Some girls spend their money on the latest fashion, handbags or jewelry. Me? I buy football shirts!
My love for football shirts all started when I was a kid. My father, a Manchester United fan, had a shirt from 1996 which I use to wear with immense pride. I was 5 years old and the shirt was like a huge nightgown on me, but I did not care. I wanted to wear it everywhere I went. This shirt caused a bit of a problem back in the day, which led to a kit change at half time as the players could not see each other on the pitch. Although this kit is definitely not my favorite, it is one I would like to get back in my collection as it holds a special place in my heart.
(Image: Propperfoto/Getty)
As I grew older, my love for Manchester United turned into an obsession. I was such a tomboy and wore my clubs kits all the time. I didn't get the latest kits every season or anything like that, but occasionally, If my dad went away on a trip he was sure to bring me back a United jersey. He is definitely the reason I have a passion for my football shirts now. All through my childhood and teenage years, he would keep this tradition going. Sometimes, he would bring a local shirt back from wherever he went, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, Spain, etc.
My little collection started to have a bit of variety after all these years. Although the red devils were my number one, I still loved having others and learning about players round the world in different leagues. I remember in my primary school, Me and all the boys in my class would all wear football jerseys on tracksuit day (Once a week when we did P.E. which was no where near enough). We would compare and talk about the best players. It was obviously causing a bit of a problem, because soon after we got a letter home, saying "NO MORE FOOTBALL JERSEYS TO SCHOOL". We had to wear plain white polo shirts instead much to our annoyance. But we found other ways to chat football of course, with our premier league stickers and what not.
Fast forward to my adult life. I never changed, in fact I became more in love with the beautiful game. Pushing my love for Man Utd and football on to all around me. Family, Friends, Partners all became investors to my great collection. Every birthday, Christmas or anniversary basically meant I was about to get a new shirt.
The price of football shirts are mad money, especially nowadays, with kits being released from all directions, limited edition kits, ea sports kits, 4th kits, etc etc etc. It was hard to keep up really, which brought me to a huge decision, to STOP buying Manchester United kits. Why you ask? I'll tell you why.
In 2015, I decided it was the last time I buy a jersey from my beloved club. I was fed up of what was going on under the owners. The Glazers. Sometimes, love over shadows the bad, and makes you overlook what's really going on. I soon realized I was a part of the problem, and I took a stand and promised myself that I would not buy into the club and help line the pockets of the owners any more. I know I am only one person, so it won't make much of a difference to them, but I thought - If others thought like me then maybe we are on to something. That was also my last time at Old Trafford, sadly.
Now, I buy classics. I spend my money on old, pre-loved shirts bought from fans who may need the money, or just want to sell shirts they may have found in a charity shop. I buy from Adverts.ie mainly, but you can find some amazing classics on ebay.ie , depop.ie and gumtree.ie to name a few sites. That money goes to the people not the glazers, and that's good enough for me.
When my birthday or Christmas is approaching (Yes, I was born in December - what gave it away), I warn my family and partner "Please don't bother buying me any united shirts - don't waste your money". Once or twice, my plea has been forgotten and I may find one under the tree at Christmas. I'm pretty difficult to buy fort because all I really like is football, so I understand why it would slip their minds. Its a work in progress.
How many shirts do I currently have? Pfft. I couldn't tell ya. I know if I had of kept all the ones I had as a kid, I would need another house to store them that's for sure. Most football shirt lovers I speak to online, regret getting rid of old shirts they had growing up. Relatable. I often did a clear out for the charity shop, and I'd give my old shirts as I had newer ones. Worst thing I ever did because I've end up buying so many of them again.
Anyway, here is my entire collection (minus a few I've bought in the last year). If you do watch the video, I'd love to know which ones you liked the most.
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