A haul of 4,000 counterfeit football shirts, shorts and socks discovered at an Altrincham address has been seized and ordered for destruction following a court hearing.
The fake kit included replica items for Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and England, with some dating back to previous seasons.
The stash was uncovered by Merseyside Police officers who were visiting the property for unrelated reasons. The items were handed over to Trafford Council's Trading Standards team, who pursued an 'early forfeiture' - a legal process allowing the seizure and destruction of goods believed to be counterfeit or dangerous.
Manchester Magistrates granted an order for the kit, which had been in storage for several months, to be disposed of at a hearing on Thursday 2nd April.
The court heard that nobody came forward to claim the items, despite the council writing to the house where they were found. Anyone asserting ownership could have challenged the forfeiture - but in doing so would have risked prosecution by Trading Standards, the enforcement authority responsible for counterfeit goods offences.
Cllr Keleigh Glenton, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Community Safety and Civil Contingencies, said: "We are pleased to have removed these counterfeit items from potential sale in Trafford and beyond and our thanks go to our partners at Merseyside Police and Manchester Magistrates Court for working with the Council to take this fake kit out of circulation.
"Our Trading Standards team works hard to protect the public, who may unwittingly end up with inferior goods, as well as the legitimate brands, manufacturers and retailers, who follow trading rules and uphold standards at each stage in the supply chain."
Counterfeit sportswear is often made with substandard materials and its sale undermines legitimate retailers, with proceeds sometimes linked to wider criminal activity. Residents who suspect counterfeit goods are being sold locally can report concerns to Trafford Council's Trading Standards team.
