The following 27 lots were collected by Joe Mercer and have been consigned by his family. Joe Mercer joined Everton in September 1932 at the age of 18 and made 186 appearances for Everton and he gained five England caps between 1938 and 1939. Mercer lost out on seven seasons of football due to the Second World War. Mercer moved in late 1946 for £9,000 to Arsenal, soon after he became club captain, Mercer went on to win an F.A. Cup winner's medal in 1950 and was voted F.W.A. Footballer of the Year the same year. Mercer played 275 times for Arsenal in all. After his playing career ended Mercer worked as a journalist and a grocer. On 18 August 1955, he returned to football, becoming manager of Sheffield United. in December 1958, he resigned and moved to Aston Villa. He then enjoyed great success as a manager with Manchester City between 1965 and 1971. In his first season at Maine Road, the club won the 1966 Second Division title to regain top-flight status. Two seasons later Mercer led Manchester City to the 1968 First Division championship, and went on to win the FA Cup (1969), League Cup (1970), and European Cup Winners' Cup (1970). He later became manager of Coventry City, whom he managed from 1972 to 1974. During the same time Mercer was also caretaker manager of the England national football team for a brief period in 1974 after Sir Alf Ramsey's resignation.