Since I was a kid, I have loved being a collector. Down the years I have collected stamps, flags, postcards, maps, stickers, books, CDs, cassettes, beer labels, football match programmes, football shirts, football memorabilia, concert tickets, football tickets, collectors cards, banknotes, coins and a lot of other things! I documented it in my Travel Collectables series.
I completed my Mexico 86 Panini Sticker album including Northern Ireland, and Maradona but I lost it/it was stolen – copyright Panini
Collecting these items can be fun, nostalgic, and even financially rewarding. Here are the advantages of collecting each:
1. Panini Football Stickers (Regular English League)
My collection of Panini Football Stickers dates back to the 1986 English League season – I collected it before the World Cup. I completed the football league album that year – I remember the badge shinys of teams like Newcastle United, Swindon Town and Motherwell, as Scotland had pages at the back.
Nostalgia & Tradition – Many collectors started as kids, making it a sentimental hobby.
Community & Trading – Fans can swap stickers to complete albums and connect with others.
Football Knowledge – Helps fans learn about teams, players, and stats.
Value Over Time – Rare or complete albums can appreciate in price, especially older editions.
Memorabilia Appeal – A great way to preserve football history in sticker form.
Drawing Maradona and the Norn Iron page of my Mexico 86 Panini album
2. Panini Football Stickers (World Cup)
I completed the World Cup album that year too – 1986 – Northern Ireland qualfied and played in a group with Algeria, Spain and Brazil. I continued to collect Panini stickers for every World Cup after that from 1990 up to 2002 when I stopped.
Event-Specific Collectible – Released only every four years, making them more special.
Global Appeal – Unlike league stickers, these feature international stars from all over the world.
Historical Significance – Each album represents a snapshot of a legendary tournament.
Potential Investment – Complete albums or rare stickers (like Messi’s first World Cup sticker) can increase in value.
Excitement & Challenge – The limited timeframe before the tournament adds urgency and thrill to collecting.
That Legendary Cameroon 1990 World Cup squad – copyright Panini
3. Pokémon Cards
The Pokemon phenomenon is certainly a wild one and Pokémon Cards are also a decent business investment. Pokémon cards were officially introduced in October 1996 in Japan after the success of the video game, and the collectable Pokemon card game has grown hugely since those early days.
Investment Potential – Some cards (e.g., 1st Edition Charizard) sell for thousands.
Gameplay & Strategy – Unlike stickers, Pokémon cards can be used in actual battles.
Nostalgia & Fandom – Pokémon has a massive fanbase, and old cards bring back childhood memories.
Special & Rare Editions – Holographic, Shiny, and Promo cards make collecting exciting.
Crossover Appeal – Popular among both casual collectors and hardcore investors.
Pokemon Cards
4. Top Trumps
For a while in the 1990s I enjoyed collecting Top Trumps. We would play them with friends.
Fun & Playability – Unlike most collectibles, you can play with these cards.
Educational Value – Many decks focus on themes like cars, dinosaurs, or history.
Easy to Collect – Affordable and widely available in different editions.
Great for All Ages – Kids and adults alike can enjoy them.
Variety & Themes – Hundreds of different sets mean there’s always something new to collect.
5. Batman Cards
Another old fad of mine was collecting Batman cards. It was originally for the film Batman The Movie featuring Jack Nicholson as The Joker.
Superhero Fandom – Batman is one of the most popular superheroes, making the cards highly collectible.
Artwork & Designs – Many feature stunning comic book-style artwork.
Limited Editions & Rare Finds – Some Batman card sets have rare or autographed editions.
Cross-Generational Appeal – Batman spans decades, appealing to fans young and old.
Potential Value Growth – Older sets and rare cards can appreciate in price over time.
Overall, it’s great to have a hobby and enjoy these collectables.