Signed merchandise policy....

[Torrix1889]

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/signed-merchandise-policy/

Sounds a bit OTT to me...OK I get it as far as people getting stuff signed purely to sell on to make some money but are they going to go as far as to refuse to sign my little lads programme outside the players entrance?

SUFC starting to get a bit billy big bollocks if you ask me!

 

[Rodders]

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/signed-merchandise-policy/

Sounds a bit OTT to me...OK I get it as far as people getting stuff signed purely to sell on to make some money but are they going to go as far as to refuse to sign my little lads programme outside the players entrance?

SUFC starting to get a bit billy big bollocks if you ask me!

From reading it, it looks as though they're referring to stopping requests coming into the Club - but tbf the younger generation are more about selfies anyway now - the autograph book is dying out!

 

[mattbianco1]

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/signed-merchandise-policy/

Sounds a bit OTT to me...OK I get it as far as people getting stuff signed purely to sell on to make some money but are they going to go as far as to refuse to sign my little lads programme outside the players entrance?

SUFC starting to get a bit billy big bollocks if you ask me!

I imagine it is for companies, charities and sports teams etc..

"Hi, we're doing a raffle at [insert junior football club] and would like to auction a shirt off, can you get it signed please?"

That sort of request ^^

Kids with autograph books, programmes and shirts stood outside the ground are fine.

 

[Sheffsteel]

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/signed-merchandise-policy/

Sounds a bit OTT to me...OK I get it as far as people getting stuff signed purely to sell on to make some money but are they going to go as far as to refuse to sign my little lads programme outside the players entrance?

SUFC starting to get a bit billy big bollocks if you ask me!

Disagree, unfortunately it's a big money making business which is now being abused.

I was house hunting a few years ago and went to view a house in Sheffield.
The owner had signed framed photos of famous people all over his house and the spare bedroom was almost a shrine to famous people.

I asked him how come he has all this signed memorabilia in frames.
He said it started as a hobby many years ago but is now a part time business.
I asked him how did he manage to acquire so many signatures, he said he's send photos to the clubs and asked if the player will sign them and surprisingly many clubs oblige. He said its becoming more difficult now but years ago he'd send photos to loads of celebrities and many would sign and return. He laughed that sometimes the celebrities get someone else to sign so they are always 100% genuine signatures.

He said signed football memorabilia is becoming really fashionable and he could make a lot of money.

In 1977 my parents went to a dinner dance do and came back with a paper plate signed by Len Badger, it took pride and place in my bedroom for about 2 months, then I lost it ha, probably threw it in the bin by mistake.

 

[Torrix1889]

For the clickless...

From the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Sheffield United Football Club will no longer accept requests for the signing of any Club or Club related merchandise other than those that are either for one of our agreed charities or via a contractual agreement with Club Sponsors or partners.

This decision is due to an ever-growing demand by fans for signed merchandise which simply cannot be sustained.
We have also seen the value of signed merchandise donated for good causes undermined by the sheer amount of SUFC signed merchandise that is in the public domain.

We will, therefore no longer agree to sign any purchased merchandise from our Superstore or any retail or Commercial sources related to Sheffield United Football Club and those asking will be politely refused in line with this policy.

Supporters are advised that no merchandise should be left at Main Reception at Bramall Lane or brought to The Steelphalt Academy at Shirecliffe for signing.

Any items being signed on all Club premises is at the discretion of Sheffield United FC at all times.

Over the course of a season, Sheffield United Football Club periodically organise 'Meet the Player' events that are structured and allow our supporters to have items signed by the squad and management members present. Please note that the maximum number of items permitted per individual is 3 to ensure that all have a fair opportunity to get items signed.

We would politely request that no fan asks a player for their shirt. All shirts are pre-allocated to the playing squad and such, requests for them to hand over their shirts make it very awkward for players.

A number of opportunities are provided throughout the season for fans to obtain player signed shirts through auctions and raffles.

Player named shirts supplied for all charity and commercially obligated requests will be signed by the player concerned and numbered/ branded accordingly. This shirt will carry an official authenticity certificate stating when the shirt was signed with a verification moniker from either the Club Engagement Officer or the Player Liaison Officer.

If you are wanting anything signed for charitable purposes, then a request needs to be made in writing in line with the Club's 'Charities Policy'.

If an item is wanted for a special occasion a request can be made in writing to [email protected] at least a month ahead of the event. A greeting card, team poster or shirt can be purchased with a request for it to be signed by an individual player of their choice. A charge will be made for this to cover the cost of the item, postage and a donation to the Club charity fund for signage.
The cost for items are as follows:

• Greeting card - £10
• Team Poster - £15
• Home/away shirt (depending on availability) - £80

If a shirt is purchased, then it will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity ensuring that only officially approved items are leaving Sheffield United.

It is appreciated that, from time to time, exceptional circumstances may occur. In such instances the approval for such items must be gained from the Club Engagement Officer John Garrett on [email protected]
Individuals approaching individual members of staff need to be aware that all staff have been advised to politely refuse any request in the first instance and adhere to this Signed Merchandise Policy.

 

[stringer]

Disagree, unfortunately it's a big money making business which is now being abused.

I was house hunting a few years ago and went to view a house in Sheffield.
The owner had signed framed photos of famous people all over his house and the spare bedroom was almost a shrine to famous people.

I asked him how come he has all this signed memorabilia in frames.
He said it started as a hobby many years ago but his now a business.
I asked him how did he manage to acquire so many signatures, he said he's send photos to the clubs and asked if the player will sign them and surprisingly many clubs oblige. He said its becoming more difficult now but years ago he'd send photos to loads of celebrities and many would sign and return.

He said signed football memorabilia is becoming really fashionable and he could make a lot of money.

Your man will be disappointed to know probably 70% of those pics haven't been anywhere near the celebrity!

 

[Sydney Blade]

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/signed-merchandise-policy/

Sounds a bit OTT to me...OK I get it as far as people getting stuff signed purely to sell on to make some money but are they going to go as far as to refuse to sign my little lads programme outside the players entrance?

SUFC starting to get a bit billy big bollocks if you ask me!

Ridiculous, totally agree Torrix! Some people will always abuse but to suggest a blanket ban and large fees reaks of trying to monetise something which is simple, fun and already at the discretion of individual players. Just teach the players common sense (I.e. Don't sign 30 similar things for same bloke driving nice car) and leave this stuff out of long winded written position statements... just silly!

 

[shorehamview]

At a Woodseats supporter's club auction some years ago a bloke turned up who most of us didn't know. He bought all the signed shirts and shorts that were available, and someone who did know him assured us these would be on eBay and the bloke's own website before the night was over. He was correct.

Many players from several sports have been known to refuse to sign shirts and the like because they know the items will be straight on eBay. It's all about the business these days, sadly.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Your man will be disappointed to know probably 70% of those pics haven't been anywhere near the celebrity!

He did say you had to do some research to establish which signatures were genuine and which weren't but told me that even their PA's became good at forging celebrities signatures, so it wasn't so simple.

I asked him what his best, most treasured signatures were that he owned.
He replied the F1 racing driver Ayton Senna and the astronaut Neil Armstrong.

 

[stringer]

He did say you had to do some research to establish which signatures were genuine and which weren't but told me that even their PA's became good at forging celebrities signatures, so it wasn't so simple.

Yep, that's the problem. Many will also be printed, or stamped. Common when there's a load of requests

 

[Sheffsteel]

Yep, that's the problem. Many will also be printed, or stamped. Common when there's a load of requests

He did say though that there was a market for dealers buying amateur collections.

He said dealers will commonly say that most celebrity signatures are printed, stamped or forged so are almost worthless
but still offer to buy just in case one of them happens to be genuine.

He also said the trick to getting a good price is marketing. So if it's a signature on a scrap of paper, then put it with a high quality historically memorable photo in a high quality frame and someone will pay.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

He did say you had to do some research to establish which signatures were genuine and which weren't but told me that even their PA's became good at forging celebrities signatures, so it wasn't so simple.

I asked him what his best, most treasured signatures were that he owned.
He replied the F1 racing driver Ayton Senna and the astronaut Neil Armstrong.

You'll have to pass me his details. I've got a signed photo of Roger Moore and Birtt Ekland somewhere in the basement - although Danny04 now has me worrying about its authenticity....

 

[Davalon]

Your man will be disappointed to know probably 70% of those pics haven't been anywhere near the celebrity!

Too true. There's some memorabilia kicking around the North West somewhere signed by me instead of the former Premier League players it's supposed to be.

 

[Jon Bon II]

At a Woodseats supporter's club auction some years ago a bloke turned up who most of us didn't know. He bought all the signed shirts and shorts that were available, and someone who did know him assured us these would be on eBay and the bloke's own website before the night was over. He was correct.

I can just imagine the clamour for a signed pair of Scougall's shinnies and a signed photo of McNulty with THAT cardigan draped across him. Must be like a license to print money...

 

[stringer]

You'll have to pass me his details. I've got a signed photo of Roger Moore and Birtt Ekland somewhere in the basement - although Danny04 now has me worrying about its authenticity....

If they signed it in front of you, that's the best way to be sure!

 

[stringer]

Too true. There's some memorabilia kicking around the North West somewhere signed by me instead of the former Premier League players it's supposed to be.

How'd that happen?!

 

[Davalon]

For the clickless...

From the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Sheffield United Football Club will no longer accept requests for the signing of any Club or Club related merchandise other than those that are either for one of our agreed charities or via a contractual agreement with Club Sponsors or partners.

This decision is due to an ever-growing demand by fans for signed merchandise which simply cannot be sustained.
We have also seen the value of signed merchandise donated for good causes undermined by the sheer amount of SUFC signed merchandise that is in the public domain.

We will, therefore no longer agree to sign any purchased merchandise from our Superstore or any retail or Commercial sources related to Sheffield United Football Club and those asking will be politely refused in line with this policy.

Supporters are advised that no merchandise should be left at Main Reception at Bramall Lane or brought to The Steelphalt Academy at Shirecliffe for signing.

Any items being signed on all Club premises is at the discretion of Sheffield United FC at all times.

Over the course of a season, Sheffield United Football Club periodically organise 'Meet the Player' events that are structured and allow our supporters to have items signed by the squad and management members present. Please note that the maximum number of items permitted per individual is 3 to ensure that all have a fair opportunity to get items signed.

We would politely request that no fan asks a player for their shirt. All shirts are pre-allocated to the playing squad and such, requests for them to hand over their shirts make it very awkward for players.

A number of opportunities are provided throughout the season for fans to obtain player signed shirts through auctions and raffles.

Player named shirts supplied for all charity and commercially obligated requests will be signed by the player concerned and numbered/ branded accordingly. This shirt will carry an official authenticity certificate stating when the shirt was signed with a verification moniker from either the Club Engagement Officer or the Player Liaison Officer.

If you are wanting anything signed for charitable purposes, then a request needs to be made in writing in line with the Club's 'Charities Policy'.

If an item is wanted for a special occasion a request can be made in writing to [email protected] at least a month ahead of the event. A greeting card, team poster or shirt can be purchased with a request for it to be signed by an individual player of their choice. A charge will be made for this to cover the cost of the item, postage and a donation to the Club charity fund for signage.
The cost for items are as follows:

• Greeting card - £10
• Team Poster - £15
• Home/away shirt (depending on availability) - £80

If a shirt is purchased, then it will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity ensuring that only officially approved items are leaving Sheffield United.

It is appreciated that, from time to time, exceptional circumstances may occur. In such instances the approval for such items must be gained from the Club Engagement Officer John Garrett on [email protected]
Individuals approaching individual members of staff need to be aware that all staff have been advised to politely refuse any request in the first instance and adhere to this Signed Merchandise Policy.

Why charge though?

 

[Sheffsteel]

You'll have to pass me his details. I've got a signed photo of Roger Moore and Birtt Ekland somewhere in the basement - although Danny04 now has me worrying about its authenticity....

It was about 10 years ago, the bloke was quite old and presumably sold his house, so could be anywhere now.
He said he was enjoying his retirement years by earning some money from his hobby.
Found it really interesting, we talked more about his hobby than the house ha ha.
And no, we never put in an offer for his house.

 

[Davalon]

How'd that happen?!

I was asked by a former player I was a friend of to sign a shirt he had forgotten to pass around his team mates, that he needed to take to a function an hour later.

At least it was a giveaway and not being auctioned. Someone may have paid for it since though.

 

[Rodders]

Why charge though?

To stem the tide of how much they're getting through? This stuff all takes someone's time to administer; I imagine all levels of staffing at the Club are dealing with increased workloads since Promotion. Does that make it right? Possibly not, but I can't see the Club wanting to employ people to help deal with this kind of stuff.

 

[Davalon]

Hopefully most players will see sense and still sign stuff for the kids, like some of the Liverpool players have under these same circumstances.

 

[Davalon]

To stem the tide of how much they're getting through? This stuff all takes someone's time to administer; I imagine all levels of staffing at the Club are dealing with increased workloads since Promotion. Does that make it right? Possibly not, but I can't see the Club wanting to employ people to help deal with this kind of stuff.

Mmm. Either do it or don't imho.

 

[SwissBlade]

WE ARE BIG TIME

 

[stringer]

£80 for a signed shirt includes the cost of the shirt itself, £45, plus postage & packing at six or seven quid, maybe. So £28/30 for the actual signatures, which looks like it goes to charity anyway. Can't say that sounds particularly outrageous

 

[CarlingBlade]

I used to work at a hotel, slightly different, however we used to get 10 letters per week from different charity events requesting donations, rooms, spa vouchers, meals etc, it's hard to turn these people down as you want to do the right thing, however if you donated to all you might as well throw profits down the drain.

I can only imagine the Blades and inundated with requests for signed merchandise, bringing a structure to the process makes sense and there's a bit of a difference between little Johnny asking for a autograph and Mr Big Bollocks with x50 photos he wants signing to flog on EBay for his own profit, thus devaluing the cost of a charity item.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

If they signed it in front of you, that's the best way to be sure!

Jees mate - if I'd ever met Roger Moore AND Britt Ekland I think I'd have spontaneously combusted...

 

[stringer]

Jees mate - if I'd ever met Roger Moore AND Britt Ekland I think I'd have spontaneously combusted...

You never know

Plus I always thought your username was a homage to United's No.1 goalkeeper, rather than the former Bond!

 

[Foxy]

As is often the case, people taking the piss and ripping off others will have been one of the causes of this. Which just makes it very difficult for those who don't.

Sadly, this season and recent promotion will bring out some of the worst in people.

 

[raimond]

I agree on 1st reading it sounds like over the top bollocks, all a bit Man U and players refusing autographs etc etc.

But I reckon like others have said, it's fair enough. We must get inundated & you'd think last season it probably reached daft proportions, there probably hadn't been quite so many requests to Adkins, Hammond and the like.

On top of that, aye, you've got the eBay types who are as bad as ticket touts, and take shirts etc which'd be the pride & joy on kids' walls, pathetic.

I can't see a single Blades player turning down a single kid's autograph, it's just a policy. But aye, mebbe we've seen the last of Harry Bassett stripped down to his y fronts on the last day of the season. May be for't best.

 

[Foxy]

I think people are reading this incorrectly and reading a bit too much into it...

Basically, people take the piss with people willing to do favours and to an extent this also provides a vehicle for people to rip off others to make a few quid, rather than having a treasured memento.
I wouldn't have thought it's the greatest jump to assume that this has reached breaking point or that the new COO has noticed how ridiculous/time consuming this is.

There will be a mass of charity requests continually (we get plenty of begging letters as a not-for-profit fan site, run by supporters!), loads of people wanting stuff signing for their own collections along with a decent number of people getting stuff to eBay/sell on (ever stand in the car park before the match during our last Premiership season?).

I know from speaking to people at the Lane how ridiculous this has got in recent times, so I'm assuming something has to be done to put a lid on it, if that's putting people off with costs or having to put some effort in, fair enough... Annoying, but as usual, the people who take the piss spoil it for everyone else.

If anyone thinks the players will be refusing to sign items sensibly requested of them at the appropriate times, I think they'll be far from the truth and that the manager is the kind to ensure they take the responsibility of connecting with the fans seriously.