“This is a very exciting moment for the club, the town and for rochdalehornets.com,” said a delighted Jim Stringer after the auction of memorabilia organised by Sportingold in Northampton.

“The medal is not only a great piece of Rochdale Hornets’ club history, it’s a great piece of Rugby League history too.

“It’s important to acknowledge not only the club’s finest moment, but also the role our club has played in the development of the game over the last 108 years.”

The medal is particularly special as 1922 was Hornets’ only triumph in the famous competition and also the last time the trophy was fought for under it’s original name, the Northern Rugby Football Union Challenge Cup.

Mark Webster added: “In these troubled times for our club it’s good to celebrate Hornets’ long and proud history. Bringing the medal back into the club’s family is something we were very keen to do. “Like Prince, we’re proud to bring the medal back to Rochdale.”

The medal will be making a guest appearance at a future Nest Egg meeting.

(Picture of Jim and Tony Webster courtesy of the Rochdale Observer Sport's section