Barnes, Liverpool away

A big test of the 'blog post team loses' theory today!

Liverpool are having an amazing season so far! I wouldn't go as far as saying I want them to lose, but I do want the title race to stay interesting!! 

On the flip side, last time Liverpool won the top flight, Leeds won the second tier, and were top division champions within 2 years!!

Anyway, here's John Barnes! 

I loved how this turned out! I thought it was a good, accurate representation of the kit, with the colours looking bang on.

I struggled quite a lot with the black adidas stripes in the middle of the shirt... it just seemed there were so many angles to consider, and get right!! Not sure if it was just me having a block!

I'd be interested to know what any other repainters think, if they've tried it.

Last Juve repaints for a while!

With overseas teams, I find it harder to know the chronology of the kits, unless it's really obvious!

With that in mind, here are the last of the Juve photos I've been stockpiling... in shirt number order!

I do like the traditional colours on repaints. The yellow numbers are pretty tricky to do, due to technicalities I can't really be bothered going into right now; suffice to say, I ended up painting in the middle black stripe, if I remember rightly!

That's it for Juve figures at this point, tho I do have Moncao, Atletico, Barcelona, Real and loads of South American club team repaint photos ready to add to the blog in due course!

Kidd, Sheffield United Assistant Manager

Well, it's time to put the 'whichever team I post loses that day' theory to the test again. 

I've had a look at the closest teams to Leeds in the league, and unfortunately, I don't have any new Norwich or WBA figures so sorry SUFC; it's you again!!

Brian Kidd was an assistant manager at Sheffield United for a while... I want to say under Brian Robson?!

I quite enjoy a coach repaint these days! The first one I ever did was Kidd at Leeds, but I have done some remodelled ones recently as well, in both Pro and Microstar form!

This one was quite nice and simple. I think the thin red stripes are what really make it work, And the club crest of course, which, depending on the body pose can be a bit of a squeeze on the upper body of some manager/coach figures, but is fine on this one.

Wow... there are a lot of hyperlinks in this post!!

Ian Wright: Just Done It!

Recently, I did an Arsenal remodel!

It was a bit of a strange one, as it actually covered up the face of the figure; surely the main feature of a Corinthian figure. But, I was pleased with it, and I think it worked!

Here it is:

For those of you wondering what on earth this is, it is the way that Arsenal legend Ian Wright celebrated the milestone of breaking the all time goal record at Highbury; pulling his shirt over his head to reveal a vest saying: 179 Just done it!

I felt it would be a remodel within my skillset(!) and just fancied having a bit of an experiment, and this is the result!

If you fancy watching a YouTube video of it being made, as well as some of my musings about the figure, click here.

If you fancy bidding on it on eBay, click here!! (Disclaimer: if you're reading this more than a week after this blog post is made, it probably won't work!) 

Some Sheffield United Goalies

Here are two goalkeepers that a lot of people probably won't remember playing for Sheffield United!

As far as I'm aware, they are the only manufactured goalkeeper figures that did play for them.

Segers had a loan spell at Bramall Lane in the 1980s. I couldn't even find a picture of him in Sheff United kit! 

In the end, I just found a team photo from the correct season, and used the one from there! 

I don't know why, but I quite enjoy mixing a light grey for a kit!!

Segers made 10 appearanced for the Blades in this time. Mind you, he looks like a stalwart compared to Richard Wright!!

Wright signed up in 2010, but only stayed with the club for 4 months. He had a bad time with injuries, and only managed 2 starts. He didn't even manage to finish either game.

Two pretty plain kits here; it's hard to even see the grey trim on Wright's kit.

Barton, Derby

Let's carry on with the "should've posted this yesterday but in the end it didn't matter because they dropped points anyway" theme!

Derby County aka Frank Lampard's Derby County played Forest, and as you know I love up to date repaints...

Here's Warren Barton, who played for Derby in the early 2000s. I think he may have even captained them for a while.

This figure wasn't requested; I just did it for kicks, and ended up selling it on eBay.

If you want to watch a video of me discussing the batch of repaints that this was a part of, click here!

2 Versions of Ferdinand, Bolton

I was going to do this post on Saturday, but never got round to it. 

The reason I was going to do this on Saturday was that I've noticed something of a trend that, when I post pics of s team the day they are playing, they tend to go on and lose.

Fortunately, they lost anyway, and my beloved Leeds made it 5 wins in a row!

But I thought I wouldn't deprive you of these Bolton Ferdinands any longer anyway!

A fairly straightforward kit! I added a few more details to the VI figure, such as the Reebok logo, and BWFC on the socks.

I tend to leave some of these details off the corinthians for a few reasons- it makes them more similar to the originals, and the shirt can look a bit overcrowded with them all on being the main ones.

I have added them in the past when requested tho!

Cudicini, Spurs

My mantra for life has always been: "Don't know what to blog about? Stick up a picture of Carlo Cudicini in an orange kit!"

It's never really come in useful before, but today, it's a really valuable nugget of wisdom!

So here he is!

I really like this one! I'm not certain, but I think it could also be the first time that I did a bit of colour mixing on the shirt. ( the grey bits) 

Pretty basic here, but it's something that I have developed and used since, including on what is possibly my best ever figure.

Anyway, happy Wednesday. Remember my advice in the future!

Man City away Tonkas

Mid-week Premier League games; it must be nearly Christmas!

I've had a look down the fixture list, and decided that Man City figures are the way to go for today. Here are a couple of Tonkas:

They certainly had some lively kits in the the 90s, didn't they?!

I really enjoyed doing the maroon-y one!

As ever, note the correct number fonts!

Leeds Testimonial Microstars.

Many of you will know that I started repainting to improve my own collection of figures. Being as I started doing this almost 6 years ago, I'm starting to run out of figures to do (barring duplicates in different kits, of course)

As a result, I've started reaching!! If you follow this blog closely, you'll know I've done trialists and even youth players before.

Well, here are a couple of players who featured in testimonials!

Michel Platini played for the Leeds XI in the John Charles/Bobby Collins testimonial in the 80s. So... he played in one game for Leeds, and I have 3 figures of him now!! A Prostar, a Fan Favourite, and this microstar!

Obviously this means I have done this kit before, but it was much harder to fit the shirt design, as well as the central badge and sponsor onto a microstar body!!

Gazza featured in the Don Revie International XI in the Don's testimonial game, also in the 1980s. He made a bit of a star turn, by all accounts, scoring a backheel goal past Leeds guest goalkeeper, Peter Shilton... Shilton in a Leeds kit you say...

*makes bid for Shilton figure on ebay* 

Absolutely love how this repaint came out!

Ferguson, Everton Cup Final

I've been well up for remodels recently!!

I've just finished a pretty cool Ian Wright one (if you want, you can watch a YouTube video about it by clicking here) and have ideas for 2 more definites in the near future! 

Any suggestions, stick 'em in the comments!!

Anyway, here's one of the first remodels I did. It's pretty basic, but you've got to start somewhere!

Duncan Ferguson famously donned a blue nose after Everton won the FA Cup, and that was all I had to make for this one!! If I remember rightly (I made this quite a long time ago!!) I also had to change the sponsor on the shirt, as this figure was made in the next season's kit... which was the same apart from the sponsor!

Larsson, Celtic

Thursday= Europa League night. Celtic are in the Europa League.

How about a Henrik Larsson repaint?!

Here he is, post dreadlocks!

I really like how distinctive Celtic repaints are. 

This shirt design had a white space for the name and number. Ideally, I would have liked to fit the bottom green stripe in as well, but didn't want to make the name and number too small. 

I could've moved it up, but then I would've lost the top stripe! Never mind- the buyer was happy enough with it!

... This might also be a 'head swap' figure: I can't remember! One of my regulars often does the head swaps before sending them to me; I guess he likes some body poses/ specific short or long sleeves etc for specific players.

Sheffield United 96-97

I've said a few times that repainting has taught me about which clubs players have played for.

Here are a couple of Sheffield United players; one that I knew about in the deep recesses of my mind, and one that I didn't have a clue about!! (Not in that order... it has to be shirt number order of course!)

Oh, also... I have sometimes found that when I post figures of a team the day they are playing, they lose.

So... anything to give Leeds an edge in the race for promotion!!

McGrath, Ireland

So, Ireland have just appointed a new (old?!) manager!

Seems as good a time as any for me to post this picture:

I bet Mick wishes he had someone of this quality to pick in the middle of his defense!!

A fairly simple repaint, all things considered. I seem to have had a glut of kits with Adidas stripes recently, which is fine... but can be a little time consuming.

I pointed out on my Facebook page that, if Adidas had chosen to use 2 stripes instead of 3 in their branding, I'd be 33% more productive!

A noteworthy point (to me, anyway!!) Paul McGrath actually wore number 7 during Italia '90, but the buyer preferred to go with the traditional number 5 for this figure.

And isn't that number font and absolute beauty!

Francis, QPR

I've done a few remodels recently!

What I've found is that, however many remodels I plan on doing, I usually end up with twice as many! (This being a result of the fact that most managers/coaches were players once, and I don't like to waste things!)

After explaining all that, though, this one wasn't just the result of using the manager's body and being left with a spare head... as strange as that sounds. 

Anyway, a friend of mine said to me- "How come you've never made any of the great QPR players of the 70s?"

So I did!

Gerry Francis- using the head from a manager figure... and the body from Dennis Wise, if anyone cares!!

I had to darken the hair, of course, but I didn't mind that, especially as the kit didn't need much detail. My favourite part is definitely the sideburns!!

Sullivan, Leeds

It's been a bit Leeds-heavy round here recently... but it's my blog, I'll do what I like!!

Here's Neil Sullivan:

I actually painted this ages ago, but thought it was pretty relevant today.

The reason? Despite being in his mid 40s (at a guess) Sullivan may well be our best option to play in goal on Saturday. Or even at Centre-back...

Delph, Leeds

And today's tenuous link to what's going on in the world of football:

Fabian Delph is going to captain England tonight... so naturally here he is in Leeds kit!

I've actually done 2 Soccerstarz Delph Leeds figures. See?

I'm sure he'll be Fab tonight. *sniggers*

Tierney, take 2! Fulham

So, Fulham have sacked Jokanovic. A shame really, as I like a manager sticking to his principles, but not surprising, considering their form.

Anyway, you know me #FingerOnThePulse...

Of course, when I say 'finger on the pulse', I mean, here's a figure related only by the fact that it's wearing a Fulham kit.

It's actually a lookalike figure of a big Fulham fan. Perhaps a little more uniquely, this is the first lookalike figure that I've had to make twice because the original was lost on holiday! After delivery, I hasten to add!!

It did have an update though, as the first didn't have the scar on the right cheek!! So if anything, this one is better than the original!!

If you'd like a lookalike figure, for yourself or a friend, drop me a message! There's a comment box below, or my other social media contacts are in the header.

Batty, Leeds Drill top

I nearly always enjoy being asked to paint something a bit different!

And when it's Leeds United related as well, that certainly peaks my interest!!

For anyone unsure, this is the drill top that Leeds used to wear before matches in 1991-92; the title winning season. They also wore it while collecting the trophy, so I have good memories of seeing it on video from a very young age!

Luckily, the figure was already in long sleeves, so I only had to paint, rather than remodel them.

In terms of detail; the blue and white bit immediately under the yellow was the hardest, but probably the most satisfying part of this one.

The one other comment I would make is that he looks a wee bit older than Batts did in 1992!!

Difficult choice of figure for this one tho- the earlier figure of Batty did look younger, but was short sleeved and also was not as good a sculpt as this one, in my humble opinion!

Anyway, the guy who asked for it was happy, and I was too!!

Great idea for a repaint.

Ian Wright, Burnley

Ian Wright Wright Wright!

Here's my first ever Burnley figure:

To be honest, I don't know how Wright performed for Burnley; all I can tell you is that he scored 4 goals for them in 15 appearances. (Thanks Wiki!)

My favourite parts of this one are the socks, and the details round the collar.

This figure may well end up making an appearance on the excellent Big Heads on Tour Instagram account! Have a look at it by clicking here.

McManaman, Liverpool

I was watching an FA Cup programme on BT yesterday, and who should pop up, but Liverpool in this kit.

That, along with the fact that I haven't done a Liverpool blog post in a while is reason enough, as you'll know if you read often!

I always enjoy doing an interesting kit for the first time, and I was very happy with this one. I had to mix the green to get it just right (a bit darker than the usual green I use) and just look at the squad number font!! Beautiful!!

I think I am right in saying that this figure is a remodel, of sorts. A head swap, anyway, although I didn't do it myself; that's how it arrived with me.

In preparing this blog post, I noticed that it's only the 6th one featuring Liverpool figures! I found the relatively low number of orders surprising, considering the size of the club, so, Liverpool fans, if you want to overtake the likes of Forest, Sheffield United and dare I say Everton, you'd better get in touch with me and request some figures!!

Sheffield United 08/09 (Hendrie and Sun)

Big game in Sheffield tonight! So, here are a couple of United repaints:

If I'm honest, Sheffield United kits from around this era thoroughly confuse me! They seem to have the same kit... but with many different variants of the Visit Malta logo on them. There are even some that haven't made it onto historical kits!!

And then, you have to work out whether the back of the shirt is striped or plain! But I did in the end!!

Lee Hendrie, and Sun Jihai, who both had fairly short spells at Bramall Lane.

If you're a Wednesday fan, thinking: "Where's the balance?!", sorry, but I don't have many Wednesday repaints!! If you want  to put that right, get in contact with me, and I'm sure we can make an arrangement!

Harris, Charlton Villa

Today seems as good a day as any for a snazzy 1990s goalkeeper kit repaint!!

This is Harris, of park team Charlton Villa! At some point in the early-to-mid 90s, this kit, as worn by Leeds United in 92-93, was their choice.

I loved painting this! Click on it to enlarge- you know you want to!

Anyway, being a park team, funnily enough, Vivid Imaginations did not manufacture a figure of Harris in his heyday. We chose this lookalike figure, then we discussed details such as the kit, shirt number, hair colour etc. We even adjusted the skin tone on this one.

If you want a figure of a friend or family member, use the contact box below, or message me on Twitter or through my Facebook page. Or even Instagram! If you're quick, I could even get it to you in time for Christmas!

Lescott, City Soccerstarz

My process for choosing which figures to blog:

*Looks to see which team I haven't posted in a while.
*Looks to see if there is any link to what's going on in football that day

So... City are playing tonight, and here's Joleon Lescott!!

And that's it!

Pretty straightforward this one. I painted it quite a long time ago too, so I can't even remember any interesting stories about doing it!

Highlight: hooped socks!

Speed, Bolton

Gary Speed: My first favourite player as a child.

I'm always happy to take on a Gary Speed repaint, even if it means painting him out of Leeds kit.

I've done him in a few different Leeds kits, as well as Sheffield United, but this was the first time as a Bolton player.

This was one of those times that a simple, straightforward paint job gave the figure a really crisp look. Sometimes less is more!

Woodham Victoria, Part 2!

Sometimes, after I've done someone in a 'park team' kit, I'll have a little spell of doing a few more, as word gets round the dressing room!

Here are the next 2 Woodham Victoria players, including one in away colours!

For both of these, the buyer suggested a figure as a lookalike, and then sent me images of the kit, so I could get the likeness perfect.

If you would like a figure of one of your Sunday league team mates, or of yourself for a treat, get in touch!! (links in the header, or contact box below)

Not sure which figure to use? No problem!! I have helped people to identify a suitable one in the past by having a look at photos of the subject! 

I'm more than happy to discuss any of this! Could make a great Christmas present!

Amokachi, Nigeria

Nigeria put in some good performances at the 1994 World Cup, if I remember rightly!

They certainly had a pair of memorable kits! I've already had an attempt at the 'Money kit' on JayJay Okocha, and here's my go at the green kit on Daniel Amokachi.

I was very pleased with this one, which had a lot to contend with!! The green and black patterns in the white part around the neck take the eye, but have a look on the collar as well, for some little green triangles, which certainly add to the whole ensemble!!

I also decided to hand-paint the number on the shorts... this may have been partly influenced by the fact that I forgot to print a decal... I think it looks good though- I was happy with my representation of the font.

...

I do find it pretty amusing that, at time of writing, all the hyperlinks I've added in the first paragraph lead to the same post! Maybe that'll change if I get more Nigeria orders... or World Cup '94 ones.

Newcastle 95-96 away... the last bit!

The final post... for now, of Newcastle's iconic mid-90s hooped away kit, and I'll even throw in the keeper kit for good measure!

I loved the challenge of painting Hislop's change kit, and have to say, I think I did a better job of it than was done on the original Corinthian version of David James!

As for the others... I think I've reached the stage where I could do this kit in my sleep!! Tho I probably shouldn't attempt that...

Newcastle aways all done... until someone else sees them and thinks: I fancy some of those!!

Leeds 04/05 Tonkas

And now it's time for the latest pair of Leeds Tonka figures!

Our first season in the Championship saw these little numbers, sponsored by Whyte and Mackay, and made by Diadora:

I remember the club making a big deal in the marketing out of the badge being in the middle! That lasted for 1 season.

I remember discussing which players to put on the back of the shirts with the guy who requested these. He basically left it to me, but we did talk about choosing players that weren't necessarily the best, but ones that sort of summed up the era... hence Gregan making the cut!!

*Unpopular opinion* I think Gregan was actually decent for us. But at centre half, not in midfield.  

Both of these players had strong Preston North End connections, of course, and this was a time we signed what seemed like loads of players from them; Eddie Lewis and Richard Cresswell also joining the ranks. (Tonkas with their names on incoming!!)

If you're a fan of this style of figure, I've also done some Man City ones that I'll be blogging soon-ish, so keep your eye out for them!

Viduka, Celtic

Loved Viduka when he was at Leeds.

Fortunately for me, this Celtic repaint request started life in a Boro kit!

Lovely!

Normally I don't go into painting technicalities much on here, but I tried a different technique on this one. 

For a sponsor like the ntl one on this figure (where it is on white, that goes over the green hoop) I'd usually just do it on a white decal, and use that to cover the hoop.

For this one though, I used white paint to make the gap, and then used a clear decal instead. Most people wouldn't notice the difference, to be honest, but I felt it gave it a crisper, cleaner look on the front, and I'll probably do the same again, for similar situations.

Hope that didn't bore you!! Or lose you completely! Maybe it'll be a useful point to someone!

Sheffield United 04/05

Sheffield United are flying high in the Championship at the moment! 

Here are a couple of repaints from their 04-05 season:

Sheffield United finished 8th that season. 

These 2 players had fairly different careers at Bramall Lane; Harley joined on loan a couple of times, before going on to sign permanently and played over 50 games for the club.

Johnson only played for them once.

Barmby, Forest

A while ago (On a Sheffield United post, I think) I said that repainting had reminded me, and sometimes taught me about loads of obscure transfers.

Speaking of which, here's Nottingham Forest's Nicky Barmby!

Other than saying I'd completely forgotten he ever played for them (though I must have known at the time, as he joined them from Leeds!) I don't have much else to add!

A pretty standard repaint, this one.

Bremner Keymen

Here are the last 2 Keymen... for the time being at least.

A couple of Leeds away kits for Billy Bremner:

If you're wondering, the side view of the first one is very much so you can see the sock tag!!

And as for the second, of all the hundreds of Leeds figures I've done; this is definitely the first red one!!

I wondered how well decals would work on diecast figures, so I used them for the badges only. The numbers (sock tabs included) are all handpainted.

I like the Keymen figures, though some are in pretty bad condition due to age. These were 2 of the ones in better nick!

Ian Walker, Two 1990 Spurs kits

Ah, the 90s. What a time for both haircuts and goalkeeper kits!

Here's a fellow that neatly brings those 2 things together: Ian Walker.

I've put the pics up in chronological order by season, but I know for a fact that I painted the bottom one first. One of the reasons; as I look at it, I know I could do a better job on it now, but it was fairly early in my repainting journey.

The top one was something of a watershed moment for me; I remember painting it at the time and thinking: If I can do the design on the front of this, there are definitely complex parts and designs that maybe I should be attempting on other shirts.

Always learning, always improving.