TRADING - THE WORLD'S GAME

With the Euros going full steam over in Poland / Ukraine, the US Soccer Team was covertly earning its way to the next World Cup playing without TV coverage in Guatemala. 

In the spirit of international peace, I am not going to write and rant about this past Tuesdays US Soccer World Cup Qualifier being only available on pay-per-view. The American escaped from the 3rd World hell with a 1:1 draw thanks to stalwart  net minder - TIM HOWARD.

2011 Futera Unique TIM HOWARD card

As the USA will be take a break from the qualification to BRAZIL 2014 with no games until September, I am offering up a 2012 US SOCCER YEARBOOK to scout out the Yank's squad. 

It is filled with full color biographies of all the players with other stats and photos.

(above - Landon Donovan bio page.)

I usually sell these for $15 bucks in the year they come out and $10 when the next one comes out. 

Also, if anyone has this card ...

2011 Allen & Ginter  - TIM HOWARD autograph, I would be willing to trade and even add to the kitty.

I need all versions of the card - mini, black, jersey and base.

FUTERA ... Out of This World cards

Last posting I featured a great new set from ITG of Canada. This time it is even better ...
Futera cards of the UK (near England for the geographically challenged) have just released their 9th annual series of World Football cards. The company began in the late 1990's with club sets that included Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Celtic.

The release began some of the most coveted sports collectables in recent years with their 1/1 autograph cards. (that means only one card like this exists in the entire world) Now if you follow baseball, hockey or basketball there might be a few million of you. However, since soccer - football is world wide - the hunt for these treasures is massive for the billions who love this game.

For Americans it's special as the cards depict players usually with national team jerseys - only an exclusive few make these limited sets. Two to three Yanks have been included with sets in the past few years. Recent sets have included Landon Donovan, Kasey Keller and current # 1 goalkeeper - Tim Howard (above).

Some of the more interesting memorabilia cards have been produced by Futera. For the collectors who are weary of jersey cards that come from photo shoots or practice gear - rest assured, these cards tell you exactly from which team / season the jersey originates. The back of the above card of superstar "Ronaldinho" lets you know the swatch comes from his rookie season with Paris St. Germain.

The newest twist on card collecting comes from what is on the back of these cards. Futera has developed online gaming for card collectors. Entering the digital numbers on the reverse of the cards, collectors add to their fantasy teams over the internet. Periodic winners get exclusive cards made by Futera and other prizes.

There are chase cards that feature current HEROES ... (like England / Chelsea Captain - John Terry and Holland / Arsenal gunner Robin Van Persie above).

The old boys are not to be outdone as the most sought after chase cards are the LEGENDS which show all-time greats like two former New York Cosmos - Pele' and Franz Beckenbauer.

So all around the world - at shops or online, from the Brazil's Greatest (Pele') to the Newest ( teenager - "Pato" at top), this set has it all. Made for the collectors and the gamers and the fans of the sport - 2009 FUTERA is out of this world.

Warning - this is a high end product - not for the faint hearted of finance. The HEROES card have a brisk selling price of $15 - 20 on the secondary market, while the LEGENDS can demand from $50 to $300.

The 1/1 cards that make it to the second hand auctions range from $100 to $500 for "average" players. Superstar 1/1 autographs (if anyone would give them up) would fetch well into the thousands of dollars price range - AC Milan's Gattuso bringing $450 last week on ebay.