It was one of the greatest days in Norwich's recent history - but there was just one thing missing. Promoted to the Premiership as champions, players and staff paraded in front of fans following a 3-1 victory away to Crewe on the final day of the 2003/04 season.

It was one of the greatest days in Norwich's recent history - but there was just one thing missing.

Promoted to the Premiership as champions, players and staff paraded in front of fans following a 3-1 victory away to Crewe on the final day of the 2003/04 season.

But due to Football Association (FA) regulations they could not be handed the Championship trophy to take with them to the old-fashioned surroundings of Gresty Road.

So up stepped quick-thinking Norwich City fan Gordon Tate, who knew the FA rules and had taken his own trophy to the game in the hope of handing it over to the players.

He promptly did so and watched in delight as each player took turns holding the 1ft-high silver coloured trophy aloft, happily posing for pictures which would be published across the country and even feature in the autobiography of star striker Iwan Roberts, a two-goal hero on the day in his last match for the club.

Three years later, Mr Tate, a Canaries fan for 40 years, is giving fellow fans the chance to get their hands on the unique piece of football memorabilia by selling it to the highest bidder on auction website Ebay.

Mr Tate, from Burton on Trent, said: “I knew that teams were not allowed to be handed trophies when they were the away side and I thought it would be great to try to get a trophy on the pitch.

“With about 10 minutes left I went out of the ground to get it and snuck back in. As the players went on a lap of honour I shouted out Iwan's name and he came over and took the trophy. I could not believe it when all the players took it round and had a go with it and I was even more surprised when at the end the stewards returned it.”

Following the game Mr Tate, a social researcher for the Government, waited outside the ground for the players and had pictures taken with them and the trophy.

Since then the trophy has taken pride and place in his office, but he feels now is the time to give someone else the chance to display it.

He added: “I have the pictures and memories from that day so I don't really need the trophy. I want to give someone else the chance to have a piece of Norwich history.

“But I have absolutely no idea how much it will go for or how many people will be interested because it is not the sort of thing that goes up for sale every day.”

Mr Tate has pledged to give the money raised to the club for its youth team. The trophy will go on the website for 10 days from either today or tomorrow.

Ü Do you have a Norwich City story? Contact David Powles on 01603 772447 or e-mail david.powles@archant.co.uk