By ADAM LAZZARI AN FA Cup runners-up medal has been stolen from the family of a former Wisbech Town player-manager. Joe Robinson managed the Fenmen between July 1953 and May 1956 and made 102 appearances for the club in those three seasons. He won the me

By ADAM LAZZARI

AN FA Cup runners-up medal has been stolen from the family of a former Wisbech Town player-manager.

Joe Robinson managed the Fenmen between July 1953 and May 1956 and made 102 appearances for the club in those three seasons.

He won the medal playing for Blackpool in 1948 and it was presented to him by King George VI.

Blackpool were beaten 4-2 by Manchester United.

Mr Robinson died on July 12, 1991, at the age of 72.

The medal was stolen in a burglary at the home of his son, Keith, in Lower Withington, near Macclesfield.

Constable Gary Turner said: "Joe Robinson who played for Blackpool, Hartlepool and Hull City and Wisbech Town, passed away some time ago and the medal commemorates a very significant event in his life.

"He was playing alongside the likes of Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson and in front of a crowd of 100,000 fans. Although Blackpool lost, the all-Lancashire match generated a lot of excitement. It is remembered as one of the greatest Cup Finals of all time.

"The medal is obviously important to the family and its loss is a real blow to them. I would like to hear from anyone who has any idea where it may be or from anyone who is approached by someone offering it for sale."

The gold medal has two footballers and a football on one side and, on the other, a diamond-cut inscription "The Football Association Challenge Cup. Runners Up. J. Robinson. Blackpool FC 1947-48."

A Number of watches and a quantity of jewellery were also stolen in the burglary on January 11.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the medal or any information about the burglary should contact Constable Gary Turner or Detective Sergeant Tony King on the Cheshire Police Information Line 0845 458 0000.