Cigarette cards have been around since the nineteenth century, both here and in Europe. The 1994 World Cup ignited an interest in soccer collecting and that interest is beginning to spread more and more toward the older cigarette cards. This interest is reflected in the modern world by the appearance of web pages on the internet dedicated to cigarette cards and collecting.

Pre World War II British cigarette cards are among the most collectible and most popular items for soccer enthusiasts. These unique items present a different period to us. They are "low tech" items, a far cry from the shiny new cards being produced today. The cards themselves can be miniature works of art, with well drawn pictures and portraits.