In the late 1880s some well-intentioned Polish scientist invented Esperanto. You know, that pan European theoretical language that not a single one of us has ever assimilated – because we’ve never needed to. We have football. That is our common language and has been throughout my adult, working lifetime.
Fess up time: I am unusual within the MFW community in that I have been to so many countries in Europe but never, ever even once ventured out of the continent. And I doubt I ever will now.
At this point turn your heads away from the pictures of examples of my personal shirt collection, dear readers. Questions will follow at the end. This article is in the spirit [but not the style] of MFW’s Chris Sadler so you’ll have to tarry awhile.
I had a terrific suit job for 20 years. It involved getting folks to speak with me about work issues they would probably rather keep to themselves. But a Norwich City club tie or a bullet badge on the jacket lapel was always an icebreaker. Middlesbrough, Manchester, Liverpool and even Hadleigh which is very close to Ip5wich as we all know. Nearly everybody who saw the tie or pin badge started to talk football. Whoever they happened to support. Which was never us, of course.
When I lived on Mallorca on and off my immediate neighbour Carlos was Real Madrid and a good mate down the road, Rafa, was Barca. Carlos spoke no English but Rafa was pretty good. I learned a fair bit of Spanish from both of them and all through football.
I remember being stuck in a bar in Calais at stupid o’clock with the hangover from hell waiting for my EuroTunnel slot. Mine host was a Racing Club de Lens fan who only wanted to talk to me about Man bleedin’ U. In French. I didn’t bite the hand that fed me but it’s really awkward to slip into a barely-functional second language when you’ve got the skull-ache.
Germany speaks for itself. That’s a place where you don’t need the lingo. Every German I have ever met loves to speak English [okay, American] but I used to work there a lot and their obsession with football is very much equal to our own. Great folks.
So of course [cue Chris S] there must be some questions and, hopefully, answers.
Through my travels I have picked up some amazing football tops. I haven’t portrayed the obvious Real Mallorca ones I own, my classic UNICEF Barca shirt or indeed my official Espana tops from the Noughties. Red for usual. Blue for a change strip. I’m no member of the *Dandy Lads Club* but that Spanish blue top is the finest I’ve ever seen. I still play tennis it now and again, imagining I’m Manacor’s finest.
Before I ask the questions [Chris wouldn’t have waited this long] I’d love to know what your unique pieces of memorabilia are. Or were. Even if they’ve got lost in a move or something. I never had Sir Stanley’s boots or Paul Blades’ wig, but maybe you did?
I’d love to know so don’t hesitate if you own/have owned something special. Tell me.
The questions were obvious from the outset BUT what do the shirts on the coat-hangers above actually represent? Only two of the three are actually dedicated to football but there’s a twist in working out the rogue. And as for the small inset picture it’s obvious whose shirt it once was. But how did I become the proud and legal owner of it?
This time around the usual MFW prize of a stale ham sandwich and a cup of stone cold espresso goes to any reader who can get three out of four.
I’m sure somebody somewhere must have a shirt once worn by Percy Varco. Now is the time to tell us!
Well Mr P, I have no old football shirts, so can’t add to your story, though I usually buy a new NCFC one each season, as I had a bit of a ‘windfall’ from the club several years ago. I guess there will be a glut of unsold shirts this season and I do like the 3rd kit, as it is just quite unique.
So, only a few more days until the transfer window slams shut for 11 whole weeks!! The question all NCFC fans will be asking – will Emi/Max/Todd still be here by the time the team walk out onto the pitch at the New York stadium on Saturday?
For what it’s worth, I’ve a feeling that TC may well be staying at CR, but he’s going to have to eat a large helping of ‘humble pie’ before DF welcomes him back into the match day squad. IMO, a lot of the rumours were probably down to his agent looking for his share of the spoils – the COMPLETE opposite of how Rio Ferdinand handled Godfrey’s move.
It was just as well that the Israeli goalkeeper didn’t watch the highlights of the FA Cup game V Spurs, as the ‘Mayor’s’ penalty against Israel was almost identical to the one that he took on that memorable night.
I was reading a rather interesting article by Connor Southwell yesterday re the Premier League shrinking to 18 teams and wanting even MORE money – all this at a time when no one knows when and if stadia will ever be full of spectators again, which is a massive revenue stream for clubs outside the PL. They also want a greater say in how the game should be run. As Connor points out in his article, the fans are thought to be no longer important or worthy of consideration when making changes.
Morning Ed
First off that was indeed a very good article from Connor and I think he summed up what so many of us must be thinking right now. Greed? It’s gluttony of gargantuan proportions.
I try to buy a City shirt every other season as a trade-off between desire and economy. I sold off about 20 during a house move about 10 years ago but I seem to have accumulated the same amount again since then. So I’m probably actually acquiring two per season!
I’ve got a lot of respect for Rio – you’re quite right there.
So much smoke & mirrors in the Cantwell thing but I too can sniff an agent at *work*. He could have learned a lot from Max [here for now] and Ben [gone with our collective blessing]. But hey ho – that’s the curl of the burl, the way of the world.
The name the *New York Stadium* always brings a much needed smile.
Cheers.
For those not on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/MrGunny1963/status/1315548637959774209?s=20
It’s absolutely great when something that might have been considered a jackanory by some folks is confirmed by the likes of the top geezer that is Gunny.
He’s the only guy in the UK that could have correctly answered that question [apart from a few of my old drinking buddies] and it saves me having to explain the shirt’s provenance when I give the definitives out later today 🙂
Bet nobody gets the red and white O2 one!
HI Martin. Thanks for the ref! Didn’t know I had a style or a spirit, but my favourite punctuation mark is indeed the question mark. Or is it?
Anyway, another great article posing a few points to ponder. Alas can’t answer the questions, but can say the favourite shirt I own is from my second team, Fort William FC, an away shirt from 10 years ago. I’m guessing that’s fairly unique!
Best wishes all!
Cs
Hi Chris
Fort William? I’ve been there [as a place in northern Scotland] so I presume they’re in the Highland League or something akin to it.
I’ll stick with my beloved Celtic for now. I’ve only ever had two Hoops shirts and the sole one I have now came from the club shop online relatively recently to celebrate a certain achievement. You don’t tend to find those in thrift shops!
Thanks mate.
Hi Martin, you’ve told me the story of the black top so I won’t post a spoiler. The red hooped top is made by O’Neills so I guess it’s a GAA team-I’ll go for Dublin. The middle one looks like something made by a real company called Sh1tShirts. I have seen groups of lads on pub crawls wearing them so I’ll guess yours is from a stag night. I think you gave us a clue about the blue one-a Real Madrid away top.
I’ve got a few Celtic shirts. I have Scotland, Croatia and South Africa national shirts and both River Plate and Boca Juniors shirts from my brother’s time living in Buenos Aires-one of my greatest football days was going to the derby game at LaBombonera when Boca beat the Diego Simeone managed River with a goal by Martin Palermo.
Someone told me that the 1993 egg and cress shirt sells for £175.00. Maybe I’ll sell mine to finance a share of a season ticket if we ever get to go back
Hi Don
You are SO close but not a single cigar I’m afraid.
GAA – correct, but it’s hurling rather than Gaelic football and from a County about as far away from Dublin as you can get. It’s not really a spoiler to say that the club are known as the Rebels so you’ll know straight away.
I’ve never seen Real Madrid play in the J-league so it’s not one of theirs.
As for the tailored jobby, Bryan Gunn bought it in the first place and I liked it enough to pick it up from a charity shop when he donated it to them on his move up north – years ago now.
So Sh1tShirts? Gunny and I didn’t think so at the time but retrospectively you might be right of course 🙂
I’m extremely impressed with your collection. Particularly the Boca and R Plate ones. I know you can buy them online but surely it’s not the same. It cannot be.
As I might have said before I had the original egg&cress too which bobbled up like no other – inferior manufacture – but it was still good enough to include with the job lot I sold on a move which I mentioned to Ed [above].
ST share is still on the Tarots. I’m keeping it going for this season so if we get back for 21-22 we’re on. Personally I think the Club have handled Covid matters pretty well really.
Thanks mate.
PS. I could use Paul Blades’ wig these days. A fine mop of hair that lad had.
Ha! With no research whatsoever I think he was a record signing at the time.
Good God.
Hi Martin. Lovely article and wonderful to see Gunny vindicating what could have been perceived by many as a Melton Mowbray….
I still own an Olympique Marseille shirt that I bought in 2000 (see link) that I still think stands up by today’s standards;
https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/1999-00-olympique-marseille-away-shirt-excellent-l-656779.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5ig8fKv7AIVmLPtCh1OmQMkEAQYASABEgIHXfD_BwE
£75?! Perhaps I should flog it!
I also bought, from eBay, Darren Eadie’s match worn shirt from 1995.
It’s packaged up in the loft and ready for framing when we finish our extension. But the link below is the shirt;
https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/1994-96-norwich-away-shirt-excellent-xl.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuab14vOv7AIVia3tCh2izALXEAQYASABEgLOr_D_BwE
A good read for a Monday.
Hope all is well.
Hi Martin
That Marseille one looks really good. Adidas stuff has always been top notch, from Santiago trainers to many, many shirts. I don’t think we’ve ever had a kit produced by them but I could be wrong.
Darren Eadie seemed genuinely really happy to sign stuff. He and Mike Milligan officially opened JD Sports on Gentlemens Walk at around the time he would have worn your shirt. My mate Andrew was the manager of said shop and I can recall him telling me afterwards that nothing was too much trouble for Eadie.
I popped in briefly to wish Andy well beforehand and both players were already there so I had a very quick chat and buggered off as I guessed it was going to be a busy evening all round.
Yeah we’re good – I’ll give you a shout over half term or vice versa.
Cheers
https://www.footballkitarchive.com/norwich-city-1983-84-home-kit/
Told you I could be wrong. And I was 🙂
Looks like it was a three-season contract, mate
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Norwich_City/Norwich_City.htm
I was stuck in London in the early 80s so didn’t see very much of us at all so I’ve kind of got an excuse – no internet, b&w pics in the nationals and TV quality not good enough to pick up a manufacturer’s logo.
But they were good kits and I’d love it if they could do another three years for us – I’ve always liked their products.
Great link – I’ve not seen that one before and I’ll certainly be sharing it with a few mates.
Funny you should mention that about Eadie.
I was working in Enterprise-Rent-Car and the phone went one day. It was Darren Eadie looking for a van to get him to Leicester.
We duly obliged and then we got talking on the phone. I explained how much of a hero he had been to me growing up and how I always championed him for England’s left wing. I asked if he wouldn’t mind signing a programme or two. He said he wouldn’t mind at all.
When he arrived he presented me with a photo of himself (Leicester kit sadly, but who cares) with the words
‘Thanks for all your help, Martin. Best wishes Darren Eadie.
It’s framed and will adorn the new office, when built.
Top top bloke.
Do you know if he reads this site?
Lovely story and very believable from the three or four very brief meetings I’ve had with the man himself.
I’ve never had a chance to talk with him at any length unfortunately.
Gary G will know if he reads us or not – I’m not on Twitter so haven’t got a clue – but we both know that Hucks drops by occasionally 🙂
In Martin
Any memorbilia has long gone most if my shirts were donated to a village in the Delta State of Nigeria along with all my sons England and Spurs shirts.
Connors article was an excellent read but I think he just maybe missed a punchline in that the top 6 next step could be to make it a closed shop no promotion or relegation.
There is the ugly greed in top football not only in the UK so possibly a super Euro league that is already in place in the power struggle of EUFA it consists of
LIVARPOOL
Man U
Arse-nal
Bayern Munich
Dortmund
Barcelona
Real Madrid
This Madrid
Juventus
Inter Milan
Malin
Celtic
Rangers
Ajax
Feyenoord
PSG
Monaco
Olympic Mar
Porto
Benfica
These clubs have regular meetings to keep the clubs at the top of EUFA agenda and make sure they get their share of the money.
So far EUFA has derailed a super league but it will be coming sooner than later but how long will it last before the supporters stop watching.
The big question is if it failed would the original leagues welcome them back.
Can you see 14 clubs folding into the demands of the other six on this, the whole thing is being orchestrated buy clubs owned by American so Arse-nal is in there somewhere and the other owners will not vote for all the power with 6 clubs.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
You’ve missed Leeds and 1p5wich from your list of European super clubs. How could you.
🙂 & 🙂
Hi Alex
That was a great thing to do with your shirts and I bet the England and Spurs ones were especially appreciated. I’ve no idea what it must have been like then for youngsters in Nigeria but Efan Ekoku tells a few tales occasionally. Of course we had Joseph Yobo too for a while but he only really came to us to keep fit for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations or possibly even the World Cup itself. Can’t remember.
I can’t think of any benefit in the Man Ure – Liverpool driven proposals for anybody but themselves. They probably even want Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea to be grateful to them. Citeh might be a different beast of course.
Everton are in a strange position on this one. Not top six but nailed on top eight. I feel Leicester might have something legitimate to say as well.
Plus it would leave the likes of Leeds and Villa with feck all to aspire to.
The game we grew up with and love[d] has gone down the pan.
Cheers pal.
On a day in which we see football’s filthy rich plotting to acquire yet more wonga [deliberate choice of word] it seems a little insignificant to trot out the answers to my regalia posers but in true Chris S mode, here I go.
Left: Cork hurling, aka Corcaigh, the Rebels. Given to me the morning after a drunken Irish Science Teachers Association conference when I’d cheerfully agreed to attend a hurling match at the Pairc – actually a pretty well-sized stadium. Stephen and Declan burst into my Jurys room and said something like *put this on or we’re not taking you*. I did and they did. It was great. Still got the shirt.
Centre: One of Gunny’s dress shirts – see above. Still got the shirt.
Right: A charity shop purchase from Oxfam in Tombland. It cost me two whole quid and still looks good after many wearings. I bought it purely for its cool looks. A J-League side called Shonan Bellmare who are apparently not very good.
Below: Neil Adams. Who else. NCFC donated an entire training kit from the 2013 FA Youth Cup winning Squad to the NANSA shop on Aylsham Road so I got this and a few other items after they had been priced up. The manageress tipped me off when they would be on sale so I paid fair and square. I also got Ricky Martin’s rainjacket which accompanied me to Carrow Road on many occasions and, erm, Hucks’ shorts, which after a very careful initial wash [:-)]I still wear on Trimingham beach to this day when walking the dogs.