The £470 Loft Discovery: 11 Things to Do With Your Old Football Shirts
Got a collection of old football shirts sitting in the loft, doing absolutely nothing? I was in that exact position for years.
I spent most of my childhood in 1990s and early-2000s Manchester United kits, and for a VERY long time, they were stored in a black bin bag.
While I kept hold of them for sentimental reasons, I always had a hunch they’d be worth something one day.
Recently, while decluttering the house, I made the call to stop letting them collect dust and finally cash in.
The result? 15 shirts sold. £470.29 raised.
That might be enough to cover the expense of a season ticket, or pay a significant chunk of next year's grassroots fees.
From local buyers in the UK to collectors as far away as Australia, the global market for retro kits is massive.
But selling isn't the only option.
Whether you want to fund next season's kit or if you’re wondering what other options are at your disposal, here are 11 things you can do with your old football shirts.
The Tactical Sale: Turning Kits into Cash
1. Sell on eBay
This was the route I decided to go down.
As a family of five (including three young children and a dog!), we have too much clutter in the house.
For me personally, I knew the best option was to sell all of my old football shirts - apart from my very first one (the 1993-95 black Manchester United away shirt) which I'll never part with!
Even though it hasn't fitted me for 30 years, it's my favourite football shirt of all time.
I sold three of my old shirts to a fan in Australia. eBay take care of everything - you just have to get the shirt packaged up and sent off.
If you have rare 90s & 2000s kits, eBay is where you'll probably find the highest 'transfer fee'.
2. Quick Sale on Vinted or Facebook Marketplace
For modern kits or grassroots gear that your kids have outgrown or no longer wear, Vinted or Facebook Marketplace are both great for quick sales.
They’re perfect platforms for parents looking to buy second-hand shirts for a decent price.
Many of my eldest son's most-loved football shirts have come from Vinted after we've spotted fantastic deals on unwanted second-hand kits.
If you don’t want the hassle of eBay auctions, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace are the perfect low-effort alternatives for a quick local sale.
3. Sell to a Football Shirt Business
If you don't have the time to manage individual listings, some companies (including the excellent Classic Football Shirts) offer services where you can sell football shirts to them directly.
You might get a slightly lower price than a private sale, but the convenience is unbeatable.
The Professional Display: Matchday Memories
4. Get Them Framed and on the Wall
For that one 'holy grail' shirt that will forever occupy a special place in your heart - like the one you wore to your first final, or a kit signed by your childhood hero - a professional jersey frame turns clothing into art.
It protects the fabric from UV damage while keeping the memory alive on your wall.
There are many companies who offer football shirt framing services. Have a look on Google and choose a company based on positive customer reviews.
Alternatively, why not have a crack at framing the shirt yourself?
You’ll find plenty of helpful guides either on YouTube or on video-based social media platforms like TikTok.
5. Create a Matchday Shadow Box
You can take the framing a step further by including the match ticket, a program, or a photo from a day that you associate with the shirt in question.
It creates a beautiful visual board of your personal football history.
6. Canvas Wrapping
A modern, minimalist alternative to traditional framing.
Wrapping a shirt around a wooden canvas frame highlights the crest and the sponsor, making it look like a piece of contemporary art for a home office or man cave.
Creative Upcycling: New Life For Old Kits
7. Turn Your Shirt Into a Keepsake Bear
If a shirt is too sentimental to sell but too small to wear, you can have it transformed into a Memory Bear.
It’s a great way to pass a piece of your history down to your kids in a form of a sweet keepsake.
8. Or a Unique Football-Themed Blanket
There are also companies and individuals who offer to turn your collection of unused football shirts into a one-of-a-kind patchwork keepsake blanket.
This is another brilliant option if you can’t bring yourself to sell a decent-sized collection of football shirts.
9. Retro Restoration
Before you do anything, consider giving your unused football shirts a deep clean.
Using specific cleaning tactics to remove yellowing or sticky sponsors can significantly increase a shirt's value or simply make it wearable again.
The Legacy Moves: Passing the Torch
10. Donate to a Charity
Want to do a good deed?
Donating your old football shirts to a charity like Kits 4 Causes or KitAid is an absolutely amazing thing to do.
11. The Family Heirloom
Your other option is to keep your shirt and hand it over to a child for them to wear and enjoy.
Seeing my sons, Ryan and Mason, pull on a shirt that I wore 25 years ago is a priceless feeling.
Seeing your son or daughter wear a football shirt that you wore yourself as a youngster is arguably worth more than the pocket money you’ll generate from selling.
The eBay Tactics Board
How I secured £470 from selling 15 shirts:
Scout the Labels: Always photograph the inner neck and authenticity tags; collectors need these to verify the kit is genuine.
Natural Light: Quality photos are a must. Avoid camera flash. High-res photos in natural light build the trust needed to drive higher bids.
Price Wisely: Look at how much money similar shirts have recently sold for. If your shirt isn’t selling after a couple of weeks, consider reducing the price or send an offer to interested buyers.
Communication: Answer every question from potential buyers and always be polite!
Go Global: Don't fear international postage. Collectors in countries around the world are often willing to pay hefty delivery fees for UK-sourced retro gear.
Next Step: Once you've cleared out the loft, you'll have the budget ready for your next big trip
If you're planning a visit to the North West, check out my Ultimate Parent's Guide to Old Trafford to make sure your matchday runs as smoothly as your future eBay sales.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Rob, a journalist and a dad of three.
I’ve spent my career writing about football, and now I'm sharing the tactics board I use to navigate the world of youth football with my family.
Are you a creator or business?
I'm always looking to scout the best independent companies for our readers.
If you specialise in football shirt framing, memory bears, upcycling or something else and want to be featured in this guide, please get in touch!
Ever wonder what your old kits in the loft are actually worth? After turning 15 old shirts into a £470 transfer budget, I'm sharing the full tactics board for selling, displaying, and upcycling your collection.