A lifelong Manchester City fanatic is parting with his legendary Blues football shirts collection – believed to be the best in the world.
Some 282 shirts connected to some of the club’s biggest stars and games from 1926-2024 are being auctioned by Hansons World Football (HWF) in a timed sale launching on July 29. Offered as one lot, the collection is expected to sell for up to £1m. Whoever hits the back of the net with a winning bid will own what HWF has described as ‘the ultimate Manchester City shirts collection’.
Amassed over decades, it includes shirts worn at FA Cup finals in 1926 and 1969, Football League Cup final shirts, a Billy Sowden shirt worn at the first match under Maine Road floodlights, kit worn by Colin Bell, Peter Barnes and Dennis Tueart; Denis Law’s second debut shirt; Brian Kidd’s 1978 UEFA Cup shirt and others that have graced the backs of iconic modern-day greats including Yaya Touré, Fernandinho, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.
The phenomenal memorabilia is down to the ‘blood, sweat and tears’ of lifelong collector and Blues fan Mark McCarthy. Well known to fellow supporters thanks to his 42-year obsession, he has even written a book about it, ‘101 Manchester City Matchworn Shirts’. His passion kicked off at the age of eight and eventually led him all over the country in pursuit of what grew to be an historically important Blues collection.
And it was all sparked by a family football connection. Mark, a 49-year old garden designer from Milton Keynes, has a famous cousin in the shape of former City defender and football coach Mick McCarthy. In 1983, when Mark discovered Mick was about to join City, he declared himself a Blue.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COLLECTION
Mark said: “Back then I didn’t know anything about football and didn’t support a team. But from that moment I was hooked. I took some stick at school because most of my mates supported Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or West Ham. But by the time I was 14 I was travelling to watch games on my own. I dreamt of tracing a shirt worn by my cousin. That’s all I wanted really. Eventually I acquired two shirts worn by Mick between 1985 and 1987. They’ll be treasured forever as family heirlooms.
“It kick-started my obsession or fixation, whatever you want to call it. For me it’s all about the nostalgia, the feeling of being lost in time. I’d imagine the fierce encounters the shirt had been part of in games featuring legends like Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish.
“I spent hours sourcing them online and even tracked down ex-players from the 1970s and 80s. I met them all over the UK to secure their shirt. I began collecting in chronological order from different seasons.
“I put out appeals, spoke to players or family members and bought at auctions. At one point I thought I might stop. But it was never-ending, there was always another shirt, another holy grail to find. Over time, because I became known for it, shirts started to come to me, occasionally from players. That was the case with David Silva’s shirt from the 8-0 win over Watford donated to me in 2019.
“My collection stretches back to the Edwardian era, with the shirt worn by City’s George Hicks in the 1926 FA Cup final. I also have a gem from the 1950s which is one of my favourites. It was specially made for the first game under the Maine Road floodlights against Scottish side Hearts in 1953. I also have the shirt worn by Blues cult hero Tommy Booth in the 1969 FA Cup final win over Leicester.
“I know some people will be surprised I’m selling but there are a few reasons, some personal. I had a lot of changes in my circumstances last year following an operation, quite a big one on my neck. That changed things physically for me and limited work. I also want to spend more time with my family. My wife, Sarah, and our four children, Lucie, Jordan, Harvey and Olivia, have always been understanding. But a hobby like mine can be all-consuming – and takes up a lot of wardrobe space!
“My passion hasn’t dwindled one bit. I’ve been City-obsessed for 42 years and I’ve built up a collection I’m super proud of. It’s been described as the best Manchester City shirts collection in the world and no-one has ever disputed that. But I’m turning 50 this year and the time feels right to pass the baton to someone else. I hope they’ll enjoy the collection as much as me and recognise all the years, effort, blood, sweat and tears that’s gone into it. My dream would be to find a buyer who would continue to grow the collection honouring City’s history.”
Neil Barker, manager of HWF, said: “This has to be the ultimate Manchester City shirts collection. From kit worn in the 1926 FA Cup final and by 70s greats like Colin Bell, Dennis Law and Brian Kidd through to contemporary legends and the squad moulded by Pep Guardiola, Mark has tirelessly and meticulously built an outstanding showcase of the club’s history and heritage.
“City, arguably the best team in the world, dominate the beautiful game. In 2023 they became the first English club to simultaneously hold the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Cup Championship titles. They are on top of the world and we are honoured and excited to bring this unique collection to the world stage.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons World Football, said: “Football memorabilia is as strong as the Old Masters market of yesteryear. It is one of the most focused areas in modern-day collecting. I am delighted to be working alongside Neil Barker, who is based in the United States, to develop sales reaching out to collectors all over the world including the Far East.”
Auction: The Manchester City Collection will be offered by Hansons World Football as one lot in a timed online auction running from July 29 to August 9, 2024
Enquiries: [email protected] | Website/catalogue: www.hansonsworldfootball.com
