Lifespan of football kits

Most football kits have a two year lifespan. Therefore you should check before buying when the shirt, shorts and socks will expire. For example the Chelsea home kit has an expiry date from 2006-2008. But the Chelsea away kit only has a life span of one year, from 2007-2008. Most clubs give a two year life span for both home and away kits, but Chelsea are an exception. Usually the club alternative the years the home and away kits expire. So if the home kit has a lifespan from 2002-2004, 2004-2006 and 2006-2008, then the away kit will be 2001-2003, 2003-2005 and 2005-2007.

The most expensive time to buy a kit is on the day of release, but will possible provide you with the most value for money. That's if you consider the purchase price divided by the number of days it will officially be the kit. Many unsuspecting parents get fooled by the reduced price of shirts and kits. They do not consider the lifespan of shirts, and the fact it will only have 6 months left on it's contract. So when they see a Manchester United shirt half price they think crikey what a bargain. That's until their son opens his birthday present and informs them the shirt will be replaced in a matter of months. Quite a few retailers, clubs and manufacturers do not inform perspective buyers about this fact.