February, the shortest month of the year, even when you tack on an extra day to account for the six hours and nine minutes beyond the 365 days we round a calendar year down to, as is the case in 2024. That being said, it didn’t mean there was any less City merch available. Here are what we considered the best bits… (writes Mike Carter)

The 1992/93 home shirt by Matchwinner is probably the most popular City replica shirt in existence and once again, we have another one to talk about. This one in size XL and in good condition was listed at £369.99. It didn’t take long to sell and that probably had something to do with the price. It is lower than a lot of the others we have covered in the past.

This 1995-97 away shirt by Super League in size medium was listed at £150 as a buy it now. It was described as in excellent condition and looking at the pictures, we would agree with this. It is probably at the high end of its valuation; however, the condition may have sealed the deal for its new owner.

We have spoken plenty in the past about third shirts retaining a lot of their value, and we have more examples here that back that up. Firstly, a pair of 2016/17 third shirts by Umbro both in size large. The first one sold at auction for £40 then the following day another one sold, this time using the best offer feature after being listed at £39.99. Poetic, really.

Staying with third shirts and this 2019/20 ‘Navy Peony’ third shirt by Umbro in size large with added competition patches sold for £42.80 after 4 bidders, placed 10 bids along the way.

A 2003/04 away shirt by Patrick with the name of Aussie striker Danny Allsopp and squad number 10, sold for £48. This could just be a club shop replica, however back in 2003, it wasn’t always a guarantee that competition patches would be applied to players’ shirts and XL was typically issued to players even when they had a name on the back, so this could actually be player worn. Hard to prove though if you have scruples.

Shirts that evoke memories of our 2008 promotion are usually quite popular, and rightly so! However, this 2007/08 home shirt by Umbro in large with Fraizer Campbell 25 on the back confused us a little. Initially it sold for £26, which we feel, is quite low. A few days later it was then relisted and sold again to an offer, using the best offer feature. It’s difficult to know for sure what happened here.

This printed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 2009/10 home shirt sold for £69.99 on February 1st. Pro sized numbers have been used, however they’re the vinyl appliqués as opposed to felt-like Lextra ones used by Tiger Leisure during our time in the Premier League (everyone got player style numbers in 2009/10, not just players). You may also notice the lack of a shirt sponsor on the front. The Umbro retail label reads “Factory Outlet CL”. This is clearly an old piece of stock that has been modified for profit.

In fact, this ‘item’ sold 5 times in February, which likely means either; A, someone is messing about, or B, the seller has multiple shirts and the last line of the previous paragraph should be bold and underlined (no – Editor)

Lastly, we’ve noticed a some ‘retro reproductions’ that have been listed in a way that could imply they are club shop sold replicas. This is what we think has happened here, as this reproduction of the 1980-82 home shirt sold for an eye watering £144.76. Of course there were no replicas made of the 1980s adidas shirts, anything you see with an adidas trefoil on it has not been produced by the club and should not be termed a ‘replica’.

Right, that’s your lot for February, we’ll be back soon to see if City polyester is among the ‘ides’ of March.

Caveat Emptor!