A mystery Yorkshire buyer is the envy of Bradford City fans after paying a wallet-emptying £22,800 for an FA Cup winners medal won by a Bantams player in 1911.

The 15-carat gold medal sold for almost four times the estimated price during furious bidding at Sotheby's in London yesterday and was the most expensive item in the auction of football memorabilia.

It had been awarded to Bradford City's Northern Ireland international outside-left Frank Thompson after the club's historic 1-0 win over Newcastle United in a replay at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The first match at Crystal Palace ended scoreless in what was known as Coronation final as it was played in the year George V took the throne.

The medal had been offered for sale by an anonymous source but Bradford City chief executive Julian Rhodes said the club was not able to be among the bidders because of its financial problems.

Today, a club spokesman said it was hoped the mystery buyer would allow the medal to be displayed alongside the ball from the final in an exhibition of memorabilia being held to mark the Bantam's centenary year.

Rachel Aked, of Sotheby's, said the medal had generated fierce bidding. "There was a lot of interest from Ireland which is where Frank Thompson came from although the buyer is from Yorkshire and could well be a Bradford City fan," she said.

A rare souvenir programme from the 1911 final, which originally cost one penny, sold for £3,840, again well in excess of the estimate of £1,800 to £2,500. Three international caps won by Frank Thompson sold for £1,920.

The FA Cup win sealed the most successful season in Bradford City's history with the club also finishing fifth in the First Division.

Scottish striker Jimmy Speirs scored the winning goal in the final replay with a header.

Ecstatic fans packed Bradford city centre to await the team's return from Manchester by train.

Bradford City also made history in 1911 by being the first club to win the new FA Cup - which was designed in Bradford by William Norman, of gold and silversmiths Fattorini and Sons, and was chosen by the FA from 250 designs.

The sterling silver trophy cost 50 guineas, or £52.50, and was made at Fattorini's works in Birmingham.

Frank Thompson was bought by Bradford City in 1910 and scored 13 goals in 60 appearances before joining Scottish club Clyde in 1913. He then became manager of Ayr. He died aged 77.