How to Sell Old Football Shirts in the UK

August 10, 2026

How to Sell Old Football Shirts in the UK

Found a pile of football shirts you don't wear anymore?

Before you shove them into a charity bag or list the entire collection online for £20, have a proper look at what you've got.

Older football shirts can have surprisingly active resale markets.

That doesn't mean everything is worth a fortune.

But some shirts absolutely deserve a little research before they're sold.

Step 1: Work out exactly what you have

Start by identifying each shirt.

Record:

Club
Season
Home/away/third
Manufacturer
Size
Player printing
Condition

If you don't know the season, use the sponsor, manufacturer and design to research it.

Product codes on newer shirts can also help.

Step 2: Check authenticity

Nobody wants to accidentally sell a counterfeit as genuine.

If you bought the shirt from an official retailer yourself, this part may be straightforward.

If you've inherited it or bought it second hand, inspect it.

Check:

Internal labels
Product code
Badge
Sponsor
Manufacturer branding
Material
Construction

For expensive shirts, consider getting an expert opinion.

Step 3: Assess the condition honestly

Condition is one of the biggest factors affecting value.

Look closely.

Don't just write “good condition for age” and hope nobody notices the hole near the hem.

Check:

Sponsor.

Badge.

Nameset.

Material.

Collar.

Sleeves.

Underarms.

Front.

Back.

Common issues include pulls, bobbling, small marks, cracking and peeling.

Being honest saves everyone hassle.

Step 4: Take useful photographs

Bad photographs cost sellers money.

Natural light is your friend.

Photograph the shirt laid flat and include:

Full front
Full back
Close-up of badge
Close-up of sponsor
Manufacturer logo
Size label
Internal labels
Product codes
Printing
Defects

Don't hide damage.

A serious buyer would rather see the flaw before purchasing than discover it when the parcel arrives.

Step 5: Research the price

Search for the exact shirt.

Then look for completed sales where possible.

Don't automatically copy the highest asking price you can find.

Compare your shirt against examples with similar:

Condition
Size
Player printing
Version

If yours has significant sponsor damage and the £150 example is mint, they aren't equivalent.

Where can you sell football shirts?

You have several options.

Specialist football shirt retailer

Selling directly to a specialist is usually the simplest approach.

You send details.

They value the shirts.

You receive an offer.

You won't necessarily receive the maximum theoretical price that could be achieved selling every shirt individually because the retailer needs room to process and resell the stock.

What you gain is convenience.

Online marketplace

Marketplaces allow you to sell directly to another customer.

This can potentially achieve a stronger price, but you'll need to:

Photograph everything
Write listings
Answer questions
Handle buyers
Package shirts
Deal with fees
Deal with returns or disputes

For one rare shirt, that may be worthwhile.

For 80 shirts in the loft, it can become a second job.

Collector groups

Football shirt communities can be excellent places to sell.

Collectors know what they're looking at and niche shirts may find the right buyer more easily.

Just make sure you're comfortable with the payment method and buyer.

Selling individually vs selling as a collection

Selling individually usually gives you more control over pricing.

It also requires considerably more effort.

Selling a collection together is faster but buyers generally expect a better overall deal.

Decide whether your priority is:

Maximum possible revenue.

Or getting the shirts sold efficiently.

There's no wrong answer.

Should you wash shirts before selling?

If a shirt genuinely needs washing and is safe to wash, presenting it clean makes sense.

But don't aggressively clean valuable vintage shirts.

A small mark is preferable to a destroyed sponsor.

What information does a football shirt buyer need?

At minimum:

Clear photographs
Size
Condition
Club
Approximate season if known

The more accurate information you provide, the easier it is to value.

Don't throw damaged shirts away

Lower-condition football shirts can still be sellable.

A collector may happily buy a worn example of a desirable shirt if the price reflects the damage.

This is particularly true when pristine examples are expensive.

Be transparent and let the buyer decide.

Selling shirts you've inherited

If you've inherited a football shirt collection and know nothing about football shirts, don't panic.

Don't wash everything.

Don't cut labels out.

Don't remove namesets.

Don't assume old equals worthless.

Photograph the collection first and identify what you have.

Ready to sell?

Football Finds buys football shirts and collections.

If you've got shirts sitting unused, our Sell to Us option gives you a straightforward way to show us what you have and receive an offer without creating dozens of individual listings yourself.

Even if you're not sure whether something is valuable, send clear photographs and as much information as you know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to sell football shirts?

It depends on your priority. Specialist retailers provide convenience, while selling directly through marketplaces can potentially achieve higher individual sale prices.