ONE of the first Olympic medals ever awarded for football is going up for sale in Oxford.

Harold Hardman, who went on to become chairman of Manchester United, won the gold medal at the 1908 London games.

His career in football saw him go from an amateur footballer while still working as a solicitor to chairman of Manchester United in the era of the Busby Babes - eight of whom were killed in the Munich air disaster in 1958.

The fourth modern Olympiad, held at short notice in London in 1908, was the first to include an official ‘association’ football tournament.

Only eight teams entered the competition, with the hosts beating Denmark 2-0 in the gold-medal match in front of 8,000 fans at the White City Stadium on October 24.

Oxford Mail:

Wearing the number 11 shirt for Great Britain, playing outside left, was Harold Payne Hardman.

Born in Manchester, Hardman was discovered as a schoolboy by Second Division Blackpool.

He made his debut as an 18-year-old in a home draw against Gainsborough Trinity on September 8, 1900, the first competitive game ever played at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road ground.

Hardman signed for Everton in 1903 for a fee of £100, appearing for the Toffees in the 1906 FA Cup winning side, but after Olympic gold he returned to Manchester to open a solicitor’s practice in the city.

Although capped by Manchester United on just four occasions in the 1908-09 season, Hardman’s association with his boyhood club lasted for the rest of his life.

After stints at Bradford and Stoke, he was first appointed a MUFC director in 1912 and served as chairman from 1951 until his death in 1965.

During his tenure as chairman the club won four league titles and saw the creation of the famous ‘Busby Babes’ team under the management of Sir Matt Busby.

Hardman’s poignant response to the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight players, was published on the front page of the ‘United Review’ match programme, against Sheffield Wednesday, on February 19 1958.

He wrote: "Although we mourn our dead and grieve for our wounded, we believe that great days are not done for us.

"The road back may be long and hard but with the memory of those who died at Munich, of their stirring achievements and wonderful sportsmanship ever with us, Manchester United will rise again."

Oxford Mail:

The medal was made by Australian sculptor and medallist Bertram Mackennal, who was commissioned to design the medals for the 1908 summer games.

He chose a scene of two female figures placing a laurel crown on the head of a victorious athlete, while to the reverse is Saint George.

Is is expected to bring anywhere from £10,000 to £15,000 when it is auctioned at Oxford's Mallams Auctioneers on Wednesday.

For more information visit mallams.co.uk.