Collecting signed football shirts is not just about owning a rare item. For serious collectors, proof of authenticity is everything. At Walkouts, we know that trust is the foundation of any meaningful collection, which is why our process goes far beyond a simple certificate of authenticity.
Why authenticity matters to collectors
The football memorabilia market is thriving, but it is also flooded with counterfeits. A single doubt about a signature can reduce a shirt’s value to nothing. To a collector, the magic disappears the moment authenticity is in question.
Paul de Metter, founder of Walkouts, explains:
“I know the feeling of looking at a piece, thinking it is authentic, and looking at the same piece when knowing it is not. To a collector it loses all the value, magic and connection. We want collectors to be sure about their pieces and try to avoid this feeling at any cost.”
This emotional dimension is what sets true collectors apart. Authenticity is not just about financial value, it is about maintaining the connection to a player, a match, or a historic moment.
How Walkouts builds trust
Every signed shirt in our store comes with transparent documentation. We provide Certificates of Authenticity, provenance details, and signing proof when available. For global superstars, where direct signing sessions are rare, we work with trusted authentication partners who analyze signatures against dozens of verified examples.
This layered approach means collectors get multiple levels of assurance. It is never just a piece of paper. It is evidence, sourcing, and context that together establish credibility.
Going beyond COAs
A COA is valuable, but on its own it is not enough. Paul reflects on this from his own experience as a collector:
“We started as collectors ourselves and learned that a COA is not definitive proof, as most people think. Coming from collecting archaeological pieces and antiques—that is an even tougher business—we apply those lessons to football memorabilia. We want to provide our buyers with as much certainty as possible.”
Walkouts takes this seriously. When no photo or video proof is available, the provenance of the item becomes crucial. Suppliers are vetted rigorously, and items without credible sourcing do not make it into our collection.
Signing sessions and provenance
Whenever possible, Walkouts arranges direct signing sessions with players. During these events, each item is individually photographed, creating ironclad provenance. This is the highest standard of proof in the memorabilia world, because it ties the player directly to the signed piece in a transparent way.
Paul elaborates:
“We are always looking for photo and video proof when possible, with the exact signature match on it. When no photo or video proof is available, just the COA, we always go for provenance of the item that needs to be reliable. Additionally, we have signing sessions with players themselves, which is always the best proof you can get.”
For collectors, this matters. A shirt authenticated through such a process not only retains financial value but also keeps its emotional weight intact.
Why it matters for long-term collecting
Authenticity is not just a defensive measure to avoid fakes. It is the key to long-term collecting. A verified shirt will hold and even increase in value as part of a curated collection. More importantly, it will remain a credible story—one that can be passed down to future generations of collectors.
“We have set the highest standard in the market for ourselves,” says Paul. “From signature proof and authentication to provenance and grading, we make sure every item is backed by as much data as possible.”
At Walkouts, authenticity is not an add-on. It is our promise and our standard.