Jermaine Beckford is hopeful that the woman who was caught on TV cameras grabbing the Preston North End striker's shirt off a young fan returns it to the boy.
After Beckford's hat-trick in Sunday's 4-0 win over Swindon Town in the League One playoff final at Wembley, the 31-year-old threw his shirt into the crowd.
Seconds later, a woman, who has now been named as Vickie Timbrell, was seen taking the shirt off the youngster and it was allegedly later put up for sale on Gumtree for a price of £1,500, but the ad was eventually removed.
Beckford has now called on the woman to return the match-worn shirt to the young boy, who has been identified as eight-year-old Ted Dockray.
"That is a shame [that the shirt was taken], if I am honest" the Daily Mail quotes Beckford as saying. "I did it out of good will. I assumed it would go to a good home with someone who was able to enjoy the game. Hopefully it gets back to the kid."
Ms Timbrell has now spoken out and insists that the incident has been 'misunderstood' because she is a family friend of the young boy.
"People have made me out to be an absolute idiot," the publication quotes her as saying. "I will be speaking to the family - I actually know them, they're friends."
After the incident was shown on TV, a Facebook page was set up in the hope of finding the shirt and returning it to the young supporter.
Danielle Joynson
