Two men have been found guilty of forging the signatures of football players and then selling the memorabilia.
Faisal Madani and Graeme Walker denied the charges at Chester Crown Court but were found guilty of forging the signatures of stars such as Wayne Rooney, Pele and Steven Gerrard.
The signed items were then sold at the pair's Sporting Icons shop in Chester to unsuspecting fans.
"This has been a long and complex investigation, but today's court result will be welcomed by sports fans everywhere," Cheshire County Council's director of community services, John Weeks told the BBC.
"Ruthless exploitation of the devotion that fans show their clubs and sporting heroes was exposed on a scale which shocked us and, indeed, helped fund a high street business," he added.
It was also revealed that the investigation into Madani and Walker had been assisted by Liverpool and Manchester United.
The club's players also played a part, as did Newcastle United's Michael Owen and rugby union's Jonny Wilkinson.
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21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
