Football Memorabilia – Seasonal Collecting Guide

With Christmas just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to look at some selected gifts for the holiday season! What better way than to look at the booming football memorabilia collecting market!

Less than two months before the big event, sports memorabilia companies fill their shelves to handle the rush, and arriving early is key as many of the most exclusive items go quickly, and of course you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a special someone happy. Depending on their interests, there is a huge range of signed sports memorabilia on offer from the biggest players and teams. You don’t have to spend Earth (although it’s easy to do!) to buy something that makes a connection.

Of course, the best collectible is that shirt from one of the game’s biggest stars, from Maradona and Pele to Gerrard, Beckham, or Cristiano Ronaldo. Why Ronaldo? Because he has become something of a messiah when it comes to the collectors market, with his signed jerseys, balls and shoes selling for some of the highest amounts we have seen! The prices of some of these megastars are out of the range and inaccessible to the average collector, so they tend to work on the larger items slowly, starting with more accessible pieces of memorabilia like signed football photos, autographs, and signed programs. Not everyone can afford Maradona’s Hand of God shirt from the 1986 World Cup final, which sold for more than £7 million!

The key lesson here is to buy what you want and make the purchase right! There is a huge rivalry between fans of Manchester United and Manchester City, and of course Liverpool and any Manchester team. No fan from one side will be seen dead wearing a shirt signed by a player from the other side! So be careful when parting with your earned money. It goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how often people make mistakes when buying Christmas gifts. Most people just smile nicely and let it go, but not football fans!

Autographed football memorabilia creates a lasting reminder of that team, player or moment, creating a lasting and special bond between buyer and item.

We take a look at some of the best pick-ups on the football memorabilia market right now. Stare at items on the lower end of the spectrum.

£10 – £250

Signed Melvine Mallard Man Utd shirt £149.99, signed photo by Joey Barton £19.99, signed Ashley Young Football £39.99, signed boot with Aaron Cresswell frame £99.99 (Courtesy of Firma Stella)

It’s surprising what you can find at the bottom of the price range, with a large number of signed photos, from some surprisingly notable players. You can often get special deals if you’re new to collecting football memorabilia. Just look at some of the items below. You can even pick up some signed football shirts at bargain prices. The trick is to try to spot the up-and-coming player who hasn’t reached his full potential yet. The next Ronaldo, Pele or David Beckham! From signed footballs to football boots, software and even books. There are so many to choose from. Just make sure your partner is impressed!

£251 – £1000

A David Beckham shirt framed for display is £299.99, a signed Denis law shirt is £299.99, a signed Ryan Giggs shirt is £449.99, and Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard signed framed shirts are £999.99. (Courtesy of Verma Stella)

With little money to spend the options are open and there are plenty to choose from. One current trend is having more than one shirt in one frame. These may be from the same player, with home and away shirts appearing in the same frame, or indeed from separate players from the same club. Looks great when hung on the wall in the home or office!

£1001 and above

Fernandes and Cantona signed shirts £1,299.99, signed Salah and Haaland shirts £2,999.99, signed Ronaldo shirt £1,999.99, signed Pele and Diego Maradona shirts £3,999.99 (Courtesy of Verma Stella)

At the top of the scale, the sky is the limit. Some of the larger sets are priced at up to £4,000 or £5,000. Not surprisingly, the highest prices are for the game’s biggest stars, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the tree. Global stars like Pele and Maradona also go for big sums. These dual frame versions below combine the two into one frame, for the ultimate in football memorabilia collection. Of course, neither of them sign anything anymore, so expect these shirt frames to appreciate in value over time.

From stocking stuffers to large purchases. There’s something for everyone when it comes to collecting signed football memorabilia. You just need to know where to look!