England – Page 20 – Football Kit Geek

Journeyman Series #2 – Peter Beardsley

Oct 5, 2018Oct 5, 2018Posted in Journeyman SeriesTagged Beardsley, England, Football, Kit Geek, Kits, Liverpool, NewcastleLeave a comment

The Journeyman Series returns, taking some time to look at one player and some of the kits worn through-out their Journeyman career.

Journeyman Series #2 – Peter Beardsley

Peter Beardsley is a name that you would not automatically think of as a Journeyman Player but a closer look at his career shows he played for 11 different clubs between 1979 and 1999 (this involved two spells at two different clubs) across three different Continents.

Whilst being a player that will often be thought of for his playing days at Newcastle United, Beardsley is one of the rare players that has played for both Liverpool and Everton, as well as both Manchester United and Manchester City.

Added to the spells with Newcastle between 1983/87 and 1993/97, Beardsley also had two spells at NASL’s Canadian Team Vancouver Whitecaps, firstly in 1982 and returning in 1983 after his short, often forgotten spell at Manchester United.

As well a club career that spanned 20 years, Beardsley also represented England at Senior and “B” level, winning 59 caps and scoring 9 goals across 10 years including playing key roles in Mexico 86 and Italia 90 World Cups.

A selection of kits worn by Peter Beardsley for the teams he represented.

* on loan from Parent Club

Some kit highlights:

Vancouver Whitecaps, 1982

NASL, what a time for a Kit Geek.

This in terms of NASL kits was a fairly conservative offering by Vancouver Whitecaps, there was also an “2nd” kit which was this kit with the colours reversed also worn by Beardsley during his two spells at the club.

Newcastle United, 1996

One of the classic kits of the 1990’s, the first kit produced by Adidas for Newcastle United was simple but very effective and one where the sponsor also just worked perfectly with the kit, coupled with a unique away kit (which is what the 2018/19 Newcastle United away kit also based on).

Manchester City, 1998

For me this kit falls under the bracket of “Kit Perfection”, a truly wonderful Manchester City kit created by Kappa (remember it was the late 90’s, the perfect storm of Oasis, Manchester City, Kappa), although this was not a successful time on the pitch for the club, they will certainly be remembered for this beauty (and its sister away kit of navy and fluorescent yellow stripes – another kit which influences the club’s 2018/19 season’s away kit).

Liverpool, 1989

At the time the biggest club in country, Liverpool took to the field in one of their classic kits, the late 80’s is where football kits seemed to shift to another level in terms of design, this Liverpool kit is one that will never be forgotten and again another kit that pair with its “Silver/Grey” away kit is a favourite for Kit Lovers and Liverpool fans alike.

England, World Cup 1986

Finally, Peter Beardsley wearing one of my favourite England kits, the 1986 World Cup version of the home kit produced by Umbro, this was slightly different from the Umbro produced kit worn between 1984/87 to help combat the Mexican heat but all in all a great kit worn Beardsley at the start of his England career.

There are several other kits worn by Peter Beardsley that deserve an honorary mention, at Newcastle United, any of the silver Umbro kits, the Asics home and away kits of the 1993/94 season, the Everton kit (NEC sponsored) kit of the early 90’s to name just a few.

What are your Kit highlights for Peter Beardsley over his career?

If you have a Journeyman that you would like to see featured in this series, then please let me know.

EFL, Kit Log 2018/19

Aug 9, 2018Posted in EFLTagged EFL, England, Football, Football Kits, Kit Geek, Kits, League One, League TwoLeave a comment

The EFL kicked off last week so that gives me 72 teams kits to look at, so lets keep this brief and look at some of my kit highlights:

The Championship

Bristol City’s 2018/19 kit selection
West Bromwich Albion’s Yellow/Green “Change” kit
Middlesbrough returning to Hummel
Blackburn Rover’s home kit
Queen’s Park Rangers’ Pink Away kit

League One

Charlton Athletic’s away kit, another Hummel beauty
Plymouth Argyle making green work in home and away kits
Gillingham’s 125th Anniversary (3rd) kit
Bristol City’s Home and 3rd Kits
AFC Wimbledon kit selection

League Two

Colchester United’s camouflage away kit
Forest Green and their Hummel home and away kits
Newport County’s simple but effective home and away kits
Carlisle United (A), Exeter City (3rd), Grimsby Town (3rd), Port Vale (A) rocking purple kits
Lincoln City’s home kit, stripes and pin-stripes

This is a work in progress and I will continue to update as we move through season.

I will also be keeping a log of the kits worn within the Championship, similar to what I have done in The Premier League over previous seasons – Premier League Kit Log – END OF SEASON UPDATE

Let me know your favourite kits in the EFL.

England and some “Sky Blue” thinking….

Jun 11, 2018Sep 12, 2023Posted in GeneralTagged England, Football, Football Kits, Kit Geek, Kits, Sky Blue, umbro7 Comments

When talking about kit perfection, for me there are a few things that spring to mind, Manchester United’s “Newton Heath” 3rd kit from Umbro, 1984 French Adidas kits and England wearing Sky Blue to name a few. So I thought I would take a little bit of time to look back at those wonderful kits worn by the Three Lions.

England have only ever had five Sky Blue kits, all produced by Umbro and only worn a full sky blue kit only 4 times, with two of these kits not making an appearance with the Senior team.

Kit 1, 1970

England wore three different kits in the 1970 World Cup and their group game against Czechoslovakia saw them in a Sky Blue kit for the first time.

Umbro reproduced this kit in the early 2000’s (yes, I brought and still have one) but the reproduced version included a number 6 on the back but in white, not the red numbering used with the actual kit.

Kit 2, 1986

The second Sky Blue kit was again produced as part of a kit package for a World Cup staged in Mexico, this time in 1986. However the full kit was never worn but we did get to see the shorts and socks in the Quarter-Final match up against Argentina where arguably the full kit could have been worn.

In fact the kit would not have been out of place if used in the last 16 game against the red and white stripes of Paraguay.

Kit 3, 1988

The third kit seen, was the 1988 3rd kit from Umbro. At this time all three England kits had the same template. This is my favourite of the all the Sky Blue kits that England have but unfortunately did not see action with the Senior Team, it did make an appearance for the U21’s though.

However the Senior Team did pose for this wonderful team photo…. which I also use as my cover picture on my twitter account (@kit_geek)

Kit 4, 1990

One of the most famous Sky Blue England kits and only the 2nd time that England wore a full Sky Blue kit in a Senior game, this kit made its one and only appearance in the 1991 in the Euro 92 qualifier against Turkey.

This kit was also part of the Italia 90 World Cup kit line up and was famously worn in the video of “World in Motion” by New Order front man Bernard Sumner.

The shirts design and pattern also formed part of the England training kits at the time and was often seen here with just a large central Umbro logo within the shirt.

Kit 5, 1992

Arguably the most famous of the Sky Blue England kits and I would say in many people’s eyes one of the most popular of all England kits not just the blue ones.

This kit also is the only Sky Blue kit to be worn more than once, making two appearances in 1992 against Czechoslovakia and Spain. The shirt, including it’s “Three Lions” is what makes this such an iconic kit.

Although Sky Blue has featured on several other home and away kits over the past years, I hope that the colour will be revisited as main kit colour in future, unlikely I know given that the “rules” state that second (or third) choice kits should be a contrast to the first choice kit and not sure that Sky Blue and White fit that model however as a simple kit geek I can hope…..!!

Sites I used to research this article:

Historical Football Kits

England Football Online

England Kits at World Cups

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018Posted in World Cup Kit LogTagged England, Football, Football Kits, world cup2 Comments

2018 World Cup fever is just starting to ramp up, I though the time would be right to look at some of the kits worn in previous tournaments by the Three Lions.

England’s first World Cup was in 1950 hosted by Brazil and where they played only the three group games with the second of these games being famous for a defeat from the USA, wearing second kit at the time which was royal blue (the first of only two times that England would wear blue shirts at World Cups.

In 1954 England only played group games with very little change to kit, the only variation from the normal “home” kit was in the third game of 1954 where red socks were used instead of regular blue socks and by the team the 1958 tournament came around, red socks were part of the standard kit, however in 1958 a play off game against the Soviet Union was needed to determine who would progress from the group.

In 1962 was the same shirt as 1958 but for the first time paired with navy blue shorts and white socks and as an alternative all white. This World Cup was also the first time that England wore red, with an all red strip worn in the third group game against Bulgaria.

1966…… well the pinnacle of performance at World Cups on the pitch and many argue the pinnacle of kits too. The iconic kit that was also used in 1970, England wore their “home” kit in all games (with all white combo in Quarter Final match up with Argentina) and of course famously wore their Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks combination in the final against West Germany.

Moving on to 1970, again the holders wore the same kit as the previous tournament but this one had a subtle difference with an Airtex (little holes) in the kit to help the temperature and humidity at Mexico, there was also a third kit used (for the one and only time as a full kit) which was Sky Blue.

England failed to qualify for next to tournaments, so the next time they would appear was in 1982, the kit landscape was starting to change at this point (see my review of the kits worn in Spain 82 here. Admiral were now the supplier and produced one of the all time classic kits in terms of design for the tournament. With both red and white shirts worn, this really proved a hit with fans and one that will often be seen in crowds now at England games.

1986 saw a quick return for the Three Lions to Mexico, again a special kit was created by Umbro which was designed to combat the conditions. England only used their “home” shirts here, however in the quarter final against Argentina, this shirt was combined with the third kit’s sky blue shorts and socks for a unique combination never to be seen again. (for a full Mexico 86 review click here.

In Italia 90, again another tournament fondly remembered by England fans, they only used their home kit (in 7 games, the most games played by England in a single tournament), having registered both away and third kits for the tournament. (Kit Log – World Cup, USA 1994)

After missing USA 94, England next qualified for France 98, with classic mid 90s design from Umbro, wearing both home and away kits within their group and then using an all white kit in the game against Argentina in the first knock out round, this was the first time England had worn all white at a World Cup since 1970. (Kit Log – World Cup, France 1998)

2002, the first (and so far only) tournament to be co-hosted, Umbro introduced a red stripe down the home one side of the home shirt. The away kit is also worth a mention as it was marketed at the time to be a reversible shirt with a Navy Blue “training / leisure” shirt on the inside for the replica kits, I am going to assume that the player version were missing this feature of the shirt. (Kit Log – World Cup, Korea/Japan 2002)

2006, again saw red play a feature on the home shirt, this time in the form of a cross on the shoulder, the away kit only made one appearance and there was an element of gold in this kit, with gold fonts and numbers used as part of the kit.

2010, saw Umbro produce a kit that brilliant in its simplicity, a change saw the “home” kit become all white for the first time and was the flagship kit for the “Tailored by Umbro” range, the kit was paired with an equally elegant red away kit and although was initially partnered with white shorts but was used as an all red alternative through the tournament.

Finally this review brings us to 2014 tournament in Brazil, one where FIFA introduced single colour kits for all teams (apart from those that stripes, etc…. and Brazil)…. England’s kits for the first time were made by Nike at World Cup tournaments, and their all white home kit had a subtle pinstripe and a royal blue “tick” and badges, this was the only kit worn at the tournament.

For Russia 2018, England are returning to more traditional colours with navy blue shorts for the home and return of a red away kit with white shorts, red socks combination.

Any favourites or thoughts on England’s World Cup kit history?

Remembering Ray Wilkins

Apr 4, 2018Nov 29, 2021Posted in General, Kit HistoryTagged England, Football, Football Kits, RIP, WilkinsLeave a comment

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Ray Wilkins, he was one of my first footballing heroes, as a child in the 80s he was one of the first players I knew that played abroad, the memories of Mexico 86 World Cup, seeing repeats of that Cup Final goal and career that went on and on both off and on the pitch.

I always enjoyed listening to him talk about the game and finding him insightful and felt like I learnt something from him.

So I want to pay my respects in the only way I know how to, in a selection of the kits he wore through-out his career, Rest in Peace “Butch”

England, Kit Review

Mar 26, 2018Mar 26, 2018Posted in GeneralTagged England, Football, NikeLeave a comment

I always like to see a new kit in action before making any decisions about my thoughts on it, the promotional pictures and marketing details are for me only a taster of a team or this case Country’s new wears, its when we see it action that we can see the design in all its glory.

So on Friday 23rd March, England’s Senior Men’s team kicked off in the next range of “Home” / “First” kits ready for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

My first impression from its initial launch was that this a return to a more conservative approach to kit design, the previous kits which for full disclosure I was a fan of and thought was a great effort at something different for England. However this is more of a classic “England” design, seeing a return to the blue shorts, the first time since 2013/4 kit (the first Nike design had England had). These short are one of the aspects of this kit which I really like, the detail in the shorts with the “Tonal” England crest and Nike tick, give a nice balance to shorts and tied in with the red numbering really works for me.

The return of red numbering is one of the key elements here that I really like within this kit, probably one the designers wont thank me for but red numbering is one of the elements of an England Kit that I do not think should change. This is the first time this has been seen since the 2012 Umbro kit (the all white version with only Red design elements included) and the first time with the traditional blue shorts since Umbro’s 1999/2001 kit – I had to check and double check that, as it did not seem to be that long ago!

Other aspects of the shirt which work for are the subtle flashes of colour within the shirt, the red collar line around the neck and the Blue within the Crest also seems to the badge “pop” more than other shirt of recent years. The only thing that does not work for me is the placement of the number on the front of the shirt, I feel a more central position would balance the shirt, the number seems too low in its current spot.

Overall, for me this is a good look for England, a return to a more traditional look but with some nice nods to the past, as an England fan let’s hope that this kit is linked to more happier time on the pitch.

What are you thoughts on this kit?

Kit Log – FA Cup, Quarter Final Update

Mar 19, 2018Posted in GeneralTagged England, FA Cup, Football, Football Kits, SoccerLeave a comment

FA Cup Quarter-Final weekend has now been and gone, so time to update the Kit Log for 2017/18 Cup….

I started logging kits from the 3rd Round, so below you will see the 74 games we have seen so far since 5th January.

Special call out to Reading, as I am sure you will remember had to change their shirts to their orange away shirts at half time in the 3rd round replay against Stevenage in January due the kit clash.

The only question risen from the quarter-finals was Chelsea’s choice to wear their black 3rd kit against Leicester, rather than their white away shirt which would have created a greater contrast to the home kit of their opponents.

Kit Log – World Cup, Mexico 1986

Mar 13, 2018Mar 15, 2018Posted in World Cup Kit LogTagged England, Football, Football Kits, Kit Geek, Kits, Mexico, Soccer, world cup3 Comments

The Greatest ever kit (?) and hooped shorts….

In 1986 24 teams headed to Mexico, who stepped in to host the tournament when Colombia where no longer able to host the 13th World Cup and the first nation to host the tournament for a second time. As in 1970 the heat was a factor into the style of shirts worn by the nations taking part with lighter fabrics and even the return of some Airtex Shirts, yes Argentina I am talking about you…

A format change from the previous tournament and one that is the basis of the tournament that we see today, six groups of four teams with top two from each group qualifying and the four best third placed teams also qualifying for second round, for those that can not remember that far back (lucky you), think Euro 2016 and you will have an idea of the format.

One thing to call out straight away is Scotland’s shorts, as far as I can remember the only hooped shorts to grace the international arena and for me probably my favourite shorts ever, in fact this whole Scotland kit from Umbro is a thing of beauty.

The second highlight…. Denmark, a pair of kits that always gets a mention in the “Greatest Kit” debates, but more on that to come….

Other kits that deserve honourable mentions, France followed up their classic 1984 kit which we seen rebooted several times over the years with an under-rated pair of kits, another unique pair of Algeria kits, however this time with a Red Away kit. Iraq with a Sky Blue / Yellow kit collections, I believe these kits where chosen as lucky colours rather than being linked to history.

The eventual winners Argentina also had two classic kits, each taking their place in history with two of the greatest goals seen in World Cup History in Quarter Final against England (Away Kit) and the Semi Final against Belgium (Home Kit).

Denmark – Who wore four different variations of their classic kit, maybe one of the reasons it became so famous was its inter-changeability (if that is a word????)

England – The Quarter Final against Argentina is my first memory of watching a World Cup game, the 9 year old me was in awe of the whole spectacle, the memory of the giant spider shadow on the centre circle, Gary Lineker’s goal and that cross by John Barnes that seemed destined to be put away for Lineker’s 7th goal of the tournament but no… 6 goals for my hero and an exit from the tournament but this kit left a mark on me, for those who follow me on Twitter will know my love of England in Sky Blue and this my friends is the reason why….

Oh and I did not mention the Hand of God once….. oops!

Kit Log – World Cup, Spain 1982

Mar 12, 2018Mar 23, 2018Posted in World Cup Kit LogTagged 1982, Admiral, England, Football, Football Kits, Kit Geek, Kits, Soccer, Spain, world cup1 Comment

With the next World Cup just around the corner and over the next few weeks we will see the full complement of kits that will grace this tournament, I thought I would take some time and revisit some previous tournaments, starting with Spain 1982.

The tournament took place between 13th June 1982 and 11th July 1982, now from here I will not waste any of your time with the references to the games and the eventual winners Italy (or the controversy that surrounded the team before the tournament), those details can be found elsewhere and in much detail and accuracy than I could provide, all we are looking at here are the kits…. who wore what and against whom!

So my friends, I give you The World Cup, Spain 1982…

One thing to note about the tournament was the format, this was very different to what we see now, in this version of the World Cup the initial group stage (six groups of four teams) was then followed by second group phase that saw four groups of three teams with the winners of each group progressing to the Semi-Finals.

In terms of kits, you will notice a lot of pin-striped kits, most of these where Adidas kits and something of a popular template of the era and took us from the very plain kits of the 70s into a more vibrant age of football kit design. A couple of things that immediately spring to my mind when creating this log was the use of different kits in the same colour for a couple of countries. Both New Zealand and Czechoslovakia had both plain and pinstripe white kits over the course of their participation of the tournament.

England, not only did they remain unbeaten in the tournament but also had one of their iconic kit designs, which is instantly recognisable to football fans and was arguably a high point in the kit designs of Admiral.

There was also some interesting kit designs from Algeria and Belgium, who sported the classic tramline kit from Admiral, however this was transitional period for kit design with many countries including winners Italy remaining faithful to their historical kits and keeping it simple, however that was all about to change…..