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Before the premiership existed, when football shirts were cool as shit (well they seem cool to me now in 2008-I predict a fashion wave!) and most players were alcoholics, a trading card called Pro Set pretty much consumed my little 6 year old existence. But what has happened to them now?! I can’t for the life of me track them down via the internet. The only thing I found were a few sites selling the likes of Dion Dublin’s card (at Cambridge at the time) for a quid (which I have) or the entire Arsenal team for a fiver (which I also have – £6 for me boom ting). There are also the American Football cards knocking around but no site or anything exists from what I can see – have they really gone bust? Because if they have it is my mission to get the Pro Set card people together, sit them down and make them realise how much money they could be making these days – surely kids would love it, or at 24 am I already out of ‘touch with today’s youth’?
On the back of the folder I found an address which led me to this UEFA website page but unfortunately the number didn’t work – so what I am asking is, if anyone can help us get in contact with Pro Set and find out what happened please let us know by leaving a comment! This is the address in case someone random reads this and either works there or lives near by:
Pro Set U.K Limited, 87 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 8BU
Every month from now on I will post an update on my findings with a couple of players cards scanned for good measure, just like these beauties below:
Underrated Nigel, Poor old Gazza, Delia's Ruel, Alco Tony, Drity Dennis
What I love about these the most tho are the comments and stats on the back, pure nostalgia:
Take Gazza’s for example: “The new superstar of English football, “Gazza” won the hearts of the nation for his performances during the World Cup in Italy. A player of prodigious talent, he played for Newcastle for three seasons and was the idol of Tyneside. He signed for Spurs for £2 million in July 1988. Fills the grounds wherever he plays.” -pure poetry that is, full of cliched 90s joy, John Motson bread and butter chat if you will, but still quality.
I could quote all 6 of those bad boys but I won’t, however I do think Paul McGrath’s opening line is pure class:
“Regarded as possibly the best central defender in the First Division despite problems of the field” – was there any need to mention his ‘off field’ problems? So he drank a little bleach now and then, he’s still the Don.
As I said I think these cards will be a regular feature, especially as my chances of getting in contact with Pro Set appears slim but for the time being here’s a few honorary mentions to keep you going til next time:
1. Nigel Spink – ‘reputed to be one of the safest goalkeepers in the game’
2. Cyrille Regis – ‘reared in London’
3. Paul Walsh – ‘A tenancious terrier of a player’ . In fact Paul’ back photo (his hair I mean) is so good he gets the final shot of the blog:
Full, luxuriant hair
SO please help me bring back Pro Set!
david wrote:
I have a full set of 285 cards with binder adn will be putting them up for auction – what do you think I should expect for them?
David
Posted on 08-Oct-08 at 4:34 pm | Permalink
ben wrote:
no idea to be honest, there doesn’t seem to be a demand for them! Keep em a while longer, one day when the prem has turned into an uglier, greedier place people will appreciate them more!
Posted on 11-Nov-08 at 2:51 pm | Permalink
ray wrote:
Pro Set went under after 1993 (over-production, too many card categories including Yo! MTV Raps, Racing, American and European football, golf, musical artists sets, etc) and most people probably threw all the boxes they did have in the dust bins! I have a complete set of the soccer cards also and have had them ever since they came out. The only way to complete your set would be to find someone who has a box or more to sell (don’t pay too much; they ain’t worth it!) and go through them one by one like I did, ripping them open and putting them in order. Matter of fact, I think I still have several singles left that I boxed up if you want them to make your set! Although I am not sure how you would get ahold of me (I live in the USA near Chicago Illinois) but I would be happy to swap them with you. I will look for your reply here.
Posted on 15-Dec-08 at 1:14 am | Permalink
ray wrote:
look what I just found….dec 15 2008…
http://www.soccercards.com/ma/itm00074.htm
Posted on 15-Dec-08 at 1:40 am | Permalink
ben wrote:
Hi Ray, thanks very much for the details, and that link is very tempting, only 30 dollars too, might have to invest over the festive season…… what I want to know is why someone hasnt started up Pro Set again, surely in this day and age the kids would be well up for collecting them, or am I at a mere 24 out of touch? cheers again.
Posted on 16-Dec-08 at 2:59 pm | Permalink
ray wrote:
well someone would need to contact lud denny the owner of pro set and its name and he might want a gazillion $$ just to buy the rights. in the trading card world now it is just not feasible to do. i think they were beautiful cards since the only ones made by topps were plain ugly cardboard back in 89. like i said though, i have a bunch of extra singles I am willing to give you if you want them. I dont need them and they dont seem to have much value today. Let me know hwo to get ahold of you. This is a serious offer too…just like to spread the hobby. Happy holidaze!
Posted on 16-Dec-08 at 5:06 pm | Permalink
ben wrote:
thats a kind offer! give me an email at ben@footballfilter.com and we can discuss it! cheers Ray.
Posted on 17-Dec-08 at 1:45 am | Permalink
Carl wrote:
Around the same time (90-92) there was a rival series called Shooting Stars. I get the feeling cards gave a lower return than sticker books in the long run, so they went back to those. And of course ‘official merchandise’ for the kids makes much more profit too.
I’m in Coventry and have around 900 cards from the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, with binders. Full 328 card set 90-91, full 100 card Scottish League set 91-92, full 230 card Part 1 English card set 91-92, and 230 of 250 Part 2 cards that completes the set- I fell just 19 short!
I’m willing to sell and let someone complete the collection and hold on to them- I was thinking about £30 if anyone interested.
Posted on 14-Aug-09 at 4:04 am | Permalink