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Thursday October 1, 2026 
30 September 2026
Old football kits are getting a new lease on life, being reworked into new garments at Unwanted FC. Founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Chan, the innovative circular fashion brand has officially opened its doors to a physical storefront in North Sydney’s Greenwood Plaza.
The journey of Unwanted FC began with a shared passion for football kit culture and a stark realisation about garment waste. Brothers Kevin and Keith Chan grew up loving football and collecting jerseys that held cherished memories of classic matches, iconic players, and tournament eras.
However, as fast fashion expanded and football clubs released multiple new kit iterations every season, the brothers noticed a growing problem: millions of synthetic sports garments ending up unworn, discarded, or consigned to landfill.
“After years of industry experience, we saw at firsthand how much waste was being left behind. Hence, we turned to the idea of upcycling. From everyday carry-wear to stylish wearables, we transform old sportswear into desirable products. The opportunities for a garment to live on are endless.” explained the Chan brothers.
What started as a creative experiment deconstructing vintage football jerseys and re-stitching them into unique tote bags, bucket hats, cushions, and reworked streetwear, quickly gained popularity in Australia and around the world.
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Starting online in 2018, Unwanted FC has now opened a shopfront in Greenwood Plaza North Sydney. They fellow sustainable clothing start up Swap in the City, in what is already an established fashion precinct.
The workshop style store allows visitors to see upcycling firsthand. The store offers a range of services and products, including custom re-work services where customers can bring in pre-loved sports jerseys to be transformed into tote bags, crossbody bags, or personalized lifestyle items. Visitors can also browse their collection of ready-to-wear upcycled accessories, outerwear, and caps crafted from repurposed vintage football kits, or engage in kit trades and sustainability consultations to learn about circular design and upcycling techniques.