Simon Francis lives in Devon with a 79‑ball collection of Mitre footballs, each a snapshot of the brand’s history.

He began the display 12 years ago after spotting the iconic Mitre set on *Soccer AM*. The sight of the multiple‑arrowed design triggered a childhood love that grew into a passion for collecting.

Francis acquires balls through online auctions, charity shops and fairs, usually paying about £50 per piece – some as low as £10, others as high as £100. In 2024 a buyer offered him £12,000 for the entire set, a figure that made him pause.

Despite the tempting offer, he says the true value lies in the time and effort invested. His favorites include the 1992 Premier League ball, the Mitre Pro‑Max, and the signed Mitre Elite from a 1996 Norwich match. He’s not finished yet and plans to keep expanding his museum of football history.