Former owner and manager of Cornard United, Chris Symes, is auctioning off almost 100 signed football shirts, amassed during his time involved at the club.

Signatures penned on the shirts include Eric Cantona’s and the late George Best’s, while there is also an Arsenal shirt featuring the scribbles of ex-Arsenal trio Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

There is also a special jersey signed by Stuart Pearce and his England Under-21s squad - a gesture for using the facilities at Cornard a couple of years ago.

“I have around 100 of them, from Cantona to Best, Manchester City to Colchester United, all signed and framed,” said Symes, who last year released his autobiography, including life managing in the English non-league as well as in the lower divisions of Scottish football.

“Many of the shirts I have collected from players and teams who used the Cornard facilities to train. Instead of taking a payment, I would ask for a signed shirt and they adorned the walls at Cornard.

“I have now left the club and the shirts went with me, and they will all be auctioned off.”

The collection of Symes, who also managed Braintree Town, Bury Town and Chelsmford City, can be viewed on Saturday August 30 and Monday September 1, between 9-5pm at Colchester-based Reeman & Dansie Auctioneers, before the actual auction is held between 9-5pm on Wednesday September 3.

The auction house is based at 8 Wyncolls Road, Severals Business Park, Colchester, CO4 9HU.