Vintage Football Shirts that Match Your Vintage Football Memories

As an avid football fan, what is your number one memory of watching your club play down the years?
Your fave player scoring the winning goal in the Cup Final at the ‘old Wembley’?

Winning a Premiership or league title for the first time? Or in a certain team’s case, the 19th?

Your proud captain holding aloft the European Cup?

If you love your football, you’re bound to have precious memories of years gone by. You’ve got the DVDs, you’ve got the signed photos, now all you need is the vintage football shirt to mark the occasion.

Vintage football shirts are now more popular than ever thanks to the power of the Internet. There are some truly great stockists online where you can find your favourite ‘blast from the past’ footie shirt. It’s really important that you buy from a bona fide company, so you get an authentic, top quality garment at a reasonable price.

How many of these classic milestones in the world of football shirts can you remember?

1930s: Wolverhampton Wanderers ditch their striped kit in favour of an old gold shirt and black shorts.


1953: Gold-shirted Blackpool beat Bolton 4-3 in a thrilling FA Cup final which has come to be known as the Stanley Matthews Final.


1964: Liverpool’s legendary boss, Bill Shankley introduces the world famous all red strip that’s now recognised as part of the great club’s heritage.


1967: Celtic are the first British club to win the European Cup. It’s said that their winning kit of 1967 is the standard against which all future kits continue to be measured.


1970 AFC Bournemouth’s manager John Bond introduces a new kit comprising AC Milan-style red and black stripes. The Cherries still play in a version of this kit today.


1977: The Clough/ Taylor era spawns a golden age of football for the club who’s 1977 Adidas kit represents a fond reminder of their successes.


1982: Ipswich Town, led by their charismatic manager Bobby Robson, are smartly turned out in this classic pinstripe shirt, the following season after their UEFA Cup victory. They also end up runners-up in the league that same year.


1995: West Ham United launch their special ‘Centenary’ shirt – having beaten the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea away, they finish a commendable 10th in the Premiership.


And your club?

What is your fondest memory and why? Because there’s bound to be a vintage football shirt that will help you commemorate the occasion in true style.

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd are a web marketing company providing internet marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Practical alternatives to tights

Whilst tights are often seen as the most practical form of hosiery, there are some situations where they just won’t do. Perhaps you are wearing a tight-fitting dress and you don’t want the tell-tale ‘muffin-top’, or perhaps it’s just a hot day and you don’t want to walk around for hours feeling sweaty and uncomfortable. In these and other situations, there are alternatives which can allow you to cover up your legs without some of the associated drawbacks.

Stockings will always be great, classic look. They are good for clothes that are very fitted at the waist as they don’t dig in there, and can also come in a wide range of styles to suit whatever colour or particular look you are going for. For example, they can be seamless, toe seamed or, for a sexy look, they can come with a seam down the back. They also come in many colours, from black and nude to more eye-catching colours or even printed patterns such as spots and stripes.

Because they are fixed in place with garters rather than with an elasticated waist and gusset, they also allow your skin to breathe which makes them, some would say, the more hygienic choice on a hot day. Many women who suffer from bladder infections such as cystitis also find that tights irritate the problem and so prefer to find an alternative for that reason alone.

It is also widely accepted that tights, whilst useful on many occasions, are just not a particularly sexy look when compared to stockings and suspenders, which look stunning when teamed with a flattering, fitted basque. When going for sex appeal I’m afraid it has to be stockings all the way.

If you find that you don’t have the time to fiddle about with garter belts every day then an alternative option is holdups, which offer most of the benefits of stockings but take much less time to put on. Holdups are held in place at the top of the leg by an elastic strap, so like suspenders are perfect for the summer or for avoiding an unsightly line around the waist. However, bear in mind that whilst they are certainly more convenient than stockings, if you wear them for very long periods of time they can start to chafe slightly.

Tights, stockings and holdups are all made from similar materials such as lycra or silk and come in different deniers, so it is very easy to find a form of hosiery to replace your trusty tights on occasions when they won’t suit your outfit or mood. 

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd undertake business consulting in providing business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Rental Accounting Software . . . What Every Busy Rental Property Management Professional Needs

If you are in rental property management then rental accounting software can save you time, effort and expense.


Whatever system you are currently using to ‘manage’ your rental properties, whether it’s Excel spreadsheets or a paper-based alternative, you will be amazed how a rental accounting software package will transform your lettings management for the better.












How would you like a brand new member of staff to take on all the ‘hum-drum’ tasks you dread? Accounts; audits; management reports; letters to landlords and tenants; documents for contractors – the list is endless. And somehow there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get even the essentials done.


Just keeping on top of rental income and letting agency expenditure seems to take forever. And that’s more than likely because you’ve got several different systems in operation that are overly complicated to maintain and require lots of cross-referencing. As I’m sure you are only too well aware, this is not the most productive use of your time.


Well now it’s time to end the paper chase and get your office systems properly organized once and for good. Working with an automated software system is fantastic, because you are always up to date. Which means you can spend more time on building your business through dynamic, exciting activities like PR and marketing and less time on ‘housekeeping.’


Your rental accounting software will enable you to quickly organize all your properties and tenants. As well as managing income and expenditure with ease, your software will help you identify potential problem client areas such as late payers, and thus avoid a build-up of arrears and worse – debt collection or legal costs.


In fact, you’ll get a complete 360 degree view of your business’s main areas of activity. Crucially, you’ll know exactly how well the business is performing against key targets, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments to maximize your income potential.


Take the drudgery out of your lettings business and remember why you started the business in the first place:- to find clients the rental property of their dreams whether they stay for 6 months or 6 years – and of course, to make a significant profit!


Getting rid of the tedious stuff will enable you to focus on the ‘people’ side of your business and make client satisfaction your number one priority.


Goodbye paper, Goodbye Excel . . . Hello Great New Accounting System!



Jenkinson & Associates Ltd is a web marketing agency in providing business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Festive stocking fillers

Once you have got the big presents sorted out you may think you are home and dry. But if you are the kind of family that goes in for Christmas stockings as well then you still need to come up with some more gift ideas. Bear in mind thought that stocking fillers are usually a mix of small, useful items and novelty gifts and are not meant to be something to stress over.

As most people don’t have huge amounts of money to spend on stockings fillers once they have got the rest of the seasonal purchases out of the way, here are some easy and popular festive gifts you can buy on any budget:

• Mulled wine: This is always a Christmas favourite, and you can buy lovely bottles of this for very low prices, or even taster boxes with several small bottles using different flavours and spices. If you really want to make the effort whilst saving money, then you can make your own mulled wine with some red wine and spices such as cinnamon, cloves or citrus. Then you have a delicious and ready-made gift for your loved one as well as a few emergency presents if unexpected Christmas guests turn up.
  
  
• Christmas tights and socks: These are low-cost and fit nicely into a stocking! The great thing about buying tights and socks as gifts is that they can come in all kinds of novelty patterns or designs so they are fun as well as practical. For this time of year you can buy lovely Christmas tights, for example, in designs ranging from reindeers to holly or snowmen. These make cute and quirky party accessories for women - and after all, everybody likes something special to wear on Christmas day.
  
  
• Bath oils: This is something every woman in particular will appreciate – taking the time to have a hot, scented bath after a busy and people-filled day.  Any favourite scent will do, but if you can it is lovely to find bath oils which have been specially designed for the Christmas season as the smell will pervade the house and top up the festive cheer. In a similar vein, another popular choice is fizzing ‘bath bombs’ shaped and smelling like Christmas puddings or other Christmassy items.
  
  
• Chocolates: This may seem fairly dull, but unless they are allergic I know few people who will not appreciate a nicely wrapped box of chocolates. These can suit any budget, from the ever-popular box of Quality Streets or Ferrero Rocher to premium boxes of special Christmas chocolates.
  
  
  Jenkinson & Associates Ltd are an internet marketing company providing on line business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Top tips for buying tights

Every woman at some time in their lives will find the need to buy some tights, whether for the office, for added warmth or for a night out on the town. When buying hosiery, bear in mind that you should be playing to your best features in terms of style and colour, as well as considering what you will be wearing them with.

Here are some things to bear in mind when you are shopping for tights, whether it is online or on the high street:

• Versatility: The staple of every girl’s collection should some black tights and some nude tights. Black tights in particular will go with almost everything and suit any body type – particularly if you are after a slimming effect or want your legs to look longer. Nude tights are essential if you want to show your legs in a little summer dress but want a little added protection or perhaps the illusion of a slight tan. Whatever you are wearing, these two shades will cover all bases and are practically essential if you happen to work in an office with a formal dress code.

• Colours and prints: If you want to get a little more adventurous, then there are of course tights available in all kinds of colours and styles. If your legs really are one of our best assets then you can pretty much show them off with any colour or style you want – such as bold prints, glossy fabric or glitter.However, if your legs are a little bigger then you should stick to darker colours and light shades and bold prints can sometimes make them look a bit bulkier (although vertical stripes will help to make your legs look longer). Conversely, if your legs are a little on the skinnier side then you can make yourself look a little curvier with horizontal stripes or dots, for example.

• Shop around: Sometimes high street shops can sell tights with a big mark-up, so if you are the kind of person who buys these often and likes to have a wide variety on-hand in your wardrobe, you should look about online for shops selling wholesale hosiery. Handily, online vendors of wholesale hosiery will usually sell packs in bulk so you can stock up on your essentials as well as having money left over to be a bit more adventurous.
  
  
• Secret slimming: If you aren’t feeling too confident and feel like you could do with a little help, then go for some control-top tights which will offer support to your legs and hips as well as giving you a more streamlined look. 

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd are a web marketing company providing internet marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Introducing:- Advertising Banners for the Eco-conscious Consumer

Perhaps you’ve been put off using advertisingbanners for your business promotions, because traditional banner materials such as synthetics or PVC don’t sit well with your company’s “green” credentials.

That’s fair enough. Many more businesses these days are becoming conscious of the need to be seen to be more eco-aware and the print business is no exception.

Sign-makers are increasingly recognizing the need to be able to offer their customers  eco-friendly banners  to traditional print materials and the savvy print companies amongst them are now able to provide exactly that.

Bamboo fibre banner fabric

If you’re looking for a fabric which is made from a renewable source, then bamboo fibre banner fabric is the solution. It’s strong, durable and 99.6 per cent biodegradable. In case you’re not already aware, bamboo is a fast-growing and hardy resource that can be harvested four years after planting. It re-grows naturally, without the need to replant. As an added bonus, the bamboo used to manufacture this fabric is organically farmed, instead of being removed from forests.

As the materials are produced in an environmentally-friendly way without the use of pesticides or other harmful substances, you can be certain of getting a product which complies with REACH standards and is certified as such.

Unlike traditional plastic materials, being biodegradable means that your bamboo banner won’t have an infinite outdoor life, so you will find the guarantee period will be less than normal – these products are usually guaranteed for around three months – though of course, they are absolutely perfect for prolonged indoor use.

Polypropylene banner fabric

This fabric is 100 per cent recyclable including the fitted eyelets which are made from the same material. This polypropylene is a high tenacity fabric which means it has an excellent chemical resistance and does not absorb water, making it an ideal choice for all your outdoor banner requirements.

An international code is printed on this type of banner to ensure they are recycled correctly at the end of their useful life.

It’s really important that manufacturers recognize that their activity impacts on the environment and commits to taking appropriate steps to counteract that impact whenever possible.

If buying eco-friendly products is important to you, do make sure you purchase from a manufacturer who shares your values. If your printer or sign-maker offers green alternatives they will of course say so on their website. So if finding committed eco-friendly suppliers is important to you, it’s definitely worth shopping around.

How to plant a no-fuss garden

If you’re a person who wants to have an attractive garden to sit in but doesn’t have a lot of spare time on their hands, you will want to go for low-maintenance plants, shrubs and turf. Landscape gardening doesn’t have to be all back-breaking labour and endless weeding, pruning and fertilising. If you do your research properly you can find beautiful looking plants and shrubs that practically look after themselves, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your free time.

When choosing your shrubs, go for kinds that are fairly self-sufficient to suit your busy lifestyle. Compact azaleas or heathers, for example, are a good choice if you want something that’s going to look stylish but won’t grow wildly out of control. These can retain a beautiful look year-round and you don’t need to be an expert to take care of them.

For a low-maintenance garden, plants in containers are a good idea. One of the key benefits of container gardening is that it allows you to create something unique without going through the long hours of work required for more complex landscape gardening. 

You don’t have to stick to basic plant pots, but can use any containers you have around the house, however weird and wonderfully shaped, to design a garden that is personal to you. Raised beds containing low-maintenance shrubs or perennials can also look beautiful if laid out with care.

If your garden or backyard is of a fairly substantial size, then when you are designing the layout try to limit the amount of grass you have as far as possible, filling the remaining space with attractive paving slabs with plant pots, gravel or even bark chippings. Furthermore, when choosing the type of grass to lay down, go for a variety that doesn’t need frequent mowing. 

It may sound odd, but if you want to have a look at the kinds of low-maintenance plants out there, have a look at what is planted on roadsides or in municipal gardens. All of these plants will have been chosen deliberately to need as little care as possible, and whilst they may not be exactly what you would want it can give you, at the very least, a little food for thought.

Finally, remember that a home garden is never going to look the same as a show garden which will have people working on it all day, every day. If you accept that your garden is not supposed to look perfect then your enjoyment of it will be all the greater.

Maintaining a garden can be a full-time job and many of us today have such busy lives we simply don’t have to the time to dedicate to endless weeding and pruning. By employing Richmond Landscape gardeners if you live in South West London could help you to achieve the garden you want.

Learn to Sing, Dance and Act, all at the Same Time . . . and Don’t Forget to Breathe!

Musical Theatre is arguably the toughest of all musical performance disciplines, because it is considered to be the most technical.  After all, you’re frequently called upon to sing, dance and act, all at the same time! If you’ve been bitten by the Glee bug and feel inspired to take to the stage yourself, there are a number of musical theatre schools you might consider.

A musical theatre school will help you make of your abilities and may even bring out talent you didn’t realize you had. As well as learning new skills, joining a course or class will open up a whole new social life and provide a wealth of opportunities for personal and creative development.

So what sorts of classes are available to musical theatre students?

There are specialist workshops like a West End or Glee-type workshop which generally run for one day and allow participants to learn and perform pieces in a fun, light-hearted environment. These one-day events are perfect for those wanting to get a flavour of musical theatre and you’re sure to end the day on a real high note as you reflect on how much you have achieved in such a short space of time. The experience is bound to leave you hankering for more . . .

For those of you who are serious about wanting a career in the world of performance arts, then a one or two year intensive programme leading to an accredited qualification is ideal.  You’ll receive the highest levels of training and professional advice all the way through your chosen course and as you prepare to launch yourself into your exciting new career.

Many students will have inhibitions when they first join a course – it’s only natural. But really there’s no need to be anxious because most classes will focus on the group numbers first so you gradually gain in confidence. Though of course, if you have a penchant for solo performing you will be encouraged to step into the spotlight sooner, rather than later.

Throughout your chosen course, you will be trained by experienced mind, body and voice coaches to ensure you perform at the optimum level for you.

They say there’s nothing quite like the buzz of live theatre. And for those of us who love musicals, there can surely be no bigger buzz than appearing centre stage in a top production.  If this is what you dream of, then check out the variety of courses and classes available at your local musical theatre school or drama schools today.

What Does a Food Consultant Do?

If you run a hotel, restaurant, bar, take-away service, or any business which involves food preparation, then employing the services of a reputable food consultant will almost certainly improve the bottom line of your business.

A food consultant will provide an objective perspective on every aspect of your service operation, including personnel, menu design, purchasing, front of house – they can even advise on the branding of your business, like brand identity, strategy and management.

Usually someone who works specializes in this kind of role will have worked as an executive chef, or systems expert within a food environment.

A food consultant will also be able to train your staff to optimize resources and improve profitability within the business. They can act as an internal partner and advise on every aspect of your business including brand identity, brand awareness, positioning, operations, systems and front-of-house sales.

If you are setting up a new food business, they will also be able to help with the design of your retail space and associated merchandising. In short, you will gain an objective, expert perspective across every aspect of your business.

Even the most well-run food establishments can do with a little extra help from time to time.

Where hiring a food consultant can really pay dividends is in the area of personnel. Your staff are potentially the biggest asset your business has, seeing as they will interact with customers and one another frequently whilst delivering your food service. Your trusted advisor will train your staff to maximize their potential and make the most of their skills and resources. The consultant will also be able to provide advice on the best way of incentivising your employees and thus promoting loyalty and trust.

It’s well known that the food business is subject to a high turnover rate when it comes to staffing. If your food business consistently attracts a high staff turnover then it’s costing you more money that it should. Constantly hiring new staff every couple of months or so can be a real pain in that you have to keep training up new people. It’s also a real moral-drainer on the rest of your employees.

If you value your staff (and every business ought to), you should aim to do everything in your power to retain them. By offering them first rate ongoing training and incentives for reaching sales targets, you will encourage good moral, strong team camaraderie and high levels of personal motivation. And that can only be good for business.

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd undertake business consulting in providing business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Why buy flowers online?

Flowers are traditionally one of the most popular gift choices and will continue to remain so as they can suit virtually any occasion – whether as a present or for decorative purposes.  With the rise of e-commerce, the growing number of online florists means that more and more of us are choosing to buy flowers online when a special occasion comes along. Here are just some of the reasons why it makes sense to do this:

• Guaranteed freshness: Forget wilting bunches of flowers from garage forecourts – the best online vendors will send out freshly-cut flowers on the day you want them delivered as they work directly with the flowers rather than dealing with middle men. After all, presenting your loved one with a dying bunch of roses probably doesn’t create quite the impression you are going for.

• Online consultants: If you don’t know much about flowers and are not sure which ones fit the occasion, you may be thinking that if you buy flowers online there will be nobody to advise you. Not true: today online flower shops will usually have professional flower consultants to aid your choice.
• Any hour, any day: If you’ve forgotten a loved one’s birthday and need to order some flowers in a hurry, buying online means you don’t have to worry about business hours. You can order them the night before and rest assured they will reach their destination the next day.
• Any place: If you have a friend or relative a long way away then it certainly make sense in this situation to buy flowers online. Many online florists can even offer international delivery if they have branches throughout the world.
• The cost factor: Shopping around online can throw up great deals with most goods, and flowers are no exception. Whilst going down to your local shop means you are pretty much limited to whatever they are charging there, if you look online you have every internet florist at your fingertips and you can compare prices.
• Convenience: Sometimes, with the best will in the world, you just don’t have time to go down to the shops to buy flowers. Perhaps you are working late hours and are tied to your desk all day. Before the internet this would have been a problem, but now all you have to do is locate an online florist, make your choice, make the payment and you’re done. Simple. 

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd are business consultants providing business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.

Family activities for a rainy day

Everybody is familiar with the situation: It’s pouring with rain outside, it’s the school holidays and the children are going out their mind with boredom, driving you out of your mind in the process! So what kinds of simple and affordable activities are there to keep them entertained and stimulated until bedtime?

• Play a game: Traditional games will never go out of fashion, so use the opportunity afforded by the rain to have some fun as a family. If the kids are feeling particularly raucous then go for a more energetic game such as Twister or Charades, which involves a lot of shouting and gesticulation. On the other hand, if it is nearing the evening and you want to quieten them down a little then jigsaw puzzles are a nice, soothing family activity. One of the great things about jigsaw puzzles is that everybody can take part, whether it is sorting pieces of constructing certain sections.
•  Watch a film: Today we are spoilt for choice with the range of family-friendly films available. Whilst you would not want your children to be slumped in front of the television screen every day, watching a film together is an easy and cheap way to while away a couple of hours.
• Paint pictures: If you can’t take your family outside then it’s an ideal opportunity to get the easels out. Painting is a great activity for kids as it encourages them to be creative – but do remember to supervise them otherwise you could end up with a bit of a mess on your (or their) hands.
• Set challenges: It requires a little effort, but one of my favourite things about rainy afternoons when I was a child was when my parents would put together a treasure hunt for my brother, sisters and I. You can make this as elaborate as you want – if the rain doesn’t look like letting up all day then the core complicated the better! Also, it needn’t cost you much as you can make the clues yourself and the ‘treasure’ can be whatever best suits your children’s preferences.
  
  

Go on a day trip: Of course, you don’t have to stay in the house to avoid a downpour. If all else fails and you have the time or money, take your family on an outing. If you want to go for something educational, then find out about nearby museums of galleries. On the other hand, if you just want them to use up their energy, or they are too little to have the patience for these kinds of places, then take them to a place such as a bowling alley or indoor swimming pool.

Jenkinson & Associates Ltd undertake business consulting in providing business and marketing for companies looking to grow their business.