A CUP final medal dating back to 1890 was just one of the finds football memorabilia experts made when Blackburn Rovers opened their doors to the public at the weekend.

The open weekend, staged at Ewood Park, saw hundreds bring their old match programmes, footballs and magazines along to be valued during the day.

The cup final medal was valued at between £5,000 and £10,000, while other exciting finds included a rare Rovers silk scarf, dating back to the 1920s, other vintage cup final medals at around £3,000 and a bagful of programmes, dating back to the 1930s, worth a minimum of £500.

But the valuation service was only one of the attractions of the weekend, which also saw hundreds queue to get autographs from their favourite Rovers players.

Club organisers believe the weekend was so successful, it could become a permanent fixture every year.

Nick Hall, head of business development at the club, said around 7,000 had visited the ground during the weekend.

"The weekend has worked very well. A lot of people who are coming here will be in the stands at matches, but have perhaps not been in other parts of the ground. This has given them a chance to see places they wouldn't normally see and feel part of the club.

"This is a good way of the club just letting people come in and see what we have, and hopefully getting a bit of enjoyment out of it. We have heard of some people coming from quite a distance to be here, as well as Burnley supporters and a Man City fan."

Valuer Oliver Hambly, from Speciality Sports, who saw several hundred visitors with their memorabilia on Sunday, said: "We have had quite an amazing amount coming in. I have been amazed by the quality. The silk scarf from Rovers was quite a find - I have never come across anything like that before."

Hundreds also queued to get players' autographs on Sunday, and Saturday when visitors were able to watch a training session on the pitch.

Gemma Watson, 14, of Blackburn, said: "It is quite exciting to come here and see them training. I have got quite a few autographs already. Dunny's is my favourite."

Chelsea Symcox and Simone White, both 11, from Blackburn, were excited after getting Corrado Grabbi's signature. Chelsea said: "We have already got lots of them, but it's still really nice to come here."

Simone said: "We have got them before by waiting for them after the match."

Free guided tours were also on offer during the weekend, as well as a live fun fair and a craft fair.

Riaz Patel, a match-day supervisor, said: "The autograph signing has been really popular. Some people queued for more than an hour to get one."