Collecting Football Shirts: My Son’s Growing Collection
Collecting football shirts is something my son Ben thoroughly enjoys and I will never truly understand! As a parent, even though I am not particularly interested in football, I’ve found myself immersed in this world through my son’s growing collection. His excitement is contagious, and it’s fascinating to see so many different designs. Whether you’re a football enthusiast, a sports memorabilia collector, or a parent of a young sports fan, there’s something incredibly special about collecting these pieces of history. That said, they can be expensive!
Budget-Friendly Collecting: Vintage Shirts
Buying vintage football shirts can help reduce costs, but it also adds an element of treasure hunting to the process. Each shirt comes with its own history, and unravelling the background adds a new layer of joy to the collection. Moreover, vintage shirts often carry a charm that modern replicas simply can’t replicate. Finding a shirt design you love then finding it was the one a team won their league in is something Ben loves to do.
Spotlight on the Liverpool 1986 Retro Football Shirt
Among my son’s favourites is the iconic Liverpool 1986 retro football shirt. If you, like me, are not a football fan let me explain why this shirt is so iconic. The 1985/86 season was Kenny Dalglish’s first as manager, and he led the team to a historic double victory, clinching both the FA Cup and the League Title.
Ben was born in 2005 so this shirt was popular long before he was born but for older collectors it may bring back memories of Ian Rush’s phenomenal performance, especially his two goals in both the FA Cup Semi-Final and Final against Southampton and Everton, respectively. Liverpool’s triumph didn’t stop there; they kicked off the new season at Wembley against Everton in the Charity Shield. Rush scored Liverpool’s goal in a 1-1 draw, resulting in Liverpool and Everton sharing the Charity Shield for six months each.
Where to Find Authentic Retro Shirts: Toffs
Finding authentic retro football shirts can be a challenge, but websites like Toffs make it easier. Toffs is a leading supplier of vintage and retro football shirts, renowned for their quality and authenticity. Their collection spans decades, offering shirts that are perfect for both seasoned collectors and those just starting out. For parents like me, Toffs provides a reliable source to find budget-friendly, genuine shirts that will make any football fan’s day.
Below is Ben wearing the Liverpool shirt at a location you may recognise if you are a fan of the show The Apprentice with Lord Sugar choosing an entrepreneur to partner with in business.
Tips for Starting and Growing a Football Shirt Collection
For those looking to start or grow their football shirt collection, here are some valuable tips:
Authenticity: Ensure the shirts are authentic. Look for reputable sellers like Toffs or check for authenticity markers on the shirts.
Condition: Pay attention to the condition of the shirts. While vintage shirts might show some wear, they should still be in good condition.
Budget: Be mindful of your budget. Buying vintage shirts can be a cost-effective way to build a collection without breaking the bank. Check out charity shops too as we have found some gems in those over the years.
Research: Do your research. Learn about the history of the shirts and the significance of different seasons and players. What might seems a boring shirt could have a huge history if you check it out.
Ben’s shirts
Ben has probably got about 50 different shirts at a guess, some are more recent than others and he has a few signed shirts too which we recently had framed for his bedroom wall. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you will likely have seen that every photo of him is in a different team’s shirt!
Ben’s shirts are from a total of around 30 different clubs I think, some clubs he has a few shirts from, his favourites are Mansfield Town (our local team who just got promoted to League 1!), Liverpool, and Manchester United. To be honest though he loves football so much he is happy with any team except the local rivals! For his 18th birthday as a memorable gift I got him 18 different football shirts for his collection!
Ben also enjoys visiting football grounds and we have reviewed a few stadium tours (and visited others!) so if you need any parents views on the tours let me know! We have done tours of Newcastle United, Wembley, Manchester United, West Ham, Liverpool FC, and taken photos outside many many others!
Perfect for gift ideas
Football shirts make perfect gift ideas and with a site like Toffs you can get something for all budgets and whether you are buying a gift for an Arsenal fan, a Mansfield Town fan or someone like Ben who loves most football teams you are sure to find something perfect within your budget.
