The wooden rattle, made for the final 69 years ago by a local carpenter, had been collecting dust ever since – until Saturday came.

It was given to Jill Gowland and her husband Bob – who was a huge Pompey fan – by carpenter and next-door-neighbour Jim Ayres.

After Mr Gowland's death Mrs Gowland kept the historic piece and was there in his memory for the FA Cup parade, waving the rattle at the coaches passing by.

Mrs Gowland, 62, of Bramshott Road, Southsea, said: 'I think it nearly deafened the people next to me – it is so noisy. I had a lot of comments about it at the parade, it has "Pompy" written all over it, but the spelling is wrong.'

She added: 'I never thought I would get the chance to use it – it has been under my stairs for about 30 years. I think it is good for the city to have it.'

Mr Ayres, who lived in Eastfield Road, Southsea, had made the rattle to celebrate Pompey's success in reaching the 1939 FA Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He passed it on to Mr and Mrs Gowland several years later.

Mrs Gowland added: 'My husband loved going to the football with my son Andy – he went to the game at Wembley and was there for Bob too.'

Andy Gowland had wanted to take the rattle to the final at Wembley but didn't want to risk it being confiscated.

Andy, 37, of Grayshott Road, Southsea, said: 'My mum had to wave it at her TV screen instead on Saturday.

'At the parade everyone was very curious about it and it seemed to be a good luck charm on the day.

He added: 'Hopefully it won't be another 69 years before we get to use it again.'