
Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Five Hundred, a new feature where we give a guest an imaginary £500 budget to spend on football shirts! What will they choose, new or old, quantity or quality, club or country? Let’s find out…
Today’s guest is Asa (@Footballcreatio on Twitter), a Manchester City fan who has probably some of the most left field choices we’ve had so far. I’m not even sure two of them are football shirts strictly speaking, but hey, it’s his money. Hypothetically I mean. (There is no money).
MANCHESTER CITY HOME 95/97

Asa: Absolutely love the engraved detailing within the shirt on this one, shame the team couldn’t match its magic on the pitch – ending up relegated from the Premier League in this one.
Cost: £79.99, Total so far: £79.99
Unthinkable in 2020 of course, Manchester City being relegated. Different times. Of course now the opposite is true, City are the current Premier League champions but their shirt is awful, not like this classy Umbro number. What happened to collars, I’ll bet some sports scientist said they’re not aerodynamic enough. Well that’s a good thing, because when you look this good you’ll want to slow down so everyone can see.
ENGLAND THIRD 1988

Asa: What can I say, I’m a sucker for sky blue shirt! And they don’t get any better than this! Love all things England retro too, swoon!
Cost: £224.99, Total so far: £304.98
Now while the sky blue 1990 third shirt hogs the limelight, Asa has gone for the ‘88 England effort. It was never actually worn in a match, not even a friendly, which is a shame because the shadowed diamonds in the fabric look great. The rarity of this shirt though means that over half the budget has gone already!
TORINO AWAY 18/19

Asa: I have the 3rd shirt which is truly incredible. I purchased it at the airport on my way home from playing at Juve’s stadium. Fell in love and need to complete the seasons set.
Cost: £60, Total so far: £364.98
There’s nothing like completing a set and this Torino effort is all class. Casually dropping in that he’s played at Juventus’ ground too, will his similarities with Ronaldo never end? There’s nothing like completing a seasons set of kits though, highly satisfying.
MANCHESTER CITY GOALKEEPER 99/01

Asa: I couldn’t compile a list without a goalkeeper shirt. I love goalkeeper shirts! I also love Nicky Weaver. Boom.
Cost: £60, Total so far: £424.98
As classic keeper shirts go, this one is pretty subdued. I’m not sure Le Coq Sportif did a bad shirt for Manchester City and there’s something just right about a goalkeeper in green too. Especially a man as handsome as Nicky Weaver.
KELLOGG’S TONY THE TIGER USA ‘94 FAN SHIRT

Asa: I love all things USA 94, team that with my fondness for reminiscing and were on to a winner. I’m taking myself back to racing down to breakfast to beat my 4 siblings to the free Frosties bike spokes or reflecting on the box of Frosties. Hook it to my veins.
Cost: £49.99, Grand total: £474.97
Right, I’m not sure if it’s just the resolution of the picture, but is Tony the Tiger flipping me off? I reckon things could get a bit tasty if you bumped into some Rice Krispie ultras while wearing this. You’d get a Frostie reception for sure. You’d probably soil your Shreddies. It’s interesting to know Tony the Tiger plays as a 9 too, making me wonder what a cereal mascot best XI would be.
I don’t think we’ll see picks like this again! Big thanks to Asa for taking part, make sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@footballcreatio). Do you have a favourite? How would you spend differently? Head over to Twitter to discuss! The next Fantasy Five Hundred will be coming next week!

Leave a comment