Football, a beloved sport worldwide, has millions of fans who collect memorabilia to display their support and commemorate historic moments. Football memorabilia encompasses a range of items, such as match tickets, shirts, autographed balls, vintage programmes, commemorative medals, and limited-edition prints.
Match tickets are a popular piece of football memorabilia, serving as physical proof of attendance at a historic moment in the sport. From the 1966 World Cup final to the first Premier League game, collectors eagerly seek these items. Some fans who watch football matches collect tickets from every match they attend, building a personal collection that showcases their loyalty to their favourite team. Building a legacy in something they can pass down to generations to come.
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Mohammed Abdullateef is an avid collector of football memorabilia, boasting a collection of over 1,200 items and counting. His impressive collection includes tickets to almost every World Cup game played since 1958, with the exception of one. But Abdullateef’s collection also extends beyond that, including items from the inaugural tournament in 1930. He possesses tickets from all three categories in which they were sold, as well as a rare Associated Press media credential.
Among the many rare items in Abdullateef’s collection is a ticket from the 1934 World Cup final (pictured), signed by three players. Only a handful of these tickets are known to exist, making it an especially valuable piece of football memorabilia.
Football shirts, especially those worn by famous players, are another popular type of memorabilia. The value of a shirt may depend on the player, the match it was worn in, and the shirt’s condition. Signed shirts are especially valuable, as they provide proof of a player’s involvement in a historic moment in the sport.
Buying a piece of history like this can be a minefield, especially as buyers can’t always tell they are getting the real deal. Items such as Pele’s Brazil shirt from the second-half of the 1970 World Cup final went for almost £160,000. Whereas Diego Maradona’s so-called “Hand of God” football shirt, sold for staggering £7.1m.
Autographed footballs, from individual players or entire teams, are highly prized by collectors. Prices vary depending on the ball’s condition and the match it was signed at, with balls from famous matches like the World Cup final worth thousands of pounds. Programmes are another sought-after item, providing a snapshot of the sport at a specific moment in time, and may include player or manager autographs.
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A prime example of this is Peter Johnson, football fan who sold celebrity autographs on eBay aged 11 and is now a millionaire. As a child he would watch matches and collect the signatures of players afterwards. A few years later, he started selling them on eBay. Now aged 29, Peter runs a business selling exclusive signed memorabilia and has a turnover of more than £1million a year.
Commemorative medals, made of bronze, silver, or gold, are often issued to mark a particular match or event, with those from historic matches fetching high prices. Limited-edition prints of famous matches or players, as well as fan artwork, are also popular and may be signed and numbered.
Football memorabilia’s value depends on rarity, condition, and historical significance. Items associated with famous players or matches, such as Pele or the 1966 World Cup final, are in high demand. Collectors may find items on online auction sites, from specialist dealers, or even in charity shops but should be aware of counterfeit items and purchase only from reputable sellers.
Football memorabilia has become a lucrative business in recent years, with some items selling for millions of pounds at auction. For fans, collecting football memorabilia is a way to display support for their favourite team or player and to remember historic moments in the sport. It can also be a valuable investment, with rare or unique items potentially increasing in value over time.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s that football memorabilia is a diverse world with something for every collector. Whether collecting match tickets, shirts, autographed balls, or other items, football memorabilia offers fans the opportunity to own a piece of the sport’s history and connect with other enthusiasts who share their passion.
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