The iconic Action Man Footballer, a beloved part of the “Sportsman” range, didn’t just reflect the UK’s passion for football; it was deeply rooted in Leicestershire’s manufacturing prowess and had a surprising connection to Leicester City. Produced by Palitoy in Coalville, Leicestershire, these popular figures allowed children across the nation to bring their football dreams to life. What’s more, the vivid box artwork for the “Famous Football Clubs” series was crafted by Derek Bown, a dedicated Leicester City fan, who cleverly repurposed local Leicester Mercury newspaper photos of Leicester City players, adapting them to represent the various First Division teams, cementing a unique local legacy in this global toy phenomenon.
The “Action Footballer” set first appeared around 1968. Initially, Action Man figures had painted heads and hard hands. The early football kits were often in generic England colours (white shirt/blue shorts or red shirt/white shorts/red socks). These early nylon shirts were prone to stretching or shrinking, a common issue for collectors of these vintage pieces today.
With the introduction of flocked hair and gripping hands – an innovative development by Palitoy in the early 1970s – the Action Man figure, part of “The Sportsman” range, became even more versatile for dynamic sporting poses, paving the way for the popular Club Kits. Palitoy wisely capitalized on football’s soaring popularity by releasing specific “Famous Football Clubs” kits from 1971 onwards. These highly sought-after kits featured popular First Division teams of the era, allowing young fans to truly immerse themselves in the world of professional football. The roster of teams included:
- Manchester United
- Leeds United
- Everton
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
- West Ham United
- Glasgow Rangers
- Newcastle United
- Arsenal
- Celtic
- Aston Villa (among the rarer kits)
- Tottenham Hotspur (among the rarer kits)
A typical Action Man Footballer set would come with a comprehensive array of accessories, enhancing the play experience:
- The Action Man figure itself (often featuring the desirable flocked hair and gripping hands for realistic poses).
- A complete football kit, consisting of a shirt, shorts, and socks, designed to replicate the look of the era’s professional players.
- Football boots, often designed without specific left/right distinction but perfectly sized for the Action Man’s feet.
- A plastic football, usually white and often stamped “HONG KONG,” a common manufacturing origin for toys at the time.
- An iconic Action Man dog tag, a staple accessory across many Action Man sets.
- An Action Man booklet/equipment manual, showcasing other available figures and accessories.
- Sometimes, a display stand was included for proudly showcasing the figure.
- Crucially, with the club kits, a club lapel badge and a leaflet detailing the club’s history were often provided, adding an educational and collectible element.
The box artwork for the “Famous Football Clubs” series, as mentioned, was illustrated by Derek Bown, a dedicated Leicester City fan. His artistic process involved drawing inspiration from local Leicester Mercury newspaper photos of Leicester players, adapting their poses and actions to fit the colours and badges of the specific First Division teams being represented. These shirts often featured delicate paper stickers for club badges, which, due to their age and material, are now commonly missing or damaged on vintage sets, making complete, pristine examples highly prized by collectors.
Later Revivals
While Palitoy ceased production in 1984, marking the end of an era for the original Action Man figures, the brand has seen several revivals over the years, a testament to its enduring legacy. In 2016, a particularly notable return celebrated two significant anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of Action Man himself and, fittingly for the football theme, the 50th anniversary of England’s World Cup win. This saw the release of a limited edition Action Man Bobby Moore figure, a tribute to the legendary England captain. Additionally, classic “England” Footballer recreations were also made available, often replicating the beloved features of the 1970s figures with their flocked hair and gripping hands, allowing a new generation to appreciate this classic toy.
The Action Man Footballer remains a highly sought-after collectible for both Action Man enthusiasts and football memorabilia collectors worldwide. The complete club-specific kits, especially those with intact badges and original accessories, are particularly valuable and cherished pieces of sporting and toy history. They stand as a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era of football and play, deeply intertwined with Leicestershire’s industrial heritage.