A VERY special piece of Darlington footballing history has been sold at auction.

It may look a bit dull but this commemorative brick is an important part of Darlington's past.

It is one of only three bricks retrieved from “the Wembley of the north” when the twin towers at the entrance to Darlington FC’s Feethams ground were demolished in 2013.

Perhaps the inspiration for Wembley built in 1923, Darlington's 'twin towers' were built ten years previously.

The brick comes with a signed letter explaining its provenance, and so auctioneer Peter Robinson put an estimate of £30 to £50 on it.

The brick sold for £85 and the bidder wasn't revealed.

There were no buyers premium or charges and 100% of the sale is going to St Teresa’s Hospice.

Darlington's seasoned football fans will know of the charm of Feethams' towers.

Wembley’s twin towers were demolished in 2003, whereas Darlington’s lasted until 2013.

Rotarian Tony Marshall was passing as they were felled and was allowed to remove three bricks as souvenirs. He has since given one away, is keeping the other but the third was auctioned at Thomas Watson Auctioneers in Darlington yesterday.

Darlington Rotary Club donated 28 items to the auction all to raise money for St Teresa’s Hospice.

Darlington Rotary Club President, Peter Phillips, said: “We love raising money for local charities and St Teresa’s seemed like a very worthy cause.

“It’s wonderful that all this money is going straight to St Teresa’s Hospice.

“I’m delighted with how today has gone.

“St Teresa’s is a cause we support regularly, and this will be a much needed boost to their funds.”

Rotary organiser Alan Cowie said: ‘We have held auctions before to raise money for our charities, but they have been quite small affairs.

‘This is the first time we have partnered with Thomas Watson’s, who have kindly allowed us time during one of their regular public auctions to sell some extraordinary items for our local hospice.’

Other items on offer included; a sports car for a weekend from SG Petch (sold for £110), an Edwardian silver jug (sold for £80) and a quilt made by a traditional Amish community in the USA (sold for £220).