Book store turns 'swap shop' for World Cup sticker collectors
They've become the must have accessories for both young and old.
Panini World Cup sticker albums, which have had had collectors going crazy trying to fill their books since 1970 have once again proved a hit in the run up to the 2014 Brazil tournament which starts on Thursday with fans racing to complete their sticker album before the final on July 13.
One man from the Black Country has already completed his 640 sticker album - in just seven weeks - but for those still struggling to get all the players they need the answer is at hand.
WH Smith in Wolverhampton has latched onto the craze and will now host a swap shop every Saturday during the world cup.
The store in the Mander Centre is inviting fans down to the branch in the city centre and will 'referee' as deals are made between youngsters, and even adults, all keen to find that one elusive sticker they need to complete their book.
Manager Hayley Parkes said they are hoping that the shop becomes a hub for fans.
She said: "Collecting stickers is something we all remember as a kid and trading cards and making swaps.
"It's all part of the fun and we thought we would arrange a location where people can come along and trade with other collectors while people, like myself, can referee and making sure that fair swaps are taking place.
"It can save people a lot of money rather than keep buying stickers to find that one they need they can come along with their 'swaps' and trade. "
The event kicked off last week and one of those trading was Gurmit Lal,aged 34, from Finchfield in Wolverhampton. He was there with his sister Anita Devi, 31.
Mr Lal said: "I saw a sign in the window and thought I'd come along. It is a brilliant idea we swapped around 50 stickers which has obviously saved us £5.
"It's good to speak to other collectors and see how they are getting on with the sticker album. You just feel determined to complete it."
The Swap Shop will take place at 3pm on every Saturday during the World Cup.
One person who has done his business in the swapping market early is Wolves fan Russ Cockburn from Gornal.
The 35-year-old started his sticker book in April and has completed it within seven weeks.
It makes him part of a small pool of people in the country to have finished the mammoth album.
Mr Cockburn said: "I was helping my godson collect the stickers but he's grown up and was happy to do it on his own. My wife got me the album for my birthday and it went from there.
"My two daughters and my 19-year-old son collect stickers too so there is a bit of rivalry especially when he had a sticker I needed.
"We're all big kids at heart really and I guess it is sad but it is fun and a bit of a laugh."
Mr Cockburn says he has been openly critical of England midfielder James Milner and it was the Manchester City man who was to cause the collector problems.
He added: "I only needed three stickers. The Algerian national team badge, the Nigerian team photo and James Milner. I couldn't believe it was Milner.
"Fortunately I'm part of a Facebook group where people post what swaps they have and someone saw which ones I needed and they posted them through my door."
In the end it was the Algerian national team badge which keep him hanging on the longest.
