PLAYERS

A blank shirt tells you the club and the season. A printed one also tells you who: Cantona's 7 on a Manchester United third shirt, Maldini's 3 on AC Milan red and black, Litmanen's 10 at Ajax. For many collectors the player is the reason to buy, and a print from the right season makes a shirt easier to place in time.

• Legends: the biggest names of the eighties, nineties and noughties.
• Streets Won't Forget: cult heroes like Adriano and Batistuta.
• Match issue and match worn: shirts made for the players themselves.
• Clubs with deep player stock: Manchester United, AC Milan and FC Barcelona.

• The font fits the competition and season. Since 1997 the Premier League has used one official name and number set for all clubs, and it has changed design a few times since. A print should match the season of the shirt.
• The player wore that number that season. Check the squad number for that exact year. Players changed numbers, and a name with the wrong number is a later print.
• Wear is consistent. On a shirt that is 20 or 30 years old, the print usually shows the same age as the fabric: slight cracking or fading is normal.
• Size and fit. We measure every shirt flat, check the measurements guide before you buy.

Some numbers have a story of their own. Read The Greatest World Cup Shirts of All Time for the shirts that made their wearers famous.

Are the names and numbers original?

Every shirt is checked for authenticity before it goes online, and the product page states exactly which name and number are on the back.

Can I find a specific player?

Use the search bar with the player's surname, or browse the club collections. Each shirt is one of one, so if you see the player you want, it is the only one we have.

Do player shirts fit differently?

No, the fit depends on the maker and the era, not the print. Length and width are listed on every product page.