A Love for Vitesse’s Colors and Legends

Marco Seijnaeve, known as Vitessecollector, fell in love with football shirts for their vibrant connection to his favorite team.

“The colors and fabric of your favorite team! The feeling of holding something your legends carried on the pitch,” he says.

His passion for Vitesse, the Dutch club from Arnhem, sparked a collection that began in 1997 and now exceeds 200 jerseys. Marco is on a mission to hunt down older kits, driven by the emotional pull of wearing the same designs as Vitesse’s heroes.

Favorites Tied to History and Heroes

Choosing a favorite shirt is a challenge for Marco, with several standing out. He treasures kits worn by club legends like Guram Kashia, as well as those linked to stars like Martin Ødegaard and Mason Mount, who played for Vitesse on loan.

The Bukhta jersey with the RTL sponsor and the kit from Vitesse’s historic 2017 KNVB Cup final - the club’s first major trophy - are also cherished.

“It’s so hard to choose,” he admits, each shirt representing a unique chapter in Vitesse’s story and his own fandom.

A Rare Bukhta Gem

Marco’s most valuable and rare piece is a 1991 Bukhta RTL4 Vitesse jersey.

“It’s a piece of club history,” he says, highlighting its scarcity and significance from an era before modern commercialization.

This early 90s kit, with its distinctive sponsor, is a prized artifact in his collection, embodying Vitesse’s heritage and Marco’s dedication to preserving it.

Vitesse, Always and Only

Marco’s collection is exclusively focused on Vitesse, his lifelong team.

“It’s my team, and we died and rose again this year, but we stood up and are fighting,” he says, referencing the club’s resilience amid challenges like financial struggles.

His loyalty drives him to collect every Vitesse kit from 1997 onward, with a particular passion for older designs that capture the club’s spirit and the players who defined it.

Returning Kits to Legends

One of Marco’s most memorable experiences was bringing Vitesse kits back to former players Orlando Trustfull and Hesdey Suart.

“It was special to share these jerseys with them,” he recalls, a moment that bridged his collection with the club’s living history. These interactions highlight the personal connections that collecting fosters, making each shirt a link to Vitesse’s past and its heroes.

Building Connections, Not Just Collections

Marco sources his shirts through a wide network of collectors, using Instagram, online marketplaces, and personal contacts.

“Making a lot of connections and enjoying others’ collections is so much more fun,” he says. His tip for new collectors? “Collect together - it’s about the community.”

To authenticate, he relies on knowledge gained from videos and meticulous checks of details like tags and stitching. If a fake slips through, he accepts the loss as a lesson, emphasizing honesty and persistence in the hunt.

Overcoming Selfish Collectors

The biggest challenge Marco faces is navigating collectors who promise help but prioritize their own interests.

“A lot of them are only doing things for themselves,” he notes. His lesson? “Focus on your own and help others.”

This ethos has shaped his approach, building genuine connections that enhance his collection and the broader Vitesse collecting community.

Preserving Vitesse’s Legacy

Marco stores his jerseys in a dry, low-sunlight space, hanging them with ample room to maintain their condition.

“I give them enough space,” he says, ensuring treasures like the 1991 Bukhta kit remain pristine.

His careful preservation reflects his commitment to honoring Vitesse’s history, keeping each shirt ready for display or to wear with pride.

Wisdom for New Collectors

Marco’s advice is grounded in passion and practicality:

“Make sure you have enough money, and do it because you like it, not to feel important.” He encourages collectors to focus on what they love, whether it’s a single club like Vitesse or a broader theme, and to savor the journey over chasing status.

His own collection, built on love for Vitesse, shows how meaningful a focused passion can be.

A Yellow and Black Legacy

Marco’s @vitessecollector is a vibrant tributes to Vitesse’s yellow and black.

With over 200 shirts, from the rare 1991 Bukhta RTL4 kit to those of legends like Kashia and Ødegaard, Marco’s collection captures the club’s heart and resilience. Through community connections and moments like returning kits to players, he reminds us that football shirts are more than fabric - they’re a celebration of loyalty, history, and the beautiful game.

Stay tuned for more from our Collectors Series Blog, where we’ll uncover the next chapter of football shirt stories. Ready to start your own collection or verify a kit?

Visit KitLegit for authentic shirts and expert authentication. Follow Marco’s journey on @vitessecollector and share your own shirt story in the comments below!

Photo credit @jacobsfotografie.