Shamrock Rovers are hoping for the return of a signed football presented to them before they took on Matt Busby's Manchester United in 1957.

The ball is due to be sold by Whyte's Auction house on December 14 but Rovers are appealing for its return.

The Shamrock Rovers Heritage Trust say that the ball, which was signed by United's players and management team, was given to the Hoops prior to the second leg of their European Cup clash at Old Trafford in 1957.

It was kept by one of the Shamrock Rovers players at the time and passed down through their family.

A spokesman for the Trust said that the club and its fans would like to see the ball "back where it came from" and that it would be given a permanent and appropriate home in the display cabinet in Tallaght Stadium.

Whyte's who are handling the sale said the ball is a "very rare item" and that there has been a lot of interest in its sale from individuals in Ireland and the UK.

Stuart Purcell of Whyte's said the ball had been left on a top of the wardrobe of a relative of the former Rovers players for years and that they were reluctant for sentimental reasons to sell it but that they wanted it to have a good home.

He added that items featuring the signatures of the Busby Babes are rare and that a signed photography of the squad was sold several years ago from €4,500.

The ball is signed by Matt Busby, Geoff Bent, Johnny Berry, Roger Byrne, Jackie Blanchflower, Joe Carolan, Bobby Charlton, Jack Crompton, Duncan Edwards, Ian Greaves, Mark Jones, Noel McFarlane, David Pegg, Albert Scanlon, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan.

Rovers were beaten 3-2 on the night, just months before a plane carrying the United squad on their way back from Belgrade crashed on take off, killing 23 passengers, including eight players.

Dubliner Liam Whelan, who scored twice against Rovers in the first leg at Dalymount Park, was among those who lost their life.