Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills accept some rare memorabilia on behalf of the Club.

The Sydney Swans Foundation has been boosted by the donation of rare pieces of football memorabilia.

Long-time Swans fan and collector Craig Meade has generously donated a number of special items including South Melbourne VFA premiership playing caps from 1888, 1889 and 1890 along with premiership medals from 1918 and 1933.

The significant pieces are valued at $500,000, however, the items won’t be sold and instead they will take pride of place in a museum at the club’s new training facility which is still in its planning stages.

Swans Team of the Century member Tony Morwood, who runs the Swans Foundation, said the Foundation is extremely appreciative of the generous donation.

“The Swans Foundation was delighted to receive the amazing pieces of Club memorabilia dating back to the late 1800s from Craig Meade,” Morwood said.

“Craig is an original member of our Melbourne based Blood Brothers, a passionate member who fully supports the work of the Foundation and the role it plays in funding the Sydney Swans Academy.

“Craig wanted his collection to be housed back at the Club, in its rightful home, to enable all fans to view our great history when our museum is open for display.”

The donation was made possible by the Australian Sports Foundation’s special allowance that provides tax deductions for property endowments to sporting bodies.

“The individual had these wonderful historic pieces and he wanted to benefit Australian Rules football, particularly the Swans,” Australian Sports Foundation CEO Patrick Walker told the SMH.

“He donated it through us (the Australian Sports Foundation) which allows him a tax deduction. We will then grant it out to the Swans Foundation and they’re going to use it as part of a museum to generate funds, which will then be passed on to fund their academy.

“In that way, it will help young footballers in Sydney progress and develop and perhaps go through to perform at the highest level.”

The Swans Foundation has invested greatly in the development of the game in New South Wales by contributing to the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

The Foundation will also look to play a big role in the Club’s new training and administration facility where these memorabilia items and other significant pieces of football history will soon be on full display in a museum.