A DEDICATED Wolverhampton Wanderers fan has unearthed a rare piece of football memorabilia dating back to the 1950s.

As well as a lifelong commitment to the bodybuilding industry - muscleman contest organiser Jim Charles, who runs the famous Jim's Gym in Lye, has been a loyal Wolves supporter since his youth.

Back as a teenager in 1954 he was among a crowd of 60,000 who packed into Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium to watch his beloved team beat Hungarian team Honved 3-2 in a floodlit friendly international match after Hungary's double defeat of the England team in the days before the European Cup.

To mark the occasion, a commemorative black and gold striped tie was produced - which Jim had carefully kept safely stored away for 63 years.

But on a visit to the club's executive suite, as part of a wedding anniversary treat organised by his wife Val, Jim decided to dig out and show off his tie to Wolves Museum curator Pat Quirke who was reportedly "very excited about it".

Jim, aged 78, said: "It's pretty special. I've never worn it. It's in mint condition. It's possibly the only one in the world - if anybody had one and wore it or washed it the print would have disintegrated."

Pat Quirke added: "It's great. It's been looked after; it's in good condition and it's one that haven't seen before. It wasn't something the club had produced as the club didn't produce merchandise back then.

"That didn't happen until the 1960s and it started off with hats and scarves - it's a massive business now."

Anyone with any similar historic football merchandise they would like to showcase or would like information on can contact Pat by emailing info@wolves.co.uk