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Arjan
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The FC Groningen fan's collection began with an Everton shirt he received from English football fans on a holiday, since then his collection has expanded across the world featuring teams from Australia, Cyprus, Germany and Wales.
Arjan is keen to expand his footballing wardrobe and is looking for Welsh teams football shirts to add to his collection, if you would like to help Arjan on his quest details will be at the end of the article.
Arjan is keen to expand his footballing wardrobe and is looking for Welsh teams football shirts to add to his collection, if you would like to help Arjan on his quest details will be at the end of the article.
Q. What kicked off the Football shirt addiction?
A.I started around 20 years ago. The First shirt was an Everton one I got from some English guys I met during holiday and that started my collection. At that time there was not much internet and also not Ebay and online fanshops. When that started to expand, my collection was growing and growing more and more. Nowadays with Social Media it makes it more easier to get in contact with other collectors and with (supporters of people from) clubs to talk about, get and exchange football shirts. Q. When did you start collecting? A. I got my first shirt in 1997, but really started collecting a few years later. In 2005 I had around 250, 5 years later around 750 and now getting close to 2,200. Q. Although you have many to pick from which is your favourite shirt and who you support? A. I support several teams. In Holland I support FC Groningen and Feyenoord. In England I support Everton and in Germany Werder Bremen. In my shirt collection I have some preferences. Green-white combined shirts (same colours as FC Groningen and this combination you dont see very often in Europe), totally black shirts and shirts from teams that nobody knows over here, like most of the Welsh teams and English non league teams. |
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Q. When speaking to Sport-Thought you mentioned your desire to collect Welsh shirts, up to now how many do you own?
A. At the moment I have 18 different shirts from 14 Welsh teams. For all my shirts I have taken photo's and put them online on my website www.voetbalshirts.org. This is for myself to remember which I have but also for other people to see which shirt I’ve got." Q. Out of all the teams across Wales which is your favourite? A.That are 2 at the moment, Prestatyn Town and Llandudno. This because of their kindness. Last september I went with a friend of mine to the Llandudno v Prestatyn Town match. I contacted them before the game telling them I was coming and asked if they were selling shirts. When I got there the teams had contacted each other and they offered me a shirt from both teams at half time on the pitch! Thank you to Arjan for his time and hopefully this time next year he's got himself that elusive FC Gronigen shirt. |
Q. Having collected nearly 2,200 shirts which one would you say cost the most? A. I have some old FC Groningen, Feyenoord and Everton ones from the 80’s that will be worth a lot. The most expensive shirt looking at the amount I paid for it are 2 FC Groningen match prepaired shirt for the European campaign 2015-2016 after they won the Dutch FA-cup in the previous season. These shirts never went for sale because they had a special sponsor for those games." Q. Is there a shirt that you've wanted for a long time but you've so far found difficult to get your hands on? A. FC Groningen won the Cup Final in 2015 and that was the First time. I am trying to get hold of one of the shirts they used in the Final. Besides that there is no particular shirt to get. Just like to search for strange shirts. Because of the colour combination or because nobody knows the team over here. Q. Is there an amount in your mind that you think once you reach it you'll stop? A. No, Not at the moment. As long I have space in my room and still have the money i'd still like to collect. I’ll keep on going. My general rule is to get 2 or 3 shirts from one team (prefer at least one home and one away) and then stop. |
While taking this interview Arjan spoke about his love for Welsh football and expressed his desire to add more Welsh football shirts to his collection, if there is anyone willing to help Arjan out you can contact him via:
www.facebook.com/voetbalshirts.org
[email protected]
www.voetbalshirts.org
www.facebook.com/voetbalshirts.org
[email protected]
www.voetbalshirts.org
Any Images or information used have been used with permission of Arjan Wijngaard