INTERVIEW : AL JUGELA
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF . (NAME,SURNAME,LOCATION,SOCIAL MEDIA ALIAS NAME/ALSO WORDS ABOUT YOUR PROJECT)
Al Jugela, South Carolina, USA. I collect more than 500 players whom I believe were among the best of their eras and/or countries from the inception of the game through modern days.
2. WHEN DID YOU START COLLECTING AND HOW/WHY?
I started collecting soccer stickers and cards around 2008 as I have always love the sport (and played it as well). My other collecting interests were nearing and "end" (nearly complete), so it was a natural progression for my collecting.
3. WHAT ARE YOUR MOST VALUABLE ITEMS ? NAME ONE WITH SENTIMENTAL VALUE AND ONE WITH MONEY VALUE.
I would surmise that my Pele Rookie collection would be the most "valuable" in terms of monetary value as it includes two rare 1957 "rookie" stickers (A. American and O&B) as well as a PSA 8.5 Alifabolaget. Probably the sticker with the most sentimental value is probably my Di Stefano Crack sticker from 1950 (playing with Millionarios in Columbia as part of "la ballet azul" that I believed should have existed for years and finally found a copy in 2023.
4. HOW MUCH DO YOU SPEND IN STICKERS/CARDS WEEKLY/MONTHLY/YEARLY ?
It varies greatly depending on what is available. I have spent literally nothing during one month and tens of thousands of dollars in another month.
5. WHICH TEAM DO YOU SUPPORT ?
Barcelona from a club perspective (I lived there for a year while in college and remember the incredible 1992 European Cup victory). I typically root for USA, Mexico, Canada and Argentina in the World Cup competitions.
6. NAME YOUR FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM, TIK TOK AND X(TWITTER) ACCOUNTS, BESIDES YOURS !
I really am only on Instagram where I love the accounts of: collectfutbol, seb_cards, champvanderford, nills1010 and raffacardscalcio to name a few
7. HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE "HOBBY" ?
I feel like the "hobby" has a bright future , especially with respect to soccer. The global scope of the game and growth in the USA and Asia seems to put collecting poised for health growth over time. I have noticed a lot more interest in players "not named" Pele, Maradona, Messi or Ronaldo over the past couple of years and a significant increase in interest in vintage players as well. With the expanded World Cup field and another World Cup to be held in the USA, I think that thing look very good for interest in the hobby.
8. DID YOU EVER TAKE PART IN ANY FOOTBALL STICKERS/CARDS FAIR ? IF YES, WHICH ONE ? DO YOU HAVE A FAIR YOU REALLY WANT TO GO TO ?
Yes. I had a table with Bill (IG: vintagesoccerdiscord & collectfutbol) at SOCO last year which is a Soccer Only event that was held at the same time as the National Sports card show in the USA (the largest show in North America). It was the first year of a soccer only show and it was a great success. We will do it again this year in Chicago.
9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BRAND (PANINI/TOPPS/UPPER DECK/ETC.) ? AND COLLECTION ?
Probably Panini of these options due to the lineage of the collections, but most of my collection are vintage regional issues which are none of these brands.
10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF STICKERSONE.COM ?
It is a great and ever expanding database of sticker albums from around the world with the FULL checklists that is incredible helpful for set collectors!
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@elrey_collection
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elrey_collection/
Actually Soccer