A football programme signed by the Supreme Allied Commander of troops in Europe at a cup final weeks before the D-Day landings is to be auctioned.

Dwight D Eisenhower attended the Football League War Cup between Charlton and Chelsea on April 15 1944 in a move aimed at fooling Hitler and the Nazis into believing that the Normandy Landings were not imminent.

The five star General was introduced to the players on the pitch and even handed the cup to Charlton captain Don Welsh after the 3-1 win on April 15 1944.

At the time it was critical to the invasion that the Nazis didn't receive any intelligence about D-Day, codenamed Operation Overlord.

His appearance was highly publicised in a bid to fool Hitler into thinking the Allies were on the back foot.