He was once worth £20million

David James forced into auctioning signed memorabilia, a van and petrol chainsaw after being declared bankrupt in May.

Former England goalkeeper David James has been forced into auctioning signed shirts, shorts and match balls after being declared bankrupt in May.

James has built up debts after breaking up with his wife Tanya in 2005 and is said to have blown his £20million fortune which came from his football wages, endorsements and modelling contracts for companies such as Armani.

The 44-year-old played in the Premier League for teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Portsmouth and has recently came out of retirement to become a player-manager at Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters.

Until the revelations, no-one inside the James circle was aware of the desperate financial situation that forced him to Hertford County Court.

The former England keeper has written a regular column for The Observer and has always donated his fee to charity. He also owned a house in Dubai at the time of a credit crisis, which was part of his property portfolio.

James has decided to sell around 150 items of signed merchandise through Kent-based auctioneer Hilco.

The public will be able to bid for items, which range from football memorabilia to DJ equipment and toys, from November 6 to 18. 

A signed Frank Lampard shirt, a bright pink Portsmouth goalkeeper top and a NFL jersey are among the 150 items. 

James has even put up for auction shirts worn by Chelsea's Petr Cech in the 2010 FA Cup final against Portsmouth, a Holland jersey he swapped with Edwin van der Sar and a Michael Owen No 10 kit with 'best wishes' penned across it.

A 1998-1999 multicoloured Port Vale FC goalkeeper shirt - which he would have swapped with former Manchester United trainee Kevin Pilkington - is also available to buy.

James kept a clean sheet against Port Vale in January 1999 with Owen, Paul Ince and Robbie Fowler among the goalscorers.  

You can also get your hands on non-football items such as a Technics turntable, three bicycles and even a a Jubilee plastic half-mug piece. And, if you fancy it, a petrol chainsaw.

He is still listed as being part of BT Sport's media team - despite signing up for the 10-week long Indian Super League along with fellow former Premier League stars such as Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Nicolas Anelka. 

James, who made 53 appearances for England between 1997 and 2010, was forced into paying his ex-wife Tanya £3m in 2005 as part of their divorce settlement. 

He won two major honours during his spell in England - the 1994-95 League Cup with Liverpool and the 2007-08 FA Cup with Portsmouth before moving to Iceland to join IBV.