Is it still possible to collect autographs or has this pastime been lost to the generations of youngsters with 'players image rights' a big money spinner these days?
It's still possible to get autographs, in fact there's usually about thirty people hanging around the players entrance at the end of every home game.
Cheers OLM .... must admit my autograph book has been closed for a long time, although when I do have a look I'm surprised at some of the names I have managed to get. But then I was a lad and spent many hours chasing footballers for their signature, even going to the training ground at the Circle, yes ironic isn't it? Now the KC Stadium.
I see kids trying to get them during the warm-up and at FT. They just hang around the barrier near the tunnel.
I love trying to collect autographs! Even at the age of 23 i still manage to fill my shirt with autographs towards the end of the season! Looks great alongside my Ronaldo, Real Madrid signed shirt!!
Nice one Rich ........ how on earth did you get the Ronaldo one? .... Back in the 1980's my family went to Salou, and during our stay we went to Barcelona for the day, making our own way there on train. Beautiful place by the way, but I wanted to see Nou Camp, so we made our way to the the stadium and its surrounded by a high wall and fence ......... but LOL As we walked on the footpath there was a door open, so we went though, my wife wasn't so sure, and we entered, what was, the Barcelona training pitches, unbelievable. As me and my family, my wife, a son and daughter who were totally oblivious to where we were, made our way towards the stadium, who should be there but Terry Venables, the manager at the time, Garry Lineker, and Steve Archibald, all giving curious glances at the 4 of us coming across the training pitches. After I had explained the situation to Terry Venables, he laughed, and then took us around the stadium, for a memorable time, but can you believe this, my wife and kids were totally oblivious to what was happening but we have been around the Barcelona trophy room and the inside of the stadium, and yes I have some pictures somewhere, but none with Terry, much to my disgust.
It is an ebay purchase so unfortunately i didnt get it in person, it sits alongside my Iniesta spain shirt, ozil real shirt and tevez man city shirt, all signed! More money than sense i guess!! That is a pretty epic story. The closest i have too that is at St james park, we was just wandering around the stadium when bobby robson followed by kieron dyer and alan sherear were getting onto a team bus somewhere and all signed my bros shirt but the bobby robson autograph is beautiful! Not just a squiggle really defined!!
Personally it annoys me that so many shirt, balls and other things are sold already signed up at a premium as I think this takes some thing away from the autograph collectors who stand out side players entrances in all weathers and training grounds and attend end of season events in order to achieve this. Also I know from trying to flog raffle tickets for one that Ryan France kindly donated to my girlfriend charity fund raising it makes it harder to raise a decent amount for these items.
That is indeed a valid argument chantstiger, never thought of it in that way, but like I say I'm from a different era when autograph hunting was just that and no other distraction. The difference these days, from my point of view is that footballers are celebrities like film stars and pop stars, obviously not all of them, but in general. So collecting autographs, and memorabilia, is a bit harder than in previous years. Thanks for your insight into this subject.
I have the slate grey away shirt with "Wembley 08" on the back (Football league logo on them) with Premier League badges on the sleeves (courtesy of Bolton Wanderers club shop!) It is signed by Ash, Daws, Bo & Ryan France - the four players that appeared in a tigers shirt in all four divisions. It is a treasured item from my 34 years of supporting the mighty Tigers
**** off and die. Anyway, I only have one player's autograph. One City player's anyway. Matt Duke. It's worth LOADSAMONEY.
I'm very proud of my hull city, hull 10k vest I got for running it for the club last year got it sign by the squad plus Manny. Not many of them about.
