SAFC bidders dig deep for the British Legion

The recent QXL auction of Sunderland players' matchday shirts has proved a huge success, raising an impressive £4,250 for the Royal British Legion.

The players' shirts from the Coventry home match on November 8th each had a poppy - the symbol of the Royal British Legion - embroidered on, and were signed by the players and put up for auction after the match.

12 of the 19 shirts on offer sold for over £200; Julio Arca's shirt was, predictably, much sought-after and attracted over 1,000 bids, with the winning bidder paying £365.

Mart Poom's shirt was the second most expensive at £290 and Paul Thirlwell's was third most expensive at £285.

Sunderland AFC's Communications Director, Lesley Callaghan, said: "As a club we wanted to show our respect and support for the Poppy Appeal and it's great that the auction has proved so popular."