Michael Schumacher: F1 fan blown away by news after sensational bargain purchase
Michael Schumacher briefly swapped F1 for football back in 2004
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A man in Sheffield has been blown away after buying a Michael Schumacher charity football shirt for £28.
The German donned the strip all the way back in 2004 while playing in a match in Monaco.
Lee Clapp didn't know that, however, when he purchased the jersey from a Glass Onion vintage clothing store.
He eyed the shirt after noticing the inique sponsors and manufacturers involved in creating the design.
F1 icon Michael Schumacher wore the strip while playing at a charity football match back in 2004
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He said, per The Star: "I have an interest in retro football shirts.
"This football shirt was hanging near the door.
"The sponsor was German, maker was Italian and another sponsor looked Japanese.
"I thought 'for £28 I'll take it and do some research'."
Clapp then took to the internet in order to learn more about the Schumacher shirt.
He posted on various Reddit forums, contacted the Michael Schumacher Foundation and also reached out to experts on the matter.
Images from 2004 showed Schumacher sporting the jersey while playing at a charity match after the Monaco Grand Prix that year.
Clapp sought to verify whether the shirt was real.
He reached out to former F1 driver Maro Engel, who also took part in the football match.
Engel didn't respond. Undeterred, however, Clapp then decided to take action into his own hands.
The 28-year-old attended the Belgian Grand Prix back in July and waited by the VIP entrance.
He knew Engel would be attending the event, having learned of the news through social media.
Clapp waited near the Eau Rouge corner and noticed somebody with a Ferrari pass. He then asked them about the shirt and requested they pass on a message to Engel to check his messages on social media.
The 38-year-old then belatedly responded and finally gave the fan the answers he was looking for.
Engel told Clapp that the shirts are not produced for fans to purchase.
That makes the strip extremely rare, with just a handful made for Schumacher for the event.
The F1 fan said: "The players would get two or three shirts made for them in different sizes.
"[The verification] cemented the year-and-a-half of research I did and it was nice to share that moment with the fans on the coach."
Clapp has since learned that the shirt he purchased for just £28 is actually worth far more.
Ebay listings show the strip is going for prices of around £3,500.
Michael Schumacher won seven F1 titles during his time in the sport
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The Sheffield man has no plans to sell up, however.
He's instead got the Schumacher strip framed and keeps it at home.
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