The Collection.
There was a time, around 2009/2010 where I decided to collect every Manchester United shirt from the 1990’s and 2000’s. Well, as many as eBay would find for me.
I acquired maybe 12-15 home, away and third shirts (ignoring Goalkeeper kits, they are just too rank, even for football shirt standards) before I got bored, and decided to sell them again. Almost instantly I regretted that move, and have been pining for some ever since.
I kept a few, which I thought were the best looking, that I still wear today. However, I’m still after:
1994/1996 Home (Old Trafford print) XL
1995/1996 Away (Grey) XL
1996/1997 Away (White) XL
2008/2009 Home (Red, Black V) XL
2008/2009 Away (Black, Blue V) XL
1995/1996 Away.
This was my first ever Man Utd shirt. Given to me on my 10th Birthday, 1995, I literally wore this shirt at any opportunity I could.
Although, when the press started talking about Utd not winning a game in the shirt, and they infamously changed kit at half time playing Southampton, I went off it, thinking if I wore it during a game, they would lose. My superstitious nature started here!
Having to sell this at the moment, as it’s a medium. On the hunt for an XL replacement.
1998-2000 Home.
The second shirt I received, again for my birthday. It was an early gift as we went up to Old Trafford as a family in August 1998, when Utd played LKS Lodz in a Champions League qualifier.
It was the first competitive game for David Beckham since his sending off in the World Cup, and me and brother met him when he arrived with the squad for the game. He spent over 30 minutes signing every single persons items, and posed for pictures (I have both)
I knew I was getting the shirt from the Megastore, but wanted “KEANE 16”. But after meeting him, that all changed.
Honestly, now I think the shirt is pretty ugly, and the zip is uncomfortable, but what with the story above, and United winning the Treble that season, I’ll always keep it.
Incidently, when wearing the shirt a few weeks later in Tonbridge, a grown man shouted abuse at me for wearing the shirt. Cool dude.
Wimbledon. 2000/2001. Home
One of my best friends at school had a Wimbledon season ticket with his brother. He asked me to join him for one game. They lost 3-0 to Fulham, but I was hooked.
I bought a season ticket the next week, and again the season afterwards, then, along with the 6,000 odd other fans, boycotted the club after it was confirmed they were moving to Milton Keynes.
I never felt odd going to Wimbledon games, being a Man Utd supporter. It was a chance to see live football every other week, and was a coming of age - being allowed to travel to London by myself etc.
One of the most ill fitting shirts I own, but I really like the navy and gold contrast. I was going to get “AINSWORTH 18” on the back, but always spent my Newspaper Round wages on other stuff. Like Oasis CD’s.
1985 Replica. Home
Man United have a collection where they reprint classic shirts from the past - European Cup 1968, 1958, 1973, 1991, 1995, 1999, and this one from 1985.
I’ve always liked the old fashioned 80’s shirts, but could never afford the stupid amount they go for on eBay.
This shirt celebrates the 1985 FA Cup Final win against Everton, when Norman Whiteside scored in a 1-0 game. The only reason I got the shirt was that it originally issued in the year that I was born - the squad at the time was hardly a classic one. They were a bit shit to be honest.
It’s a slim fit shirt, so not very forgiving at times. Bought summer 2008.
1993-1995. Away.
I have always loved this shirt. I remember a school friend of mine got it in the summer it was released, and I was so jealous. I wasn’t allowed football shirts when I was younger, as they were “too expensive”, so was in awe of anyone my age that had them.
So naturally, when I decided to buy old shirts, this was first on my list. It usually goes for as much, if not more than current shirts (it was voted favourite shirt by United fans), but I managed to get one for £20.
You can’t NOT have “CANTONA 7” on the back. That man ruled Manchester in the 1990’s, and is my footballing hero. Plus, he kicked the fuck out of that Crystal Palace fan whilst wearing it.
Classy colouring - black and gold. Always, always worn with the collar up. Just like Eric.
Bought Autumn 2009.
1958 Replica. Home.
Another replica, this one from 1958. It commemorates United getting to the FA Cup Final, which they lost to Bolton, but it was seen as a celebration due to the club overcoming the Munich air disaster, where 8 players were killed in a plane crash earlier in the season.
It has the old logo, before the “Red Devil” was incorporated into the badge. I love this shirt, plain, simple and classic.
Bought from the Old Trafford Megastore, Spring 2010.
2008-2010. Away/3rd
This was an impulse buy. I saw it in a sports shop the season after it had been “retired” for £12. It’s a size too big, but football shirts aren’t meant to be skin tight.
Although it was around for two seasons, and was worn in the 2009 European Cup final (which we lost to Barca, and played awfully), it is somewhat of an overlooked shirt.
It’s a nice, simple design, like the majority of United’s away shirts.
2011/2012. Home.
This is honestly my favourite ever home shirt. I love the shade of red, it looks good on, the collar gives it a nice contrast, and again, it’s simple.
Plus I love the story behind this.
Yet another birthday gift. I was on tour with some friends, and were staying in the Manchester area on my birthday itself. I wanted to visit the stadium, and a few came with me. As we were leaving the store, they handed me a bag, with this shirt, and my nickname printed on the back (my first ever personalised shirt).
I did find it odd that they kept on asking “if you were a footballer, what squad number would you have”.
Number 9 for United isn’t the most legendary of numbers in recent years (Saha, and Berbatov) but as youngster I loved Brian McClair, and Andy Cole. And they scored A LOT of goals.
