Collector Highlights England Kit Pricing Concerns
Les Motherby, a football shirt collector from East Yorkshire who has invested over £40,000 in his collection, has expressed concerns that the new England football kit is priced too high for families. Motherby began assembling his collection of 240 replica and original kits, which includes England shirts worn by players such as Peter Crouch and Mark Hateley, during the 1990s.
He noted that an England kit for children can cost up to £123, stating:
"I'm a grown adult with disposable income. It's very different when you're bringing up a family and all of those kids want kits. I have a lot of empathy."
In response, Nike, the manufacturer of the England kit, said it regularly reviews product costs to ensure the best possible performance while balancing rising material, manufacturing, and logistics expenses.
A Nike spokesperson added:
"We know that any price increase matters to fans, and we never take that lightly."
Last month, reported that purchasing an England shirt and shorts, complete with name and number for a child aged between seven and 15, could cost up to £122.98 via the Football Association website. The full infant kit with name and number was priced at £64.99.
Replica Kits Considered Premium but Popular
Motherby remarked that replica kits have always been considered a "premium item". He explained:
"But the fact that it's always been that way since the 90s would suggest that people keep stumping up the money for them."
"And I think until people sort of say, 'we're not going to do this', I think the brands would act accordingly."
He also reflected on the evolution of replica kits, noting that in the 1980s they were primarily targeted at children but gained popularity among adults from the early 1990s onward.
Regarding international kits, Motherby said:
"In the 90s you could pick up a replica shirt for about £30, whereas now they're about £80 to £90, which certainly seems ahead of inflation."
"There are alternatives. I remember when I was a kid there was a real stigma to wearing old shirts - that stigma doesn't exist any more."
"With the World Cup coming up, people might get kudos for wearing an old, classic shirt."
He encouraged fans to consider purchasing older kits, which can be found at bargain prices and include classic England shirts.
Passion for Collecting Genuine Match-Worn Shirts
Motherby’s interest in football shirts began after attending his first Hull City game at age six. His collecting hobby intensified when he discovered he could acquire genuine shirts worn by players during matches.
He explained the significance of such items:
"A game can't happen without two kits that distinguish the sides, and when you realise you can collect those, you think, I'm actually collecting pieces of a club's history."
Local Parent Criticizes England Kit Prices
Graham Walker, a parent from Grimsby with two children aged eight and three, described the cost of the England kit as "pretty disgusting".
He commented:
"It's not really affordable for 75% of people around here."
"The manufacturers know the kids will want them. There's an element of keeping up with the other kids at football training."
Walker noted that his local club, Grimsby Town FC, offers a more affordable alternative. The club’s kids’ kit, which usually costs £66, has been reduced to £62 in the Mariners' spring sale.
Additional Resources
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