Vintage Premier League year will improve with age, say connoisseurs

THIS YEAR’S rich, fruity Premier League season could yet improve even further if experts are to be believed. Already widely celebrated by critics and heavy consumers of football, the 2009/10 season may not peak in quality until 2017.

“It has been an exceptionally complex season with notes of fight for fourth place, Burnley and a strong after-taste of goals,” said Wilber Staunton, the editor of the Good Season Guide.

“While it is tempting to dip straight into your Match Annual and have a good read of Clint Dempsey’s player profile, we advise caution because the 09/10 vintage will only get better in years to come.”

The new edition of Staunton’s guide recommends football fans lay down all memorabilia from this season in an oak casket at ambient temperature in order to fully appreciate the campaign’s hidden subtleties in years to come.

“While we can all enjoy Birmingham’s early season form and Roy Hodgson’s lisp, in seven years time there will be even more to savour,” said Staunton. “You’ll be able to get nostalgic for the brief time Mark Hughes managed a club with good players or admire the luminous yellow piping on the Chelsea away kit. It will be a much more complete experience.”

Investors have rushed to buy up 2009/10 merchandise with the hope of it increasing in value over the next decade. One foreign bidder from the Middle East paid £5k at Christie’s for a digital board signed by all the Premier League’s fourth officials, while bidding is ongoing for one of Florent Malouda’s cornrows.

Staunton added that now may be the time to finally open your 2000/01 annuals, which while by no means vintage are at least readable now, if only on an ironic level due to the haircuts.

Published May 10, 2010

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