THE goal-scoring hero of Stockport Schoolboys’ FA Trophy triumph - who was the Wayne Rooney of his era - has appealed for the return of his long-lost international caps.

Bryan ‘the boy’ Brennan scored more than 100 goals in the 1947-48 season, including a vital penalty to secure the 3-3 result that saw his side named joint winners of the competition with Liverpool.

Such exploits saw him captain the England Schoolboys side. He won six caps and was tipped to be the country's next footballing sensation.

But during a compulsory two-year stint where Bryan, then 18, was yanked from his promising career and joined the army his treasured possessions went missing and he has never seen them since.

And as he prepares to meet with old friends for the Stockport Schoolboys’ reunion he hopes for a double reason to celebrate.

Bryan, 75, said: "I went into the army but when I came back they disappeared and I don’t know what became of them. They really meant a lot to me. I would love to have them back after all this time. They are blue and are literally a cap if anyone had one it would be great if they can get in touch."

Bryan signed professional forms with his beloved Stockport County, spurning advances from several other clubs desperate to secure the services of English football’s hottest property.

But his stint as a gunner in the army and a knee operation interrupted his progress and he only made a handful of appearances. Following a spell at non-league Ellesmere Port he became disillusioned with football and faded into obscurity.

He earned a living as a lorry driver and settled in Halifax, Yorkshire, 40 years ago but still looks out for County's results.

Bryan, grandfather of two, said: "At the time you are too young to realise what an achievement it was but it was like Stockport County winning the FA Cup.

"I remember being in front of the Kop at Anfield taking a penalty, I just banged it as hard as I could. It was a huge moment but I’d always been taught to ignore the crowd. They were really exciting times and it will be great to see all the lads again and catch up on the last 60 years."