Mark Webster - Collections & Obsessions
Man UTD. Shirts
1984-86 THIRD KIT
“My older brother supported United so I got all of his old shirts. I wanted to support a team playing at the top level, rather than watch local clubs kick each other to death in gale force winds on the North Wales coast.”
In this era: United won the FA Cup in 1985 with Ron Atkinson as manager.
store.manutd.com, £25.49
1991 EUROPEAN CUP
WINNERS’ CUP FINAL SHIRT
“This was a one-off, limited edition shirt for the Cup Winners’ Cup final. I’m dead proud of it. Mark Hughes scored two goals to bring home the trophy for United. I went absolutely nuts.”
In this era: The Cup Winners’ Cup was Manchester United’s first European trophy for 23 years, and Ferguson’s first European trophy at the club.
sportsdirect.com, £25
1990-92 AWAY SHIRT
“This is my favourite United top. Most of the vintage shirts I don’t wear because I don’t want them ruined, but with this one I can’t help myself. I was told it was designed like this to encourage people to wear it out in pubs and clubs.”
In this era: Manchester United were First Division runners-up in 1991-92 to Leeds. A hairy man named Ryan Giggs made his debut.
vintagefootballshirts.com, £95
1992-94 HOME SHIRT
“The drawstrings on this shirt are the business. The away strip this year was the infamous green and yellow shirt, which my older brother managed to lose so it’s missing from my collection. I’ve currently got a bid on for one on eBay.”
In this era: United won the first ever Premier League, their first league title for 26 years.
vintagefootballshirts.com, £50
1992-1994 GOALIE SHIRT
“I miss the days when football shirts were like this. All goalkeeper kits in the ’90s were mental, but this one was my favourite. Peter Schmeichel was the best keeper in the world at the time.”
In this era: Despite keeping 22 clean sheets in the 92-93 season, Schmeichel fell out with Fergie and only a formal apology from the Dane stopped him getting the boot.
Very rare. Try your luck on eBay.
1994-96 HOME SHIRT
“I’m a big fan of Paul Ince and this reminds me of him. I’m quite superstitious and I’ve got this thing where I don’t put my darts shirt on until just before I play, like Ince sed to do as he walked out of the tunnel at Old Trafford.”
In this era: Eric Cantona karate kicked a Crystal Palace fan. Blackburn pipped United to the league in 1994-95.
classicfootballshirts.co.uk, £55
1996-98 HOME SHIRT
“This one reminds me of Cantona because of the celebration where he turns around and milks the applause after chipping the keeper. I still pop the Cantona collar up when I’m giving it the big one during 5-a-side.”
In this era: United signed Ole Gunnar Solskjær but lost Cantona, who retired in 1997 aged 30.
classicfootballshirts.co.uk, £25
1997-1999 AWAY SHIRT
“This kit is all about Ryan Giggs’
solo goal against Arsenal in the FA Cupsemi-final. Being Welsh I’d say he’s my favourite ever United player, but I’ve got David May printed on the back because it’s a three letter surname and all I could afford at the time.”
In this era: The
Treble, in the ’98-99 season. And Alex Ferguson received a knighthood.
store.manutd.com,
£25.49
2001-02 AWAY/THIRD KIT
“I don’t know why I bought the gold centenary shirt, I hate it. It’s a reversible shirt to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the club so it was both our away kit and third kit.”
In this era: United won no trophies despite signing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron. This is the last Umbro kit before Nike took over.
classicfootballshirts.co.uk, £38
2007-09 HOME SHIRT
“Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player I’ve seen in a United shirt. I love his personality as well. You want your heroes to have a bit of swagger. What did he say again? ‘I’m rich, good looking and brilliant at football.’ You can’t knock that.”
In this era: In two seasons Ronaldo scored 68 goals and won the FIFA World Player of the Year.
classicfootballshirts.co.uk, £18
PORTRAIT BY Amy brammall
Words BY Mike Butler