Jim Baxter's worn '1967 Wembley shirt' removed from McTear's auction over authenticity claims

A Scotland shirt said to have been worn by Rangers legend Jim Baxter in a victory over world champions England 56 years ago has been removed from an auction at the last minute over doubts of its authenticity.

Baxter was the star player in the 3-2 Wembley victory that was the Auld Enemy’s first defeat since their World Cup win in 1966.

McTear’s auctioneers had originally listed the item, which has been on display at Ibrox for the last ten years, as one of the highlight lots at its latest bidding event on Friday.

But the shirt, which has an expected valuation of around £60,000, was removed from auction after two Rangers fans claimed to have the real jersey worn by Baxter in London.

Andrew Dickson and David Wishart claim ownership and say it was bought at a charity auction in 1991.

The pair, from Falkirk, even have picture evidence of Baxter endorsing their claims that they say proves the authenticity of theirs.

McTear’s remains “convinced” that the jersey is authentic but said it would “never put up an item to auction with questions unanswered”.

The company released a statement insisting the label at the back of the jersey they have matches that of other Scotland jersey’s worn against England, but the one purchased in 1991 does not.

A spokesman said: “We will conduct additional research before taking a decision on any future sale.

“The provenance of the shirt traces back to the player, who exchanged his jersey with Alan Ball at the end of the match. The shirt then came to the father of the vendor through Alan Hudson, with Ball being present.

“Hudson has been contacted to confirm this chain and the key fact that Baxter didn’t leave Wembley in 1967 with the shirt.

“Jim Baxter was renowned for gifting Scotland jerseys to friends, acquaintances and functions, and that appears to be the case for the jersey bought at the benefit dinner by the other parties. Crucially, additional research has shown that the label on the shirt from the 1991 charity auction does not appear to match those worn in the 1967 game as it dates the shirt to pre World Cup 1966. In 1967, the Scotland shirts featured the ‘worn by the 1966 World Cup winners’ Umbro label. This label appears on the jersey consigned to McTear’s.”

Other items sold on Friday include a 1996/97 Rangers jersey worn by Ally McCoist, which sold for £1,600, a signed Diego Maradona Argentina shirt for £950, a Celtic European tour medal and photograph from 1911 for £1,100 and a Scottish League Winner’s medal won by Motherwell player Andrew Donaldson in 1932 sold for £2,200.