Football Finds x Fresh Shirts UK
Welcome back to The Football Finds Blog, today, we’re featuring Ezekiel Downes, known to many as @freshshirtsuk on Instagram and @knockemdownes on TikTok. A proud Norwich City supporter with a sharp eye for detail, Ezekiel’s collection is rooted in personality, patience, and a deep love for football design. For him, collecting isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about finding shirts that feel special, whether that’s through history, material, or meaning.
Like many collectors, Ezekiel’s relationship with football shirts began early. As a child, he owned a variety of kits from a Roma shirt to an England kit and even a David Beckham LA Galaxy shirt. But one shirt stands above the rest. The first shirt he ever bought himself was the Norwich 2011/12 home shirt with “Zeke” on the back. That kit still carries weight today. Not just because it represents his club, but because it marks the moment football shirts became more to him than just a piece of fabric.
Although Ezekiel already had shirts in his wardrobe, the turning point came unexpectedly. The moment he decided to properly collect was when he won a Bayern Munich shirt in a competition on Twitter. That win flipped a switch. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about owning kits, it was about collecting them. Hunting for the right shirt, learning what made certain designs special, and appreciating football shirts as cultural pieces rather than just something to wear to a game.
Ask Ezekiel for his favourite shirt and the answer depends on why you’re asking. From an aesthetic point of view, the standout is the Dortmund 1994/95 away long-sleeved shirt, a true 90s masterpiece packed with intricate detailing in the fabric. From a historical perspective, his favourite is the Norwich City 1992–94 home shirt. Ezekiel wasn’t born when Norwich finished third in the inaugural Premier League, but that era, followed by a memorable UEFA Cup run, makes this shirt a powerful link to the club’s greatest years. He admits he never thought he’d own either of them.
For Ezekiel, the definition of a good football shirt isn’t universal and that’s exactly how it should be. A good shirt means something different to every collector, but for him it’s all about patterns and unique details, features that make a shirt stand out and give it character.
Every collector has a dream shirt, the one that feels just out of reach. For Ezekiel, that grail is the Norwich City 1990/91 away shirt. Finding one in good condition and the right size would be extremely lucky, and that challenge is part of what makes the chase so appealing.
When it comes to advice for new collectors, Ezekiel keeps it simple and honest. Collect what you want to collect and don’t let others dictate what you should or shouldn’t like. He encourages people not to get drawn into hype or fear of missing out, to shop around, and to support independent sellers wherever possible. Most shirts will come up again or get reduced, so if you’re not completely sure about a purchase, it’s often better to wait and think before buying.
Ezekiel Downes is proof that the best collections aren’t built overnight, and they’re not built for anyone else’s approval. From a Norwich shirt with his name on the back to rare 90s pieces he never expected to own, his collection reflects what Football Finds is all about, the joy of discovery, the stories behind the shirts, and collecting purely for the love of the game.