{"product_id":"2008-09-wigan-athletic-gk-longsleeve-shirt","title":"Wigan Athletic Goalkeeper Jersey 2008-09 JJB Sports Vintage","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eWigan Athletic 2008-09 — Champion goalkeeper jersey sponsored by JJB Sports, boys' L\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e2008-09 season, \u003cstrong\u003eWigan Athletic in the Premier League\u003c\/strong\u003e, a club that has defied all footballing logic since its promotion to the English top flight. This \u003cstrong\u003eChampion long-sleeved goalkeeper jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e features the \u003cstrong\u003eJJB Sports\u003c\/strong\u003e logo on the chest — the historic sponsor of the Latics, the one that accompanied the incredible rise of this Lancashire club to the pinnacle of English football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2008-2009\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wigan Athletic\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goalkeeper — long sleeves\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit manufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Champion\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e JJB SPORTS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e L Boys\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e SPONSOR: JJB SPORTS — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, exceptional condition for a piece from this era\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eIn 2008-09, \u003cstrong\u003eWigan Athletic\u003c\/strong\u003e played their fourth consecutive season in the \u003cstrong\u003ePremier League\u003c\/strong\u003e — which, for a club of this stature, was almost a continuous miracle. Founded in 1932, and long confined to the lower divisions of English football, Wigan had been propelled into the top flight in 2005 under the impetus of owner \u003cstrong\u003eDave Whelan\u003c\/strong\u003e, founder of the JJB Sports chain, whose logo precisely adorns this jersey. A perfect circle between the man, his commercial empire, and his beloved club.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThat season, the \u003cstrong\u003eLatics\u003c\/strong\u003e were in a typically Wigan-esque in-between: neither relegated nor European, but damn alive in every match. Manager \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Bruce\u003c\/strong\u003e, who arrived in the summer of 2007, was trying to stabilize a squad built to survive in the big league. Players like \u003cstrong\u003eEmile Heskey\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eWilson Palacios\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eAntonio Valencia\u003c\/strong\u003e — who would move to Manchester United the following summer — gave the DW Stadium the feel of a club that shouldn't be there, but was, and wanted to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntonio Valencia, the last dance before Manchester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Ecuadorian had one of the best years of his career with the Latics during the 2008-09 season, to the point of attracting the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson. When a Wigan winger goes to Old Trafford, it means something strong happened on those Premier League pitches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilson Palacios, the Honduran revelation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis defensive midfielder, with his phenomenal work rate, established himself that season as one of the toughest and most effective players in the league. Tottenham paid a fortune to sign him in January 2009 — the best proof that \u003cstrong\u003eWigan Athletic\u003c\/strong\u003e knew how to scout and develop talent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe DW Stadium as a fortress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe 2008-09 season confirmed that \u003cstrong\u003eWigan at home\u003c\/strong\u003e was an opponent not to be taken lightly. Mid-table English teams knew that coming to the DW Stadium was rarely a walk in the park. This goalkeeper jersey embodies these tough duels, fought inch by inch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs. Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003evintage authentic jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is not a copy from a digital printer. It's the piece worn — or at least identical to that worn — by the actual players in these matches. The materials, the finishes, the heat-pressed or embroidered flocking of the era: everything speaks of a football before fast fashion, before limited editions in 47 colorways per season. \u003cstrong\u003eChampion\u003c\/strong\u003e, a historic American-European kit manufacturer, offered cuts and fabrics that had their own identity, recognizable among a thousand by informed collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003elong-sleeved goalkeeper jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is in 9\/10 condition — which, for a piece from 2008-09, concretely means it has gone through fifteen years without losing its soul or physical integrity. The \u003cstrong\u003eJJB Sports\u003c\/strong\u003e sponsor is visible and intact, the seams hold, and the whole exudes that characteristic solidity of Champion productions from that generation. A copy in this condition is precisely what collectors are looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage size guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eWarning, a critical point for any purchase of a \u003cstrong\u003evintage jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e: sizes from that era do not correspond to current standards. A \u003cstrong\u003eL Boys\u003c\/strong\u003e from 2008 by Champion is cut according to the body types of fifteen years ago, with often more fitted cuts and different measurements than today's major brands. Never rely solely on the label without checking the actual measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe correct method: take a jersey you wear regularly and compare its flat measurements — shoulder to shoulder width, total length, chest circumference divided by two. These are the numbers that matter, not the sizes marked on the label. For a \u003cstrong\u003eChampion goalkeeper collector's jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e in boys' L, it will typically be a piece suitable for a slim child or teenager — to be checked according to the precise measurements available in store.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy you should have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWigan Athletic\u003c\/strong\u003e remains one of the most under-represented clubs in vintage jersey collections, even though its recent history is absolutely crazy — from the third division to the Premier League in a few years, then an \u003cstrong\u003eFA Cup win in 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e which remains one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history. Jerseys from this Champion era with \u003cstrong\u003eJJB Sports\u003c\/strong\u003e sponsorship are rare on the market, especially in a long-sleeved goalkeeper version, and even more so in boys' sizes. It's a combination that's not easily found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThere aren't many in this condition on the market — a 9\/10 for a fifteen-year-old goalkeeper jersey is not the norm. Goalkeeper jerseys generally undergo more stress than outfield jerseys: long sleeves wear out, cuffs fray, seams give way. This one has withstood all of that. For a collector who wants to represent the \u003cstrong\u003e2000s Premier League\u003c\/strong\u003e with off-the-beaten-path pieces, this is exactly the kind of item that makes a difference in a collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wigan_Athletic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWigan Athletic - Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive - History of jerseys\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA - European football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eIf you're looking for a jersey that truly stands out in your vintage Premier League collection, a Champion goalkeeper jersey from Wigan with the JJB Sports logo intact at 9\/10 — you know what you have to do.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wigan Athletic","offers":[{"title":"L. GIRLS","offer_id":54011616690451,"sku":"306502","price":19.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_2008-09-WIGAN-ATHLETIC-GK-LONGSLEEVE-SHIRT-L-BOYS-306502_1.jpg?v=1775491712","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/2008-09-wigan-athletic-gk-longsleeve-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}