Soccer: Reid to auction World Cup souvenirs

Winston Reid in action at the FIFA World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Whites defender Winston Reid is ready to put some of his mementoes from the World Cup up for auction to raise funds for quake-hit Christchurch.

Reid, who plays for West Ham in the English Premier League, said he had kept abreast of developments in New Zealand after the earthquake and had been on the phone checking on the safety of friends and family.

He was reassured none of them was caught up in the devastation and told reporters prior to West Ham's 3-1 win over Liverpool this morning that he would do his part to help with the recovery effort.

"I'm trying to sort some stuff out for the people back home at the moment.

"I'll be auctioning some things for charity. I have a few contacts down there so I'll see what I can do. I'll be auctioning jerseys, boots and some other signed items. There might be some of my things from the World Cup too," he said.

Reid, 22, was on the bench against Liverpool and failed to make it onto the field

He shot to national prominence last year after scoring a stoppage time header against Slovakia at the tournament in South Africa to draw the match and earn New Zealand's first points in the World Cup.

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen, whose family live in Christchurch, donned a black armband for Blackburn's game against Aston Villa yesterday. He was sent off late in the match after a second yellow card in Blackburn's 4-1 loss.

- NZPA