✍️ EOTK Insider: Jarek Zajac - the collector with over 1,200 Liverpool autographs

A love for Liverpool FC is something many of us share but when it comes to collecting autographs of players, Jarek's commitment is something rather unique

In the age of smartphones and cameras being in the pocket of nearly everyone on the street, an interest in collecting signatures from the rich and famous has dwindled but this certainly isn’t the case for Liverpool fan, Jarek Zajac.

Speaking with Empire of the Kop, the man born in Poland has explained his love for the club and collecting.

When did you start collecting Liverpool autographs?

“I started to collect football autographs in 2000 and that was nearly same time as I started supporting Liverpool, so LFC's autographs were one of my priorities from the very beginning”.

How many autographs do you have in your collection?

“As of today, I have over 1,200 Liverpool FC-related autographs”.

If you had to pick, which is the best or your favourite in the collection?

“It's hard to pick just one but for sure autographs of Bill Shankly, Billy Liddell, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Jurgen Klopp and some multi-signed photos are among my favorites”.

Which player has signed the most items for you?

“Probably the ‘big Pole in our goal’ - Jerzy Dudek!

“As he is my fellow countryman, I was lucky enough to be able to meet him several times throughout the years”.

If you could add any signatures to your collection from players that are sadly no longer with us, who would you pick?

“They all passed away a long time before I was born but I'd love to add Tom Bromilow, Harry Chambers, Donald McKinlay, Sam Raybould and Alex Raisbeck to my collection”.

How do you get your autographs?

“I get autographs in some different ways: by sending autograph requests through the mail, in person, through exchanging with other collectors and, mainly for the older autographs which I can't get in any other way, by purchasing them online”.

How often do you come to Liverpool to get autographs?

“I was lucky to visit Liverpool twice; in 2015 and 2017.

“I spent time in the city getting autographs, sightseeing and I was also able to attend the 3-1 victory against Arsenal at Anfield in March 2017.

“As a supporter from Poland, unfortunately I have only been able to attend one game so far but it was something really special and unforgettable for me, it was really great!”

Where do you keep all the autographs?

“I store all of my autographs in binders in my home”.

What's the oldest autograph that you have?

“The oldest autographs I have, I believe come from around the 1910’s or 1920’s”.

Which members of the current squad do you have?

“From the current squad I have Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibou Konate, Harvey Elliott, Mo Salah and a few others but not too many on pictures in Liverpool jerseys unfortunately.

“Salah's autograph is on an official card from Basel, Diogo Jota signed for me in person when he was a player of FC Porto too.

“I'd love to meet the current team and ask them to sign some photos in my collection, but it's not that easy”.

What would be the dream thing for you to get signed in the future?

“My dream is to meet the whole first team squad and to be able to get autographs from all of them.

“I hope one day that someone from the club would be able to allow me to make that dream come true”.

It’s a truly unique collection that spans many generations of Liverpool’s illustrious history and shows the fanatical side of our fanbase, all around the world.

If you’re interested in learning more about Jarek’s story, he shares parts of his ever-growing collection on his Facebook and Instagram pages.

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