The world’s biggest collection of match-worn Manchester City shirts is going under the hammer. Lifelong Blues fanatic Mark McCarthy has spent over 40 years amassing his incredible collection of 282 shirts, which range from 1926 to the present day.
They include those worn by modern-day club legends Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.
However, it also includes a kit worn in the 1926 FA Cup Final which City lost and one from their triumphant Final of 1969 when they beat Leicester 1-0. One of the earliest shirts being sold was worn by City striker Billy Sowden at the first match under floodlights at Maine Road in 1953.
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Kits worn by Colin Bell, Peter Barnes, Dennis Tueart, as well as Denis Law’s second debut shirt and Brian Kidd’s 1978 UEFA Cup shirt are also up for grabs.
Dad-of-four Mark, 49, is the cousin of former City defender – and now well-known manager – Mick McCarthy, previously Wolves and Republic Ireland boss
Mark declared himself a Blue in 1983, after visiting his grandfather, Mick McCarthy’s uncle, who told him his cousin was about to join the Blues.
And in 2021, Mark told the Manchester Evening News how his collection began after he decided he wanted to trace back his City roots, by obtaining one of his cousin’s match-worn shirts and became hooked on them.
“I was eight years old and back then I didn’t know anything about football and didn’t support a team. But from that moment when Mick joined City I was hooked” he said
“I took some stick at school because most of my mates supported Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or West Ham. But by the time I was 14 I was travelling to watch games on my own. I dreamt of tracing a shirt worn by my cousin.”
“That’s all I wanted really. Eventually, I acquired two shirts worn by Mick between 1985 and 1987. They’ll be treasured forever as family heirlooms.”
“It kick-started my obsession or fixation, whatever you want to call it. For me it’s all about the nostalgia, the feeling of being lost in time.”
“I’d imagine the fierce encounters the shirt had been part of in games featuring legends like Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish. I spent hours sourcing them online and even tracked down ex-players from the 1970s and 80s.”
“I met them all over the UK to secure their shirt. I began collecting in chronological order from different seasons. I put out appeals, spoke to players or family members and bought at auctions. At one point I thought I might stop.”
“But it was never-ending, there was always another shirt, another holy grail to find. Over time, because I became known for it, shirts started to come to me, occasionally from players.”
“That was the case with David Silva’s shirt from the 8-0 win over Watford donated to me in 2019. My collection stretches back to the Edwardian era with the shirt worn by City’s George Hicks in the 1926 FA Cup final.
I also have a gem from the 1950s which is one of my favourites. It was specially made for the first game under the Maine Road floodlights against Scottish side Hearts in 1953. I also have the shirt worn by Blues cult hero Tommy Booth in the 1969 FA Cup final win over Leicester.”
He has since written a book detailing the collection. However, he now says it is taking up too much space at his home in Milton Keynes.
“I know some people will be surprised I’m selling but there are a few reasons, some personal,” said Mark, who has followed City home and away for decades. “I had a lot of changes in my circumstances last year following an operation, quite a big one on my neck.
“That changed things physically for me and limited work. I also want to spend more time with my family. My wife, Sarah, and our four children, Lucie, Jordan, Harvey and Olivia, have always been understanding. But a hobby like mine can be all-consuming – and takes up a lot of wardrobe space.”
Despite parting with the famous jerseys, the garden designer says he hopes the eventual buyer will continue his passion for collecting iconic shirts.
Mark added: “My passion hasn’t dwindled one bit. I’ve been City-obsessed for 42 years and I’ve built up a collection I’m super proud of. It’s been described as the best Manchester City shirts collection in the world and no-one has ever disputed that.”
“But I’m turning 50 this year and the time feels right to pass the baton to someone else. I hope they’ll enjoy the collection as much as me and recognise all the years, effort, blood, sweat and tears that’s gone into it. My dream would be to find a buyer who would continue to grow the collection honouring City’s history.”
They are going under the hammer at Hansons World of Football.. The collection will be sold as one lot during a timed online auction between July 29 and August 9.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons World Football, said: “Football memorabilia is as strong as the Old Masters market of yesteryear. It is one of the most focused areas in modern-day collecting.”