Classic Football Shirts: The Manchester-brand revolutionising the sports fashion industry
Classic Football Shirts owns the most diverse, exciting and prestigious collections of sports jerseys available anywhere in the city - offering people the chance to get their hands on special strips from years gone by.
There’s a shop on Deansgate that’s a mecca for football memorabilia.
It’s called Classic Football Shirts – and it’s the proud owner of the most diverse, exciting and prestigious collection of sports clothing available anywhere in the city.
Fully-stocked with hundred of special strips, Classic Football Shirts (CFS) is a big deal for sports fans in Mancunia – having earned its status as a trusted, leading stockist of vintage jerseys you simply can’t find anywhere else.
It’s a proud addition to our city. And it was all set up by two Manchester students.
Doug and Matt were both studying Business at Manchester Metropolitan University when they recognised the gap in the football merchandise market.
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One of the students had been selling items on eBay to make some much-needed money during university, whilst the other has been hunting for an original Germany 1990 shirt ahead of the 2006 World Cup.
Eyeing an opportunity to work together, the pair aimed to build up a small collection of shirts from all the major football clubs.
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Fast-forward to 2020 and Classic Football Shirts have worked with almost every major brand and team in the last 10 years – stocking over 30,000 individual items.
CFS have two stores in Britain: one in London and the other in Barton Arcade, down the road from where it all began.
“Football is definitely a huge part of Manchester’s culture and this is where it all started for Classic Football Shirts; the city is definitely at the heart of the business,” say CFS.
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“A football jersey is the voice that represents a city, neighbourhood, an identity and a way of life… the combination of crest and colours unites fans across the globe.”
CFS recognise the sense of pride and belonging that comes with football strips; and their aim has been to make vintage, authentic jerseys more accessible.
“You see the shirt, you remember the moment,” said CFS.
“It gives you a brief second of the initial rush all over again. We have had people walk into our warehouse and burst into tears because it takes them to a special place”.
CFS have a team dedicated to sourcing different shirts – from classic jerseys to super-rare strips.
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The items aren’t just aimed at dedicated collectors, either. CFS emphasise how there is no right or wrong way to wear a shirt, and there’s something for everyone in their store.
“Our customers range from fanatical shirt collectors to general football fans to someone who just wants a shirt to play in,” they explained.
“The shirts have different uses and have a different meaning to each individual which makes them much more special.”
As for the future of their brand, the team are confident that it won’t be stopping any time soon.
With football destined to remain close to peoples’ hearts, even during a pandemic, there’ll always be new shirts to acquire and fans to satisfy.
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“There have been many monumental moments in the early 2000s that shirts that were once new to us, are now considered classics,” CFS tell us.
“The industry continues to grow and isn’t showing signs of slowing down.”
Shop Classic Football Shirts’ extensive collection in their Barton Arcade store, or check out their website for the latest online deals.
Sport
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
The Hundred is calling for up-and-coming presenters to co-host this year’s tournament
Danny Jones
The Hundred 2025 is fast approaching and cricket’s fastest-growing tournament is once again asking for aspiring presenters to join their roster of co-hosts and help cover the action.
The fast-paced 100-ball format is entering its fifth year and next to T20, you find a more accessible and thrilling form of cricket, so it’s no wonder the competition is gaining a greater audience each year.
With that in mind, the need for a top-notch broadcast team is more crucial than ever but just like those who backed The Hundred in its infancy, they’re looking to invest in future creatives and on-screen talent.
Are you someone looking to get into presenting or know someone who is? Keep reading.
For the fifth year in a row, we want you to be part of #TheHundredRising! 🎤
So how does it work? Well, it’s pretty straightforward: The Hundred is looking for eight up-and-coming presenters to join their team of main venue hosts up and down the country.
Tasked with guiding and talking fans through an action-packed five weeks across all host cities, successful applicants will be responsible for building excitement and atmosphere inside the seven cricket grounds on each match day.
From player and pundit interviews to crowd engagement and interactive other activations with partnered brands, not to mention members of this year’s live music lineup, you’ll be a key part of putting out the top-quality sports and entertainment product they promise every year.
The best part of all is that no prior hosting experience is necessary – this is all about platforming you and The Hundred as a whole.
Successful applicants will be mentored by the main hosts at their respective venues and will attend a two-day workshop with special guests to get them ready to hit the stage this summer.
The ‘Rising Hosts’ scheme has been set up in tandem with their dedicated event production agency, Progress Productions, which will be in charge throughout the application and selection process.
Shortlisted applicants will then have their details shared with the ECB (English Cricket Board) who will be involved when it comes to making their final decisions.
It goes without saying that even if you just love sports or just want to find a way into the industry, this is an opportunity that is not to be missed.
Daisy Bradbury -
9th October 2020 
