TRADING STANDARDS GIVE RED CARD TO FAKE WORLD CUP MERCHANDISE

A surprise counter-attack by the Royal Borough’s Trading Standards team has resulted in a major haul of fake England football shirts.

Trading Standards Officers working in partnership with The Football Association, Umbro, Dorset Trading Standards and a local legitimate memorabilia company, Spirit of Sport, have intercepted a consignment and stopped nearly 200 signed fake shirts from hitting the market place.

The shirts, with a street value of £20,000, contain the prized signatures of 9 of the original 1966 World Cup winning England team - Alan Ball, Gordon Banks, Jack Charlton, George Cohen, Roger Hunt, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilson.

The signatures are genuine, but unfortunately the veteran players unwittingly signed fake shirts

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said: "This is certainly one–nil to the authorities and sends a strong message to those involved in dealing in counterfeit goods that we will rigorously enforce the law, especially in this important run up to the world cup. Legitimate traders can be assured of a level playing field."

Nick Langhorne, solicitor for The FA, said: "The FA appreciates the efforts of Trading Standards to assist us in protecting our brand. In the build up to the World Cup The FA and its exclusive kit licensee, Umbro, are devoting substantial resources to prevent this type of activity. This is vital given the support that The FA gets from our sponsors and other commercial partners with whom we work and, more importantly, our fans who support the team and the game by buying official merchandise. The FA is a not for profit organisation and any surplus made from the sale of official England merchandise is invested back into the game. We clearly want to ensure that this continues to be the case and that others are not unlawfully profiting from the England brand."

Mark Woodhead, managing director of Spirit of Sport, said: "We are grateful to Trading Standards for their sensitive handling and co-operation in this matter. The signed memorabilia industry needs to protect its respected and legitimate image and we are proud to work with the authorities to stamp out second rate fakes."

The fake shirts have been authorised for destruction and investigations against the original source, based in Dorset, are continuing.

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John Crowson  - Tottenham /Spurs Shirts     |2008-03-25 Spurs shirts being imported from Thailand, sold on ebay, sellers name cocoshades Reply | Quote

R Johns  - 1966 England Kit   |2008-04-17 I have what everyone seems to agree is an original England World Cup 1966 winning tracksuit jacket. The manufacterer label says Authentic 'Arkwright' Sportswear. I've been offered hundreds of pounds over the years but kept it for a world cup final to perhaps sell/ put to a good cause etc. Shame about 2006. It's been kept in tissue paper, aired and is a 'Large' size with not a mark on it. First obtained it in 1994 (Interesting story...) Is this the right manufacterer and the real deal? If so, does anyone care to speculate on what it's worth. If not, since Richard Arkwright was a pioneer of cotton millinary from the 1870's and his business, still using his name, did branch into sportswear by late 20th century, is it possible it's still worth something? Appreciate any feedback, I'm worried someone will lift it soon....help!!? Rachel Johns- Sydney, Australia Reply | Quote

Greg   |2008-04-17 Arkwright were a company that manufactured reproduction football shirts and other kit, like tracksuits in the early 1990s (similar to TOFFS). I think I have a catalogue somewhere which I will see if I can dig out. The tracksuit jacket for the World Cup 1966 team would have been manufactured by Umbro, and if it was one of those I agree it would be worth hundreds of pounds. Sorry to disappoint! Reply | Quote

samir  - sport wear umbro     |2008-08-15 i am looking for original dealers of umbro with a wholesaler price to buy , for export yacine_ach73@Hotmail.com Reply | Quote

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