Author: Gavin Hope

Kit Geek Creator, 1/3 of Football Kit Podcast

EFL, League One 22/23 – End of Season Report

Posted in EFLTagged , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

The 2022/23 League One Season came to a close on Sunday 7th May 2023, with Plymouth Argyle securing the title on the final day of the season and breaking the 100 point barrier, runners up were Ipswich Town who themselves managed a staggering 98 points to secure automatic promotion to The Championship. Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United will compete in the Playoffs for the final promotion place.

I wanted to take a look at the kits worn during the league stage of the season (not including Play Offs).

Kit Stats

  • 1104 Kits worn (552 Games)
  • 102 Different Kit variations used by the 24 teams.
  • Home Kits – 38% of Kit variations used
    • 24 Home Kits worn
    • 15 Home Kit variations worn
  • Away Kits – 37% of variations used
    • 24 Away Kits worn
    • 14 Away Kit variations worn
  • 3rd Kits – 24% of variations worn
    • 19 3rd Kits worn
    • 5 3rd Kit variations worn
  • Special Kit – 1% of variations worn
    • 1 Special Kit worn

Overview of Kits Worn

Kit Overview

Kit Log – Match 1 to Match 15

Kit Log – Match 16 to Match 30

Kit Log – Match 31 to Match 46

Kit Variations

Looking in more detail at the kit variations worn by the League One Teams

  • 1 Teams wore 7 Kit Variations
    • Accrington Stanley – Home x2, Away x3, 3rd x2
  • 5 Teams wore 6 Kit Variations
    • Barnsley – Home, Away x2, 3rd x2, Special
    • Charlton Athletic – Home x2, Away x2, 3rd x2
    • Morecambe – Home x4, Away x2
    • Oxford United – Home x3, Away x2, 3rd
    • Plymouth Argyle – Home x2, Away x3, 3rd
  • 3 Teams wore 5 Kit Variations
    • Burton Albion – Home x2, Away x3
    • Derby County – Home, Away x2, 3rd x2
    • Lincoln City – Home x2, Away, 3rd x2
  • 5 Teams wore 4 Kit Variations
  • 10 Teams in just 3 Kit Variations
  • Most Variations of Home Kit – 4 Kits
    • Morecambe: Red – White – Black / Red – White – White / Red – Red – Black / Red – Red – White
  • Most Variations of Away Kit – 3 Kits
    • Accrington Stanley: White – Black – White / All White / White – White – Black
    • Burton Albion: All Black / Black – Yellow – Yellow / Black – Black – Yellow
    • Plymouth Argyle: White – Black – White / All White / White – White – Green
  • Most Variations of 3rd Kit – 2 Kits
    • Accrington Stanley: Black – Black – White / Black – White – White
    • Barnsley: All Black – Black / Black / White
    • Charlton Athletic: All Blue / Blue – Blue – White
    • Derby County: Black – Black – Green / All Black
    • Lincoln City: All White / White – White – Black
  • 7 Teams only used Home, Away kits and 3rd Kits with no variations
  • 3 Teams wore 3 kits with no 3rd kit, all using a variation of their Home Kit – Cambridge United, Cheltenham Town, Fleetwood Town
  • Most worn Home Kit – 38, Ipswich Town
  • Most worn Away Kit – 16, Cambridge United
  • Most worn 3rd Kit – 12, Exeter City

Kit Grid

Below is a graphic of what kits where worn against what teams, its one that I share on a weekly basis on my Twitter Account – @Kit_Geek

Kit Highlights and Summary

In 2022/23 League One teams wore 102 Kits, this was an increase in the number kits compared to last season where 94 Kits were worn, the 102 Kits were the most worn in an EFL League this season. All teams wore a minimum of 3 kits with only 3 teams in just home and away kits each of these team wore at least one kit variation of their home kit which gives us some different looks through out the season.

Bristol Rovers had a couple of Kit Tales this season, the first being in their game against Exeter City on 29th December when as the Home Kit they supported The Shelter “No Home Kit” campaign by wearing their Away shirt with Home Shorts and Socks, however they changed shirts at half time to return to their home shirt and ended the game in their full home kit, giving us the only kit variation to be used for half a game!

This half time change led to a run of 18 games, from 29th December 2022 to 22nd April where their only wore their Home Kit, this 124 day run was the longest run of just one kit being used in the English Leagues this season.

Morecambe used 4 Home Kit looks through the season, they used two different looks in home games with their traditional red shirts and white shorts paired with both black (default) and white socks. The other variations used on the road used red shorts with both pairs of socks.

There was only one special kit used in League One and that was Barnsley, who wore a “Red Out” shirt that was to support their “Together Red” campaign which was to help raise awareness Barnsley’s no-tolerance message of discrimination of any kind, ensuring Oakwell is a safe place for all.

Kit sustainability is a topic that has been raised a lot of the past season, so I wanted to call out the many teams in League One that used kits in the 2022/23 season that have been from the previous season… 8 teams re-used 11 kits in total for a second season

  • Accrington Stanley – Home, Away and 3rd kits were from last season!
  • Bolton Wanderers – 3rd Kit was last season’s away
  • Bristol Rovers – 3rd Kit was last season’s away
  • Exeter City – Away and 3rd kits were from last season
  • Forest Green Rovers – Home kit from last season
  • Port Vale – 3rd Kit was last season’s away
  • Sheffield Wednesday – 3rd kit was last season’s away
  • Wycombe Wanderers – 3rd kit was last season’s away

Two of these teams left it late to use their 3rd Kits, with Sheffield Wedsnesday using their’s in their penultimate league game and Wycombe Wanderers using theirs in the final game of the season both teams had only used Home and Away Kits up till that point!

Wycombe Wanderes were also part of one of my favourite “Kit Match Ups” of the season, when they played Bristol Rovers on 26th December 2022, giving us the unusual kit site of two quartered shirts playing against each other, and what a sight it was… perfectly balanced kits and works so well in humble opinion!

My final thought of 2022/23 League One season is with the Champions Plymouth Argyle… their away kit this season which pays homage to the kit worn when they played in Playoff Final at Wembley in 1996. This kit is my favourite kit in English football this season, its design, use of the club’s traditional colours and overall balance is a stand out kit from Puma, so my congratulations to The Pilgrims not only for the return to The Championship but doing it in the one of the best kits of the recent years… (please keep it for another year!!)

There we have it, League One’s End of Season Kit report for 2022/23, please let me know your favourite kit highlights from this division on the comments below or over at Twitter – @Kit_Geek

You can find other End of Season Reports below.

Premier League – 2022/23 End of Season Report

Championsip – 2022/23 End of Season Report

League Two – 2022/23 End of Season Report

EFL, The Championship 22/23 – End of Season Report

Posted in EFLTagged , , , , , , , 3 Comments

The 2022/23 Championship Season came to a close on Monday 8th May 2023, with Burnley becoming Champions after accumulating a staggering 101 points and returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Sheffield United secured the second automatic spot to return to Premier League after two seasons in the Second Tier. The teams competing in the Play-Offs are Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Sunderland.

I want to take a look at the kits worn during the league stage of the season (not including Play Offs).

Kit Stats

  • 1104 Kits worn (552 Games)
  • 99 Different Kit variations used by the 24 teams.
  • Home Kits – 33% of Kit variations used
    • 25 Home Kits worn
    • 8 Home Kit variations worn
  • Away Kits – 35% of variations used
    • 23 Away Kits worn
    • 12 Away Kit variations worn
  • 3rd Kits – 30% of variations worn
    • 22 3rd Kits worn
    • 7 3rd Kit variations worn
  • Special Kits – 2% of variations worn
    • 2 Special Kits worn

Overview of Kits Worn

Kit Overview

Kit Log – Match 1 to Match 15

Kit Log – Match 16 to Match 30

Kit Log – Match 31 to Match 46

Kit Variations

Looking in more detail at the kit variations worn by the Championship Teams

  • 1 Team wore 8 Kit Variations, most in The Championship
    • Luton Town – Home x2, Away x3, 3rd x3
  • 1 Team wore 7 Kit Variations
    • Stoke City – Home x2, Away x2, 3rd x3
  • 7 Teams in 5 Kit Variations
    • Birmingham City – Home x2, Away x2, Special Kit
    • Blackpool – Home x2, Away, 3rd x2
    • Bristol City – Home x2, Away, 3rd x2
    • Hull City – Home x2, Away x2, 3rd
    • QPR – Home x2, Away x3
    • Reading – Home, Away x2, 3rd x2
    • Sheffield United – Home, Away x3, 3rd
  • 4 Teams in 4 Kit Variations
  • 11 Teams in 3 Kit Variations – Just Home, Away, 3rd Kits
  • Most Variations of Home Kit – 2 Kits
    • 9 Teams in Home Kit and 1 variation of Home Kit
    • Bristol City in 2 different Home Kits (Hummel and O’Neills)
  • Most Variations of Away Kit – 3 Kits
    • Luton Town: All White – White / Navy / White – White / White / Navy
    • QPR: Maroon, Navy Hoops / Navy / Navy – Maroon, Navy Hoops / Maroon / Maroon – Maroon, Navy Hoops / Maroon / Navy
    • Sheffield United: All White – White / Black / White – White / Black / Black
  • Most Variations of 3rd Kit – 3 Kits
    • Stoke City: All Black – Black / Red / Red – Black / White / White
  • 13 Teams worn no variation of kits
    • 11 Teams in just Home, Away and 3rd Kits
    • Huddersfield Town in 4 kits, Home, Away, 3rd and Special
    • Bristol City in 5 different kits – 22/23 Home, Away, 3rd and 23/24 Home, 3rd
  • Most worn Home Kit – 38, Norwich City
  • Most worn Away Kit – 15, Rotherham United, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic
  • Most worn 3rd Kit – 13, Stoke City (including variations)

Kit Grid

Below is a graphic of what kits where worn against what teams, its one that I share on a weekly basis on my Twitter Account – @Kit_Geek

Kit Highlights and Summary

In 2022/23 Championship teams wore 99 Kits, this was an increase in the number kits compared to last season where 97 Kits were worn.  The increase of two can be directly linked to one club…. Bristol City.

After Hummel’s UK Kit Supplier Elite Sports Group when into Administration it meant there were supply issues for the teams they provided kits too in EFL, Bristol City took this opportunity to introduce their 2023/24 Kit Produced by O’Neills and took to the field in their new kits from end of February with 14 games still to play, they also introduced their 3rd kit for next season as well, wearing that 3 times in total, this meant that they wore 5 different kits this season with no variations.

Stoke City promised the world for a Kit Geek like me this season, their initial kit launched promised several looks that the team could take to the field in this season, in the end they “only” used 7 different Kit Variations through-out 2022/23 but the overall idea and execution of their Kit Set should be applauded in my eyes.

Socks are often overlooked in terms of Kit desgin, so I want to call out Hull City’s away socks which are a thing of beauty with their black, amber, red hoops which complement the details on cuffs and collar of their away shirt

Blackpool were the only team not to wear their away kit in it’s default look, initially launch with “Tangerine” shorts, the actual shorts were never used with the white shirts and socks, The Seasiders going for an all white when wearing their away kit on just 3 occasions. However the shorts did see plenty of action by giving Blackpool an alternative all “Tangerine” look which was used 8 times on the road and interestingly not used after Michael Appleton was sacked as Manager in January.

For the second season in a row there was a theme of clubs wearing their 3rd Kits more than their Away kits… with 8 times falling under this bracket.

  • Blackburn Rovers – 10 times
  • Blackpool – 8 times (2 variations)
  • Brisol City – 8 times (Hummel and O’Neills)
  • Coventry City – 10 times
  • Huddersfield Town – 9 times
  • Hull City – 5 times
  • Middlesbrough – 7 times
  • Stoke City – 13 times

There were two “Special” Kit used this season in The Championship.

Huddersfield Town’s kit for Yorkshire Air Ambulance which was a yellow and red kit, very Melchester Rovers and worn against Norwich City (one of only two teams to wear yellow as their home kit), the match shirts were auctioned after the game.

Birmingham City, had a special kit for their “Arthur” memorial kit with profits going directly to NSPCC Birmingham and was worn at home against Preston North End, again a team which caused a clash with the special kit.

There was other examples of teams wearing change kits in Home Fixtures, there was a second campaign across the EFL for Shelter, “No Home Kit” inititiave was used to highlight homelessness around the Christmas period this season and teams took part in The Championship this season… with Cardiff City, Coventry City and Wigan Athletic

Watford celebrated their centenary with a black and white kit (used as their 3rd Kit this season), the colours they initially wore 100 years ago.

Sunderland went with red shorts in their game against Hull City, this was for the Foundation by Light charity and the charity’s Small Change Big Difference campaign. The shorts were auctioned at the end of the game.

There we have it, The Championship’s End of Season Kit report for 2022/23, please let me know your favourite kit highlights from this division on the comments below or over at Twitter – @Kit_Geek

You can find other End of Season Reports below.

Premier League – 2022/23 End of Season Report

League One – 2022/23 End of Season Report

League Two – 2022/23 End of Season Report

Gianluca Vialli – My Tribute

Posted in GeneralTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Friday 6th January 2023 saw the sad passing of one the games greats, Gianluca Vialli after his battle with pancreatic cancer since 2017.

For people like me of a certain age, Vialli was one the footballers of our youth, Italia 90, Football Italia on Channel 4, that Champions League winning Juventus team, Player Manager of Chelsea… so many wonderful memories of football for me!

A total of 673 Club Appearences, with 259 goals and 58 International Caps with 16 goals… a rare winner of all European Competitions with Champions League, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup as a player and European Super Cup as a Manager. Add to that Domestic success with Serie A, Coppa Italia, FA Cup and English League Cup titles.

I wanted to create my own small tribute to a football man that gave me so much joy over the years!

Gianluca Vialli’s club career

So many classic kits are linked to Vialli over the years…. here are some of my favourites!

Cremonese – 1980 to 1984. 113 Appearences / 25 Goals

Sampdoria – 1984 to 1992. 327 Appearences / 141 Goals

The first time I heard of Vialli was his time with Sampdoria, that timeless classic look…

One of the most classic European Cup / Champions League Final Kit Match ups…

Juventus – 1992 to 1996. 145 Appearences / 53 Goals

Winning the Champions League in 1996

Chelsea – 1996 to 1999. 88 Appearences / 40 Goals

A Player Manager, it does not get more fairytale than that for me…. Another reason why I love Vialli was his stint as Player Manager, winning four cups with Chelsea.

International Years

1985 to 1992 as player, 2019 to 2022 as an Assistant Coach

59 Appearences / 16 Goals

Italia 90, a World Cup played at Home!

Captaining his country

Lifting the Euros as Assistant Coach of the Euro 2020 Team

A legend in my eyes, Rest in Peace Luca and thank you for the memories!

World Cup ’22, Overall Kit Review

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Well that’s it, the 2022 World Cup is over, and after 64 Games Argentina have been crowned World Cup Winners for the third time after remarkable final against France, a game that will live forever as one of, if not the greatest World Cup Final ever!

It is time for me to take a look at the Kits worn through-out the tournament and those worn in the knock out stages.

I have separate posts about the group stages…

1st Round of Group games can be found here

2nd Round of Group games can be found here

Overall Group Stage review can be found here

A few stats….

There have been a total of 66 kits used throughout the tournament in the 64 games.

We have seen “Primary” Kits (and variations) used 68% and “Secondary” kits (and variations) used 30% of the time and 3rd kit 2% (just used the once)!

Argentina are the only team to wear 4 kit variations, with 3 different primary kit looks and their secondary kit worn once.

6 Nations wore 3 different kit variations in the tournament with 4 of those teams (Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Canada) in 3 different kits in their only appearances. Morocco and Brazil, using their 3rd variation within the knock out stages.

19 Teams have worn two kits and 6 Teams in the same kit for their 2022 World Cup games.

Knock Out Rounds Overview….

Primary – 10

Primary variations – 8

Secondary – 4

Secondary variations – 1

We have seen 7 new kit variations used in the final round of fixtures.

Knock Out Round Fixtures

Last 16

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

3rd / 4th & Final

Looking at the teams journeys in a little more detail by group…

GROUP A – 8 Kits in total

The Netherlands reached the Quarter-Finals and only used their Primary kit, Senegal the other team to reach the knock out stages wore their Secondary Kit for the first time in their defeat to England.

GROUP B – 8 Kits

No new kits on show in the knock out games from teams in Group B, England ended the tournament without using their secondary kit, just the two variations of Primary Kit, this was the case for the second Major Tournament in a row.

GROUP C – 10 Kits

Argentina in 4 kits, used their Primary with white shorts and socks in three of their four games in the knock out phase of the competition, Poland were one of those teams that only used one kit in all their appearances.

GROUP D – 7 Kits

France were another team that did not use their secondary kit (one of the most popular kits before the start of the tournament), using two variations of their Primary kit, the all blue look was used twice including the Final.

GROUP E – 9 Kits

Spain were the only team in the competition that did not wear either their default Primary or Secondary kits, following their use of all red in the group stages with alternative white shorts with their Secondary Kit. Japan also in a second look for the tournament in their knock out game against Croatia, with alternative blue shorts used with their Primary Kit.

GROUP F – 9 Kits

Two teams from the group reached the final four of the competition, with Morocco using a Kit Mash up in their Semi Final against France, pairing their Primary Kit with Secondary white socks. Croatia unlike recent tournaments were mainly seen in the Primary kit with their Secondary only used in their Semi-Final appearance.

GROUP G – 9 Kits

Brazil in their quarter final gave us another alternative kit for the competition, using their secondary socks with Primary Kit to give us a Yellow / Blue / Blue look, one often used by the Brazilians as an alternative look.

GROUP H – 6 Kits

No new kits on show from the teams in Group H, with South Korea only using their Primary Kit in the tournament and an appearance of both Primary and Secondary Kits for Portugal.

Overall kit highlights from the Knock Out Rounds…

The Semi-Final between France and Morocco gave us Kit Match Up with two teams in “Tri-Colour”, each element of the kit being made of different colour, thanks to Morocco using their secondary white socks with their Primary Kit.

Argentina the only team to wear four kit variations, with three different Primary looks worn and their secondary kit worn once.

Would it be a World Cup with Brazil using an alternative kit, this one with secondary socks works well with the green details in all elements of the kit given a clean variation of their Primary Kit.

There we have it, the 2022 World Cup is over, what are your favourite kits on show and favourite kit moments of the tournament?

Let me know in the comments below of over at @Kit_Geek on Twitter

FA Cup 2022/23 – Second Round, Kit Review

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, first kicked off over 150 years ago in November 1871 has now completed its full Second Round of the 2022 / 23 season.

The First Round Kit Review can be found here

The second round was made up of 40 Teams made up from 29 League One and League Two teams and 11 teams from the Non-League English Football Pyramid, with Alvechurch FC being the lowest rank team in the round who play in the 7th Tier (Southern League Premier Division Central).

Second Round Kit Log

The 40 Teams were provided by 19 Kit Manufactures, giving us a wide range of kit makers to look at.

Overall Macron produced the most kits in this round with seven teams, Puma second with five teams and third were Hummel with four teams (all EFL Clubs). There were ten manufactures that only provided the one team in this round, ths included Adidas (Accrington Stanley) and Canterbury (Buxton).

Taking a look at this per round, shows there were two manufactures lost from the First Round games.

Second Round Replay – Kit Log

There were only two replays in this round and of these only Gillingham’s match against Dagenham & Redbridge gave us a different kit match up from the original game.

Kit Highlights

I want to call out a few Kit Highlights from the total 22 Second Round games.

Gillingham – In their first game with Dagenham & Redbridge then went for a Kit Mash Up combining their Home Shirt with Away shorts and socks, to give a look which is a more a “traditional” Gills look of Blue / White / White that was used by the club until the mid 90s.

MK Dons – Another team that have combined kits to create a Mash Up, this with their home shirt and 3rd shorts / socks for white and black look, one that they have now used a few times this season but one that is not often seen by the League One Club.

Chippingham Town – One of the Non League sides who played in the Second Round, also one of the only teams that were the only representaton for their kit manufacturer. Uhlsport, a classic name in football are often seen in the England from an outfield Kit point of view but their home kit for Chippingham Town is a stylish one, with a nice use of the “yolk” in the shirt to give us something different in terms of kit aesthetics.

Let me know your favourite kits from this season’s FA Cup Second Round at either the comments section below or over at Twitter – @Kit_Geek

World Cup ’22, Kit Log Group Stages

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , 1 Comment

We have hit the twelfth day of the 2022 World Cup, the Group Stages have ended and half the Nations are already on their way home.

It is time for me to take a look at the Kits worn through-out the Group Stages and those worn in the last round of games.

1st Round of Group games can be found here

2nd Round of Group games can be found here

A few stats….

There have been a total of 59 kits used throughout the tournament, out of a possible 96 kits,

We have seen “Primary” Kits (and variations) used 69% and “Secondary” kits (and variations) used 29% of the time and 3rd kit 2% (just used the once)!

5 Teams wore three different kit variations in their three Group Games, with 17 Teams have worn two kits in the first two group games and 10 Teams in the same kit for their three Group games.

Group Game 3 Overview….

Primary – 21

Primary variations – 4 (France, Mexico, Spain, Germany)

Secondary – 7

Secondary variations – 0

We have seen 12 new kit variations used in the final round of fixtures.

Game 3 Fixtures

Group A and Group B

Group C and Group D

Group E and Group F

Group G and Group H

Looking into the Groups in more detail…

Group A – 7 Kits

The stand out from a Kit point of view in Group A was Ecuador, who wore three different kits in their three appearences in this World Cup, with two variaitons of the Primary Kit being used. Hosts Qatar, used both Primary and Secondary Kits, with the two Nations progressing (Netherlands and Senegal) only using their Primary Kit in their three matches so far.

Group B – 8 Kits

Each team in Group 3 used two kit variations, with USA (x2) and Iran (x1) using both Primary and Secondary kits and Home Nations England and Wales only using their Primary Kit but with alternative shorts, Wales’ red shorts being part of their secondary kit and England’s white shorts being a bespoke alternative short for the Primary Kit. Wales’ final appearance in the group in the default Primary look was the 50th Different Kit Variation used in this World Cup.

Group C – 9 Kits

The most kits used in a Group, two Nations in the Group, Argentina and Saudi Arabia where two of the five Nations that wore three different kits in their three Group Appearances, with Argentina in both Black and White socks with their Primary kit and Saudi Arabia in their secondary kit twice, once pairing with Primary shorts and socks to give a “Green / White / White” look. Mexico and Poland are Nations that just used their Primary Kit, with Mexico in alternative green shorts once, meaning Poland were the only team to use just one kit in the Group.

Group D – 7 Kits

Three nations wore two kit variations in Group D, France in Primary Kits in all three games with their last game being paired with alternative blue shorts and socks. Australia and Denmark in both Primary and Secondary kits, with Denmark’s one appearance in a Secondary kit was paired with Primary shorts to give a “White / Red / White” look. Tunisia, the only team in the group not change from their Primary kit, wearing the one kit in their three appearences at this World Cup.

Group E – 7 Kits

The stand out Nation from a Kit view in Group E was Costa Rica, with three kit variations worn their three games, with Secondary used first, then two outings of the Primary kit, once with white (secondary) socks against Japan. Spain in all red of their games was something of a disappointment for me, Germany another team to go with the single colour look (twice) and one of the kits of tournament, Japan’s Primary being worn in all group games.

Group F – 7 Kits

Red is a common theme in this group but surprisingly both Croatia and Belgium have only worn their Primary Kits, with some controversy surrounding the Belgium secondary kit which was scheduled to be used but was changed on the eve of the tournament Canada one of the only Nations in the Tournament that has three registered kits, was the only one to use all three kits, wearing 3 of the 7 different looks in this game. Morocco, in one of my favourite kits of the competition with their Secondary kit which was worn against Belgium and Canada.

Group G – 8 Kits

Almost a nice simple group in terms of kits, all Nations in two kits, with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Primary and Secondary Kits, with only Cameroon using a variation of kit when in their first group game against the Swiss they wore alternative (Secondary) green shorts, this created a Red v Green look that is something that is not normally seen due to impacts on Colourblind supporters / viewers, with the yellow socks of Cameroon being the only constrast in the two kits.

Group H – 6 Kits

The Group with the fewest kits on show, with just 6 kits used and no variations of kit used. South Korea and Ghana just playing in their Primary Kit, with Portugal and Uruguay using their Primary Kit twice and their Secondary kit just the once in their three group games.

Overall kit highlights from the final round of games…

Canada the only team in Primary, Seconday and Third Kits, first time a Nation has done this in The World Cup since Spain in 2014.

Mexico wore alternative shorts with their Primary Kit against Saudi Arabia, at first glance these appear to the Secondary Kit shorts but although they are also a darker shade of green they have white Adidas detailing in promo shots before the tournament and their use against Paraguay in September, so are these the secondary shorts for this tournament of just alternative home shorts, so why the darker shade of green? One of the Kit Mysteries of World Cup 2022.

Brazil used their secondary kit for the first time in their last group game against Cameroon, this vibrant blue kit is one of the best in the Nike Locker for this World Cup and seeing it action cemented that for me, I also think its the best change kit the Brazilians have had since 2002 World Cup.

That’s it, the Group games is now complete, what are your favourite kits on show and will we see more variations of kits through the knock out rounds?

Let me know in the comments below of over at @Kit_Geek on Twitter

World Cup ’22 Kit Log – Group Stage Round 2

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , 2 Comments

The group stage of the World Cup now reached is final matches, it is time to take a look at the kits worn in the Nations second group fixtures.

The first round of fixtures can be found here

Again, I am not 100% sure whether the “Home” and “Away” kit labels are completely correct when it comes to International Tournaments, I will refer to them as “Primary” and “Secondary” choice kits.

A few stats….

There have been a total of 47 kit used throughout the tournament, out of a possible 64 kits,

We have seen “Primary” Kits (and variations) used 72% and “Secondary” kits (and variations) used 26% of the time and 3rd kit 2% (just used the once)!

15 Teams have worn two kits in the first two group games, with 17 Teams in the same kit for both games.

Group Game 2 Overview….

Primary – 18

Primary variations – 5 (Wales, England, Costa Rica, Spain, Germany)

Secondary – 7

Secondary variations – 1 (Denmark)

Third – 1 (Canada) 

We have seen 15 new kits used in the second round of fixtures.

Groups A and B

Only Ecuador in Group A wore a different kit from their first games, the opposite was true in Group B where Wales were the only team to wear the same kit in both games, their primary with secondary shorts giving an all red look. England in their alternative white shorts, for a second Primary look this World Cup.

Groups C and D

No changes in shirts in Group C with Argentina in default white socks and Saudi Arabia in their full default second kit with green shorts and socks on display for first time the only changes. A couple more changes in Group D with Australia and Denmark both in their second kits, with the Danes using their home shorts to create a “white / red / white” alternative look.

Groups E and F

A change of look for Costa Rica, wore white socks with their Primary Kit, Morocco in their change kit, one of the best of the Puma kits on show this World Cup. It is likely we will see Canada in all three of their kits in this tournament wore their black 3rd kit against Croatia…. and Spain v Germany, well I’ll get to that below!!

Groups G and H

Cameroon in their second Primary kit look, this time with red shorts to give us a more traditional looking kit for the Nation. Only one team in Group H has used two kits, with Uruguay wearing their all white away kit in the game against Portugal

Overall kit highlights from these round of games…

Mexico Goalkeeper provided us with an interesting kit mash up, with red shirt and blue shorts and socks, a look almost Spainish in its appearence.

Spain v Germany was one of the most anticapted matches of the Group stages but from a kit point of view it was a disappointing spectical, with both teams playing in single colours rather than their standard default primary shorts and socks. From my understanding this was not something either Nation wanted but something driven by FIFA.

The French Primary Kit is getting better and better in my opionion, the details of the French “Tricolore” in both the shorts and shirt cuffs, is another little detail that adds to the overall kit, fast becoming my favourite kit of the tournament so far.

Canada, the only team in the tournament not to get a new kit are one of the few teams that have three kits to choose from, appeared in their black 3rd Kit against Croatia, a template kit but a nice looking kit, the National Crest is something that really “pops” on the kit and gives more depth than standard template… note the Goalkeeper is in the current 2022 Nike Goalkeeper template.

Round 2 of games is now complete, what are your favourite kits on show and will we see more variations of kits through out round 3 of games? Let me know in the comments below of over at @Kit_Geek on Twitter

World Cup ’22 Kit Log – Group Stage Round 1

Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

The World Cup is well and truly underway, we have now seen each of the 32 Nations take to the field, so time to have a look at the kits worn so far by each of the teams.

I am still not 100% sure whether the “Home” and “Away” kit labels are completely correct when it comes to International Tournaments, I will refer to them as “Primary” and “Secondary” choice kits.

Groups A and B

A few stats….

For the total of 32 kit appearances, we have seen “Primary” Kits (and variations) used 87.5% and “Secondary” kits (and variations) used 12.5% of the time, with only four Nations in their secondary kit!

Primary – 22

Primary variations – 6 (Ecuador, USA, Wales, Argentina, Spain, Cameroon)

Secondary – 3

Secondary variations – 1 (Saudi Arabia) 

Groups C and D

A part from the Day 1 and Day 2 (which totalled 4 games), we are seeing 4 games a day, so the tournament is motoring along now and it is great to see the kits finally on display.

Adidas wearing coming into the tournament with some of the best kits on show and they have not disappointed in action, with Japan being a particular highlight. One downside from the Adidas Kit point of view was seeing Spain in all red, rather than the default navy shorts and socks, from what I understand this was driven by FIFA and both Spainish Federation and Adidas preferring to use navy in this game.

One thing that seems to have reduced from recent World Cups, is single colour kits… so far there has been only 5 games which we have seen both teams in a single colour for their full kit (I am including Senegal in this who do have a multi-coloured chest chevron), I hope this is something that continues through the rest of the tournament.

Groups E and F

Canada appearing in their first World Cup since 1986 have been dealt a bit a raw deal with their Kit Situation, based on the contract they currently have with Nike means they are the only team at this World Cup that are not in a “New” Kit but one they have had in place since 2021. I am sure this will change in the next Tournament where the Canadians are Co-Hosts.

Groups G and H

Switzerland v Cameroon gave us the unusual site of red v green, often not allowed due to impacts of colourblind supporters / viewers, the contrast in this particular match up was given by just yellow Cameroon socks, normally its the shorts that are changed to give the contrast between the kits.

Overall kit highlights for me…

Argentina v Saudi Arabia Kit Match up, the best so far for me.. Argentina in alternative black socks, Saudi Arabia in Away shirt / Home shorts and socks mash up, what’s not to like here!

The subtle detail in the Wales Shirt… yes it is a template shirt but that does not make it bad thing, the detail works really well and give the shirt a lttle more depth!

Japan’s Primary Kit, a favourite amougst the Kit Community and it’s clear to see why.. the detail in the shirt works well and the use of red trim and yellow numbers also gives the kit a different feel…. could the pattern also be on the back of the shirt, maybe… but we can’t have it all!

Nike have received some critisim for the kits they have produced for the World Cup but the France Primary Kit is one of the best on their roster. I tweeted about how nice it would have been for the boots to be gold here as well, creating a fully complementary kit look with the gold details.

Well, why not… what an image to capture the moment and the kit…!!

Round 1 of games is now complete, what are your favourite kits on show and will we see more variations of kits through out round 2 of games? Let me know in the comments below of over at @Kit_Geek on Twitter

FA Cup 2022/23 – First Round, Kit Review

Posted in GeneralTagged , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

The FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, first kicked off over 150 years ago in November 1871 has now completed its full First Round of the 2022 / 23 season.

The first round was made up of 80 Teams made up from the 48 League One and League Two teams and then 32 teams from the Non-League English Football Pyramid, with Alvechurch FC being the lowest rank team in the round who play in the 7th Tier (Southern League Premier Division Central).

First Round Kit Log

The 80 Teams were provided by 21 Kit Manufactures, with 4 manufacturers only supplying a non league team and not a league team, this give us kit lovers plenty of different kits to admire.

Manufacturers

Puma supplied the most kits in this round with 13 kits, 7 from League teams and 6 from Non League teams, Macron supplying 11 kits with 9 League Teams and 2 Non League Teams

There were 8 Manufacturers that provided just 1 kit in the First Round, 6 suppling League Teams and 2 supplying Non League Teams.

Kit Nerd will notice the likes of Kappa, Canterbury and Uhlsport supplying kits in the competition, all for Non League Teams.

First Round Replay – Kit Log

There 7 Replays in the First Round, only AFC Fylde v Gillingham gave us a repeat in kit match ups from their first ties.

Kit Highlights

I want to call out a few Kit Highlights from the total 47 First Round games.

Oxford United – The game against Woking was originally postponed due to a Waterlogged Pitch but they played each other on 16th November saw Oxford United in a Kit Mash up not seen in the League One this season, with white away shorts paired with 3rd yellow socks to give Home, Away, 3rd Kit Mash up.

Kings Lynn Town – Pink and Yellow is a combination not often seen on the pitch, so when Kings Lynn Town defeated Doncaster Rovers in their away kit, its worthing calling out… a nice combination of colours.

York City – One of the most popular kits of the 2022 / 23 season in the Kit Community, so lets celebrate seeing it in action in the FA Cup

Buxton – In their all Non League tie with Merthyr Town, we saw Buxton in their home kit manufactured by Canterbury, someone who we have not seen in the football world for a few years now and one we will see again as Buxton moved through to Round 2.

Let me know your favourite kits from this season’s FA Cup First Round at either the comments section below or over at Twitter – @Kit_Geek

Champions League 2022/23 – Group Stages – Kit Overview

Posted in GeneralTagged , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On Wednesday 2nd November, the Group Stages of the Champions League wrapped up for another season this was over a month earlier than we normally see due the upcoming World Cup starting in November and concluding in December.

In true Kit Geek style I wanted to take a look at the kits worn by the 32 teams competing in these group stages.

Overall Kit Stats:

  • 81 Kits worn in Group Stages – 96 games
  • 36 Home Kits (29 first choice / 7 variations)
  • 26 Away Kits (21 first choice / 5 variations)
  • 15 3rd Kits (11 first choice / 4 variations)
  • 4 “Cup” Kits (3 first choce / 1 variation)

Group A

  • 10 Kits worn in the Group
  • Napoli only team to use Home, Away and 3rd kits, including Champions League only “3rd Kit”
  • Rangers in two home kit variations
  • Liverpool Home kit most used, 5 out of the 6 Group matches

Group B

  • 11 Kits worn in the Group – joint most this season
  • Atletico Madrid and Club Bruges in Home, Away and 3rd kits
  • Bayer Leverkusen in two home kit variations
  • FC Porto Home kit most used, 4 out of the 6 Group matches

Group C

  • 10 Kits worn in the Group
  • Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen in Home, Away and 3rd kits – V.Plzen in first 3 games
  • Every team in change kit for away games
  • Each Team’s home kit used 3 times

Group D

  • 11 Kits worn in the Group – Joint most this season
  • Sporting CP in 4 different kit variations, all used in first 4 games and the most used in Group stages
  • Marseille in Home, Away and 3rd Kits
  • Eintracht Frankfurt in Champions League kit (away) for first 5 games, most used kit in the group

Group E

  • 11 Kits worn in the Group – Joint most this season
  • No team wore three different kits (Home, Away, 3rd)
  • All teams wore variations of either Home, Away or “Cup” Kit
  • Red Bull Salzburg in “Cup” Kit in all 6 games, with 1 variation of socks

Group F

  • 8 Kits worn in the Group (fewest in this season’s competition)
  • No team wore three different kits (Home, Away, 3rd)
  • Each team in just 2 kits
  • Real Madrid in change kit in group stages for the first time since 2019

Group G

  • 10 Kits worn in the Group
  • Borussia Dortmund in just 1 kit, only one of two teams this season to do this
  • Sevilla only team to use Home, Away and 3rd kits in the group
  • Manchester City one of 5 teams to use alternative shorts with their home kit this season

Group H

  • 10 Kits worn in the Group
  • PSG in just 1 kit, only one of two teams this season to do this
  • Juventus and Maccabi Haifa in Home, Away and 3rd kits in the group
  • Benfica only team in the group to use a variation kit, with alternative shorts with home kit

Matchday Breakdowns:

Match Day 1

Match Day 2

Match Day 3

Match Day 4

Match Day 5

Match Day 6

Kit Highlights:

Looking at some of my favourite Kit highlights of the Group Stages.

The three teams playing at Chelsea in Group E all used variations of socks with their kits

Every game in Group C the away team played in a change kit….

The only two teams to wear just one kit were Borussia Dortmund and Paris St.Germain, with Dortmund wearing their European Cup Kit.

Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique de Marseille in some what a flip / reverse kit match up, each doning all white v all sky blue in their two fixtures.

There we have it, my round up of this season’s Champions League Group Stages, let me know you favourite kits, kit highlights and kit match ups in the comments below or over at @Kit_Geek