Ask three collectors what "match worn" means and you may get three answers. The terms are used loosely, sometimes carelessly and occasionally on purpose, because a stronger label sells for more. Here is how we use them, and what you should expect to see before you believe any of them.
Match worn
A match worn shirt was worn by a player in an actual match. That is a claim about a specific shirt, on a specific day, on a specific body. It is the strongest claim in the list, so it needs the strongest evidence: usually photo-matching (see our guide to photo-matching), a letter or certificate from the club or the player, or a clear chain of ownership back to the source.
Match issued
A match issued shirt was prepared for a player for a match: the right name, number and competition patches were applied, and it was handed out by the club. Whether it was then worn on the pitch, or stayed in the kit room, is not established. Many shirts sold as "match worn" are, strictly speaking, match issued, and a straight seller will say so.
Player issue
Player issue (also called player spec or authentic) describes the version of a shirt made for players, as opposed to the version sold in shops. It tells you about the cut, the fabric and sometimes the labelling. It does not tell you that any player wore that particular shirt. A player issue shirt with no name and number is simply a very good shirt.
Replica
A replica is the standard fan version sold in shops. Nothing wrong with that: many of the most loved vintage shirts are replicas, and a 1990s replica in good condition is a real collector's piece. It just is not a player's shirt, and it should not be priced like one.
Unwashed, prepared, signed
Three more words you will meet in listings. Unwashed means the shirt has not been laundered since the match, which matters to some collectors because dirt and grass marks are part of the evidence. Prepared means the shirt was made up for a player, with name, number and patches, but may not have been used. Signed means a signature is present; it says nothing about use, and a signature on its own does not prove that a shirt was worn.
What to ask for
- Which of the four terms applies, and what is the evidence for it?
- Are there photos of the match, and has the shirt been compared to them?
- Is there a certificate, and who issued it? Read what a certificate of authenticity really proves.
- Where does the shirt come from, and can the seller say so?
How we describe our shirts
We write what we can establish and say so where we cannot. If a shirt is match issued and we cannot show it was worn, the listing says match issued. Browse the current selection in our match worn and issued shirts, and read our match worn guide for more background.