STOKE CITY, PETER SHILTON and New Soccer Card Prices

Premier League club STOKE CITY continue their tour of the USA tomorrow night. I will be attending their game at the Citrus Bowl against USL PRO Champions Orlando City. 

I am hoping new American signing Geoff Cameron (from Houston Dynamo) will make his debut for Stoke along with City's star players - Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones and Thomas Sorensen. Hopefully, I will get a few photos to share of the night for upcoming blogs.

July 25 - Columbus Crew 2, Stoke City 1

July 28 - Orlando City (Citrus Bowl) 7:30 PM

August 1 - Sporting Kansas City (Livestrong Park)

PETER SHILTON -

I've added another 1975 Topps card to my collection. When I wrote about Stan Matthews having cards in 4 different decades,  I could have also added another Stoke City player - PETER SHILTON. 

1975 TOPPS Peter Shilton

Shilton played a record 125 games for England. He also added a phenomenal 1005 league matches. In total he holds the world record for most competitive matches in professional soccer. He made his card debut in the 1960's and had various issued collectables in the 70's, 80's and 90's until his retirement.

This 1975 card makes my checklist of all but one Topps Shilton cards (10 out of 11 completed). 

PRICE WATCH -

The recent ebay prices for modern soccer cards has continued to rise.

Here are just a few high lights :

2012 Upper Deck MLS Marks - Thierry Henry - $232.50

The Upper Deck autograph of the Frenchman fetched over $200 bucks even though the signature is on the "band aid" sticker. 

2008 Sport Kings Gold - Pele -  $306.00

This "on card" Gold autograph (1 of 10) from Sport Kings has been hovering around $900 bucks, so someone got a steal at a third of the price. Still one of the best cards ever to have in your collection.

2012 Futera Unique - Demba Ba - $242.22

The rise in 1 of 1 Futera autograph cards is truly interesting. Such is the wonder with the above card of Newcastle United's young star Demba Ba.  A 1 of 1 of Liverpool star Maxi Rodriguez also sold for $315.00

2001 Upper Deck Man. United - Beckham - $809.99

I made the mistake in thinking the auction had ended on this David Beckham card at around $500.00 - it was furious bidding that push it a further $300 bills ...

Next up:  vintage card prices

GERMAN GOLD ! FUTERA 1 of 1

While Germany is through to the semifinals of the EURO 2012 tournament, I waited for the mail to bring a promised soccer card. FUTERA is probably the highest end soccer cards in the world. Their production of 500 sets to fill the appetite of the entire globe makes their product rare if nothing else.

I was waiting on a replacement card for a returned 1 of 1 autograph. I had small expectations as this could be anyone from the recently sold Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona - both of which sold for over $4,000 on ebay to the lesser known players included in the run.

When my package arrived, I was happy to see a current German international THOMAS MULLER on the card. 

Muller was the Golden Boot inner at the 2010 FIFA World Cup as top goal scorer. He was also voted best young player of the tournament. Playing his club football at BAYERN MUNICH, he has already won 1 Championship and one German Cup title with the Bavarians. 

It may not be the most legible autograph, but much better than most of the modern ones I've seen. Having already immortalized himself as top scorer in a FIFA World Cup is great, but he is only 22 years old. Germany finished in 3rd place in 2010 and will end in no less than 4th place with the semifinals yet to be played.

I do not care for the design of the 2012 Futera Unique gold autograph cards. I actually like the ones form earlier years. But as a valued 1 of 1 cards go, this is a pretty sweet one to own.

Did I mention that the card is covered in 24 carat gold ?