Interview: Jack Nightingale | Shirt Collector & Kit Community Creative | Cambridge United Fan.
Meet Jack. Jack has quite the Cambridge United shirt collection. He showcases his growing shirt collection on Instagram (@unitedinendeavour_shirts), so make sure you check him out. We thought it was time to have a catchup with him and learn a bit more about his very impressive collection and his love of the U's.
What do football shirts mean to you?
One thing that I always say about my collection in particular is that there’s a reason behind every shirt. Whether it’s the player on the back or the season it was used in, each and every shirt has its own unique meaning. I would say that memories are the main reason that I collect football shirts. To give an example, certain Cambridge shirts have been printed to replicate a famous moment, such as Ryan Donaldson’s free kick in the Play-Off Final against Gateshead. So for me, when I think football shirts, I think memories!
📸 Jack And Ryan Donaldson in 2015
What is it that makes a football shirt so special?
The shirt itself doesn’t need to be flashy or the most beautiful. For me, the period of which it was worn in and as mentioned previously, the memories created in the shirt are of much greater importance to me personally. I think that the most special shirts that I own all have experiences associated with them. Earlier this year, I travelled to watch Borehamwood play against Dorking Wanderers with the aim of meeting one of my all time favourite Cambridge players, Kwesi Appiah. He was kind enough to sign a Cambridge shirt I had purchased and had a lovely conversation about his time at Cambridge with myself and my Dad. These are the moments I’ll never ever forget and that is for sure one of the most special Cambridge shirts in my collection.
📸 Jack and Kwesi Appiah in 2025
Do you remember your first shirt?
I do not actually remember wearing my first shirt! I have had a Cambridge United season ticket since I was 6 weeks old, but my first shirt is from this very season. Fittingly, I purchased an adult version of this shirt signed by some members of the squad from Football Finery, and they now sit together as a pair, honouring the start of my journey in football shirt collecting! The first shirt I can actively remember is our 2013-14 Home Shirt. It is my favourite Cambridge shirt ever, the best squad, the best season and most importantly, the best memories! There is an excellent photo of me and U’s fan favourite Liam Hughes at Wembley celebrating our promotion, with me wearing that particular shirt!
📸 Jack and Liam Hughes in 2014
What is your favourite era of shirts?
For me, all 5 of our shirts over the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons will be my favourite era of shirts. Trips to Wembley, famous cup ties and yet more unforgettable players, I will never ever forget this wonderful era and it is going to take some beating! Even excluding Cambridge shirts, I would still say this is my favourite era for shirts, when Barcelona had Messi, Suarez and Neymar, dominating world football!
How many shirts do you have in your collection?
I have just under 50 Cambridge shirts and 10 other shirts, mainly acquired through my travels! There is a clear shirt that stands out for me, and it is worn by someone I have idolised since the age of 5. I have been incredibly lucky to form relationships with certain Cambridge players over the years, something that I am so very grateful for. My family and I have kept in regular contact with former U’s striker Tom Elliott over the years, and in 2022, 7 years after he left Cambridge for AFC Wimbledon, we were lucky enough to go and watch him play against nearby Stevenage for Bradford City. After the match, Tom was kind enough to give me his match worn shirt. Not just for the player that he was, but for the person he is, Tom has inspired me in all walks of life. The time and effort which he has shown my family over the years is something that I am forever grateful for and I will never forget. Thank you to Tom for everything that he has done for me and for my family, truly the best!
Do you remember your first United game?
I don’t actually remember my first game as I was very very young! For sure, my first memories of United come in the during the 2013-14 season. First trips to Wembley, first big win, first away day and first promotion. All so very special to me and if we’re talking shirts, I would love to acquire some more match worn shirts from this year in particular.
What is it that hooked you to Cambridge United?
My family are all U’s supporters, so I was never not going to support United! But I think growing up, when we were in Non-League, you would see the players around the ground or in the local gym and therefore I had a lot of exposure as a young boy to people who are now my heroes! So I think ultimately, growing up, going to games and getting to know players is what got me hooked!
📸 Jack's first ever Cambridge United shirt from the 2007/08 season
Do you have a moment from following Cambridge United that you’ll never forget?
This is going to sound quite crazy, as I was only 6 at the time, but I actually remember the goal that sent us back to the promised land of the football league - THAT Ryan Donaldson free kick at Wembley. Our seats situated near the halfway line, my family all had a great view of the goal. We were all thinking 'he’s too far out, no chance he'll score'. Up step Ryan Donaldson, scoring what is arguably the most important goal in our history, curling a free kick over the wall and into the bottom corner. That team, that season, that moment, it’ll never be topped!