The first professional soccer match I attended was back in 1985. The home team was this week's subject, Dundee FC, and the away team was Aberdeen. The memories I have of that match are sparse. I think it was a 1-1 scoreline, but I am not sure. I remember we stood in actual terracing behind the goal, which was actually pretty cool. Also, there were a shitload more fouls than I had ever experienced watching American college soccer, or even the odd NASL match.
All of that preamble to say that I once saw this team in action, and remember their kit from that time well due to Mike Pringle, the lone Dundee fan in my class. He wore their shirt a lot, when he wasn't wearing Iron Maiden T-shirts. It was a nice look, with a navy blue shirt with red and white accents and white shorts. This week's shirt is not so great.
From this small picture, you may think that this is a black-ish shirt with some odd white wavy coloration. Oh no. This is a now much darker blue shirt with white script--of all the names of that year's season ticket holders on it.
The best part? The fact that the shirt almost certainly contains some misspellings of the team's support. I don't think that Richard Gibsonv exists, but Richard Gibson V, that I can believe. 
Also, there are some rather interesting names here. At the bottom of this picture:
one can find the name Calum Piggot. Now that is an awesome name. It just rolls off the tongue. Mr. Piggot. C-Pigg for short.
All in all, this was a sentimental idea gone horribly wrong. I don't think that it is any coincidence that, of the small number of these theoretically produced (only given to the season ticket holders), so many show up on the ebays. Only four hours left to secure one of the five available in this auction, so get cracking.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Good, The Bad, The WTF
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Questionable E-Bay Purchases for: The Manchester United Fan
[Ed. Note: The flu is finally subsiding, fading away like Man City's aspirations for 4th place. Slow start this morning, but it'll come back together again. A barrage of posts today, and then back to normal service.]
This is the second in a series of reports on the beautiful bounty provided by E-Bay. If you know someone who is a fan of Manchester United, then first of all you have my condolences. If for some reason you actually like this person and wish to buy them a gift, then you may be a candidate for beatification. After the jump you will find some suggestions for the depraved ManUre fan in your life.
At $99.99, this is an expensive item, but there are currently 0 bids, so you may be able to talk them down a bit. In the Venn diagram covering ManUre fans and cowboys, the overlap is approximately .00001% of the total population. However, this item may come in handy for your favorite hooligan, as this belt buckle may come in useful during the latest donnybrook against rival supporters (or even against Sir Alex). At only $6.99, this item makes a wonderful season's end gift, and there are currently 0 bids. For the unstable ManUre fan (note: this is repetitively redundant), we offer this lovely blazer in an eye-popping design. Please note that it is apparently necessary to be a fan of #9, Louis Saha, in order to truly feel comfortable wearing this. The price is a respectable $32.99, and there are actually 2of these monstrosities available.
Item #1: Manchester United Teddy Bear (note: This item is not Teddy Sheringham).
This lovely item is for the little one or woman (or non-traditional male) in your life. At only $.92, it is an absolute steal, but there is already one bid, so be sure to act fast.
Item #2: Manchester United bedspread and canopy set.
The second item is a wonderful ManUre bedspread and canopy set for your little ankle-biter. If you insist on having your child tormented by dreaming of that diving poofter Ronaldo, this may be for you.
Item #3: Manchester United belt buckle
Item #4: Manchester United blazer
Monday, March 10, 2008
Questionable eBay Purchases
Anyone who has ever visited Italy has likely come across their street vendors and the questionable football shirts that they hawk. Many times they are just cheap, unbranded knock-offs of the current shirt of a team, but sometimes they work magic. It's a new form of art, a re-Renaissance, if you will. I warn you though, don't wear this onto (what used to be) the terraces, I don't think these fans would appreciate it.
You can be the proud owner of this shirt for just $13. Well, as long as no one else bids on it, that is. Look at it. It's an unholy amalgam of a NUFC shirt and the image inside the star of a Newcastle Brown Ale label. Speaking of the ale, it makes its return here as the sponsor of the shirt, something that hasn't happened since 2000.
So tread lightly, foreign Newcastle fan, don't go thinking this is a rare third shirt that you just don't remember. This is a genuine, grade-A, Eye-Tie knockoff. You might be able to pull it off in an Atlanta suburb, but you'll never get away with it on your sad pilgrimage to St. James' Park
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Questionable E-Bay Purchases for: The Tottenham Fan
Hoo boy, that's ugly.
Poor spurs - 45 years and counting.
This little reminder of the past will currently cost you $2, and it can be all yours today, as no bids have been placed.
Item #3: A share in Tottenham Hotspur
This item is currently going for the "Buy It Now" price of $58.73, and there are no bids. Buy a share and appoint yourself manager! You couldn't do any worse than Martin Jol (Juande - you're on notice).
Item #4: Spurs 06/07 Year in Review DVD
May contain football-like susbtance.
This item is valued at $31, and there are currently no bids. Take it home and relive the glory of the 2006/2007 season! Thrill to the 59 goals scored by Spurs in their EPL (suck it, Barclay's!) campaign. Watch with nervous anticipation as Tottenham chases the final Champions League spot all the way to the last day of the season. Listen as 60% of the team experiences gastrointestinal distress that they blame on Arsenal. Cackle with joy at the sight of Tottenham falling just points short, and ending the season in 5th place!
There you have it - Christmas may have passed, but there is always an occasion to kick the Spurs when they're down.
*Not actually popular
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