Christmas Candy - Barratt Footballers

George Bassett loved candy. Little did he know when he began that starting in the 1930's his confectionery sweets would be associated with soccer cards.  The company subdivided into Barratt Candy which issued some of the only English cards from the 1970's to the 1990's.

 

As a collector of certain players, I was able to check off a few of these with a recent purchase.

 

1986 Barratt # 34 - Shilton

 

My collection of PETER SHILTON cards stands somewhere around 40 to 50 issues. (I need to make a Master List for him).

1995 Barratt # 2 - Giggs

 

You cannot go wrong with the only player to play and score in EVERY Premier League season since it began in 1992. Manchester United's RYAN GIGGS is that Record holder.

1995 Barratt # 1 - Cantona

 

Probably my favorite Manchester United legend ever, other than George Best, is ERIC CANTONA. If you want to see a great soccer movie, check out "LOOKING FOR ERIC".

1986 Barratt # 39 - Dalglish

 

I probably don't collect any modern  retired player as frequently as "King Kenny" DALGLISH. The Liverpool legend appears on this card in a Scotland jersey.

1986 Barratt # 14 - Aldridge

 

Another Liverpool and Ireland star before he joined the Anfield club - JOHN ALDRIDGE.

1985 Barratt # 2 - Heath

 

A star from the "blue" side of Liverpool, was Everton's ADRIAN HEATH. Heath has been the Manager here of Orlando City - winning two 3rd Division Championships. The team will begin playing in MLS in 2015.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY NEW YEAR !

 

Soccer Cards Catch World Cup Prices ... $$$$$$$

It looks like World Cup fever is catching up with the soccer card collecting hobby. Several rather hefty prices have been realized for modern cards. Top of that list, in the American market, is still David Beckham. Oh, what a goof the Upper Deck people made when they omitted Beckham from the autographed sets of Major League Soccer cards.

The above 2002 Upper Deck Manchester United card - numbered # 31 of 50 - sold on ebay recently for a whopping $386.65 plus postage.

Not to be outdone by the new HEROES - Futera has made a big impact on the hobby with exclusive 1/1 autograph cards. However, the real surprise is the non-autograph cards that are bringing triple digit prices.

The French superstar Eric Cantona fetched $170.00 for his 2009 LEGEND card (above) while another English World Cup star - Bobby Moore brought $172.50 for his card (below). Moore played briefly in the old NASL during the 1970's and appeared in America with West Ham United when they played in the ISL of the 1960's summer league.

In other news ...

Reports that MLS' 2009 Most Valuable Player - Landon Donovan will go on loan to Everton F.C. for 3 months before the MLS season starts next year. He joins fellow Yankee - Tim Howard with the Liverpool club.

Another former player - ex-Tottenham, Inter and Bayern Munich player, former Germany national team coach - Jurgen Klinsmann (below -1995 Merlin pogs) is returning to the USA. He lived in California for some time. Can we speculate that he will take the New York Red Bull vacant coaching job ? Time will tell ...

In a wonderful holiday gesture, I was sent this card by a fellow blogger - 2009 Goodwin Champions Alex Ovechkin. I am happy to see other athletes in these sets but also disappointed with the lack of soccer players. The unassuming pose is refreshing in the avalanche of action shots that flood todays' sets.