AN ENGLAND caps that belonged a former goalkeeper who played for Dorchester Town Football Club has been handed over to the Magpies following his death.

Cyril Hewitt, who was born in Bere Regis in 1933, represented England at youth level during his playing days.

After being called up at 16 played five times and received three England caps, with players only receiving one cap for a tournament back then.

His international appearances came against Wales, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria and Spain.

Cyril's career would take him on to Portsmouth and he reportedly turned down the chance to move to Liverpool.

Son Kevin said that at the time Liverpool were actually in a lower division than Portsmouth and his dad was "not keen on going up north".

He said that he had been told former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly, who would go on to lead the side to domestic and European glory in the 1960s and 1970s event came down in an attempt to persuade Cyril to move but he would not be swayed.

Following his stint at Portsmouth Cyril went to Yeovil to play part time and ended up playing for Dorchester in 1956, when he was signed by then player manager Ken Bird and became a firm favourite with Magpies fans over the next five years.

Besides football, Cyril also worked as a farmer and with the old Army fire brigade at Bovington before going on to Bere Regis as part time station officer.

He was a keen cricketer and heavily involved in the Royal British Legion.

Following his death Kevin and brother Gary decided to give one of his England caps to Dorchester Town FC and one to Poole Football Club, where their dad also played.

He handed over the cap and other memorabilia to chairman Matt Lucas and Magpies director Adam Robertson.

Cyril's wife Brenda passed away 16 years ago and he had four granddaughters - Michelle, Kimberley, Gemma and Danielle.