Trophy Life
There’s a fine line between collecting memorabilia and becoming a football hoarder. While I’m definitely a few rooms away from being buried alive, I may have overindulged over the course of my life when it came to collectible and quasi-collectible items.
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A critical component here is, and has been, my affinity for various sports. Combine that with a little OCD and the waves of souvenirs coincide with the seasons of each particular sport.
Looking back to my minor-league-baseball obsession, I’m reminded that I have two dozen baseballs in my closet. These are foul balls for the most part. And many came early in the season when nobody was at the ballpark…so I could spring across the stands to capture a rawhide prize.
Jump over to my NFL-football period and you’ll see the same behavior. Just different items.
A closet full of Miami Dolphins’ jerseys. Boxes of footballs – most branded Dolphins. A bunch of caps; some towels; ticket holders; and a sweatsuit in stunning aqua, orange and white.
This clearly throws up some red flags regarding my decision-making. Or you could just say I march to my own tune.
Regardless, this same behavior has emerged as I’ve become a more rabid LFC supporter. I’m not asking for an intervention, but I wouldn’t mind some advice on where to draw the line. Especially because our house isn’t that big, and my disposable European-football budget is NOT bottomless.
So, pertaining to LFC collectibles, here are my ALREADY OWN; PLANNED PURCHASES and DREAM MEMORABILIA.
On The Wall, Close At Hand, Collections
Scarves – Red Sox/LFC; EPLinUSA/LFC; LFC Boston/Liverpool; This is Anfield; LFC Women; yellow & red LFC; green & white LFC; Jordan Henderson LFC; pride LFC; red & grey checked LFC; and another one or two I can’t remember.
Champions League Banner
Soccer Balls – faux signed; EPL standard ball; Select balls
Framed LFC team Photo
Trading Cards – Prizm; Topps; Merlin; and other brands; numbered and featured cards
Jerseys – Two red kit jerseys from 2020 era; one Virgil jersey from 2019 in black; one white Candy throwback; one yellow Crown Paints throwback; two radioactive green jerseys 1990s.
Signed Jersey – James Milner red jersey, signed in the number 7, with COA
T-shirt – Collectible numbered shirt from the 0-7 win against Manchester United
*I’ve also got some memorabilia from other European players and sides including signed jerseys and trading cards.
Planned Purchases
The next best thing to being there, is having something from ‘there’. But forget that, my planned acquisitions run the gamut from on-site purchases at Anfield to getting collectibles from the match itself.
The short list includes: catching and escaping with a ball during a European match; having a drink at Anfield; seeing LFC at Anfield; any and all other stuff you can get and do in Liverpool.
Caps – I have exactly one LFC cap. I want more, but I have a peculiar head that renders many caps unflattering. I plan to rectify this void.
Scarves – Yes, I’ll be buying more. I know a lot of people sneer at derby scarves (the half-and-half designs), but I’d like to get an LFC v Everton scarf.
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Jerseys – I’d like to get a few more jerseys. A couple new ones (or classic ones) to wear to matches at the pub. And a jersey from a player on the field – maybe I’ll have to go to Brighton to ask Milner.
*I’m open to your suggestions here – I might not yet know that I need something. So write in and let me know what you’d pick.
Dream Memorabilia
When it comes to dreaming, I’ve got some skill. To that end, two paragraphs ago I talked about having a player throw me their game-worn jersey after a match. *I’m well past 40-years-old. I DO NOT think I’m the guy players are picking out to give their gear to.
So, what’s the bigger dream? I’d like to have dinner with a couple players so I could talk to them about anything and gather some insight into how they view the game and the world. It could be any couple players – past or present. That’s one dream.
The other would be to kick a ball on the pitch with an LFC player for a few minutes…and then get them to sign the ball and give it to me. Simple, right?
And lastly, I really would like to be in the broadcast booth for a match – just to be a fly on the wall and see everything that goes on behind the scenes. But that’s driven mostly by my journalism background.
Experiences Over Items
There’s something very grown-up about contemplating experiences versus hard goods. I mean, do you want to go on a trip and come back with nothing but memories? Sometimes that’s perfect.
But how do you populate a trophy room or a memory book or a she shed if you don’t collect some stuff? I know I’m not going to change my pattern of hoarding – I’m just going to be a little more thoughtful about it.
What about you? Have you started your LFC trophy wall or room? Do you have coat trees dripping with Liverpool scarves? Did you drink multiple four-packs of Carlsberg to get collectible LFC cans like I did?
It might be time to up your game. Share in the comments what you’re doing to honor LFC at your home. Photos are welcome.
See you next month – we’re getting REALLY close to MAY!!!!!
#YNWA
