia.
"In particular, I extend heartfelt thanks to Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who between them signed for Adam hundreds of times over the years."
A portion of the money generated from the sale will be put in a trust for Adam's young nieces, in keeping with his wishes, with the remaining money to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Chailey Heritage Trust.
Online bidding will be available from Monday, March 31 and continue until April 20 at www.auctionmystuff.com. There will also be a second sale later this year for other items from Adam's collection, including programmes, year books, clothing and an assortment of other memorabilia.
For more information or to speak with Auction My Stuff curator, Patrick van der Vorst, please contact Lauren Clements at PHA Media on 0207 0251 377 or laurenC@pha-media.com.