A personal exploration into the beauty and burden of nostalgia.

When you’ve spent decades collecting mementos of something you love, you don’t think there’ll be a day when you let it all go. But with 2020 providing us all with the ultimate opportunity to take stock and reprioritise, I knew it was time to cut 30 years of football memorabilia loose.

But Project Restart is far from a goodbye.

Firstly, it’s a place I can come to dive back into my memorabilia whenever I’m feeling nostalgic. A new way of bringing back memories of childhood heroes, classic kits, away-day adventures, and the many beers (and tears) along the way.

Next, it’s doing some good. I auctioned items to provide new kit and equipment for my old school team. And I’ve donated the rest to The Sporting Memories Foundation and Football Memories Scotland who have regular meets to help people living with dementia, depression, and loneliness unlock sporting memories.

And finally, it’s a celebratory and fitting closure for me. I’ve now got some space — both physically and emotionally — to throw myself into new experiences, whatever they may be.

Who knows what memories and mementos the next 30 years will bring?

✼ ✼ ✼ ✼ ✼

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Annabel & Sam Grady – generous with both their time and talents. Thank you.