Imagine holding the entire Premier League in your palm—not metaphorically, but quite literally. That's what Corinthians brought to life in the mid-1990s, creating a revolution in football collectibles that would span more than a decade and capture the hearts of fans worldwide. The year was 1996, and football was indeed coming home to England. As Euro 96 fever gripped the nation, a small company unleashed something unprecedented: perfectly sculpted 3-inch figures of the England squad. These weren't your ordinary toys—each bore an uncanny resemblance to its real-life counterpart, from David Seaman's distinctive moustache to Alan Shearer's characteristic goal celebration pose. What set these figures apart wasn't just their remarkable attention to detail. Every miniature footballer wore meticulously painted kit details, down to the tiniest sponsor's logo. The badges on their chests gleamed with pride, and the numbers on their backs were exactly as you'd see them on match day. Some collectors swear they could spot Gazza's cheeky grin from across a room. However, the world of miniatures was not without its challenges. Controversies erupted over certain sculpts—was that really meant to be Ryan Giggs? And why did some players look more robust than their real-life counterparts? These quirks only added to their charm, sparking passionate debates in playgrounds and pubs alike. The phenomenon grew faster than anyone could have predicted. From that initial England squad of sixteen figures, the Corinthians empire expanded to encompass more than 150 teams and 5,000 players. For serious collectors, limited editions became the ultimate prize, and fans would queue outside shops on release days for variant kits and special releases. For many, these figures weren't merely toys—they were time capsules, each one capturing a moment in football history. Whether it was the '98 World Cup winners or that iconic Manchester United treble-winning squad, Corinthians preserved these teams in perfect, pocket-sized perpetuity. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Publisher: Buy AccessoriesConker Editions Published: April 30, 2025 Price: £15 Paperback: 212 pages ISBN-10: 1068700904 ISBN-13: 978-1068700903 Dimensions: 149 × 105 (mm)
