LEEDS UNITED 1996/97

Leeds United had 11 figures released for the 1996/97 season, one of which was their manager at the time George Graham, released towards the end of the collection, in January 1998

 

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The set also featured repaints of both Yeboah and Deane, painted in the new kit which featured yellow and blue striped around the collar and cuffs, as well as appearing on the shorts and socks. The club's shirt sponsor for that season was Packard Bell.

 

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Also included in this set were many first time sculpts and some of which have never been released again. The first time sculpts of Tony Dorigo, David Wetherall and Richard Jobson have never been released again by Corinthian.

 

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The figure of Gary Kelly is a first time sculpt but the figure has been released by Corinthian again but it was part of the Prostars range of figures, appearing in a Leeds United 4 pack. Ian Rush was released too, the facial sculpt being the same as previously released for Liverpool, however the body pose had changed and he was assigned a new collector code.

 

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The sculpt of Lee Sharpe was a brand new sculpt and differed to the one previously released for bitter rivals Manchester United. A very fine sculpt and one which was a very close likeness to the actual player.

 

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We are left with the final two figures, the sculpt of goalkeeper Nigel Martyn was a stunningly detailed one and who can forget his beaming smile. The figure also had a very detailed kit replication but one which Corinthian produced perfectly. Released towards the end of the range in January 1998 and the figure went largely un-noticed by collectors due to many stockists having stopped selling the figures by this point.

 

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The final figure in this set is that of up and coming star Lee Bowyer. This sculpt is perhaps the worst figure Corinthian have ever released and bore no resemblance to the player at all and is hard to believe it was even given the go ahead to be manufactured. Despite Bowyer being very young at the time the sculpt made him look like he was close to retirement.

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All figures were released as a single blister pack, coming with collector cards and a collectors information file.

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