Is this Vale’s priciest keeper’s shirt?
A shirt once worn by Kevin Pilkington during the 1998-99 season could have become the priciest goalkeeper’s jersey in the club’s history.
Pilkington’s shirt (which he wore for the 3-0 1998 League Cup defeat to Liverpool) was one of a number of items auctioned by bankrupt former goalkeeper David James. James was in the Liverpool side for the Vale clash and presumably exchanged shirts with Pilkington.
Pilkington’s shirt received eleven bids and was sold for an eyebrow-raising £137…
According to newspaper reports, Pilkington’s shirt received eleven bids and was sold for an eyebrow-raising £137. It seems a high price for a jersey with a questionable design and which was worn by one of the club’s less-renowned goalkeepers.
An OVF search of auction website eBay failed to find any Port Vale goalkeeper’s shirt selling for more than Pilkington’s which would presumably make it the most expensive goalkeeping shirt in the club’s history.
Playing for keeps (not style)
Here are some more somewhat questionable Vale goalkeeping designs:
Paul Musselwhite (1993)
Paul Musselwhite (1991)
Stuart Tomlinson (2009)
Jonny Brain and Joe Anyon (2005)