Hummel is a sports brand that has had a resurgence in the footballing world over the past few years and the manufacturer is celebrating their 100 year anniversary by producing one their and football’s most iconic kit designs.
The “Mexico” template, most famously worn by the Denmark National Team in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico was also worn by several teams in the late 80s includng English clubs Southampton, Coventry City, Aston Villa and Pisa in Italy.
Several teams across Europe currently supplied by Hummel are being given their own version of the kit this season to celebrate the 100 year anniversary, so I wanted to collect them all in one place… well just because I thought it is only right to have that one place to visit them all in one go!
Denmark
I will start with the spiritual home of the kit design, the Danish National Team who first saw a return to this template with “Red Out” version most famously worn in their Euro 2020 Semi-Final Against England in 2021.
The team have had several Hummel Templates of the 80s and 90s revisited over the past three years, so it was no surprise when there was a return their iconic away kit from 1986 earlier this year and kicked off the 100 Year Celebrations.
Brondby IF
One of the most well known clubs in Denmark, supplied by Hummel, it was always going to be on the cards that Brondby were one of the clubs to showcase the 100 Year Celebration Kits. The design is more a sublte one with slighlty different shades of yellow to give us that iconic striped look.
Coventry City
Coventry City have one of the key clubs in the return of Hummel to the football kit mainstream world, and had versions of this template in 2019/20 seasons with home and away kits using a modern twist to this look.
However this season it will be their 3rd Kit that is part of the celebrations, with this Green and Black version of the kit… at the moment the latest of the kits to be released.
Everton
Everton have been in a partnership with Hummel since 2020 and this is the first time we have seen Grey used as a change colour for The Toffees in this time, a colour that has been used several times over the years since 1980s. This 3rd kit uses a two-tone grey in its design to give a nice look for the template!
FC Koln
The first of German teams to have the kit, FC Koln are using this red version as their away kit this season. It is very similar in design to the “Red Out” kit used by the Denmark team but this one with a round collar, the only playing version of the shirt to do so with more white detailing in collar and chevrons.
Southampton
Probably the most classic in design of all the 100 Year Kits, this kit, like the Denmark Away shirt is a remake of the same kit worn by the club between 1987 and 1989, the remake also goes for the shorts and sock here as well, this is also one of three home kits to use this design.
Malaga
The Spanish Second Division team probably have the boldest designs in terms of colour with their Away and 3rd Kits this season.
Away, combines Purple and Green for what would be an outstanding choice in colour design if it was not for their 3rd Kit…!
3rd Kit uses Neon Green and Neon Yellow, combined with Neon Pink details with Club Crest, Hummel Logo / Chevrons and Sponsor, absolutely my favourite of the 100 Year Celebration Kits!
Real Betis
Real Betis and Hummel is another relationship that goes back to the 80s and 90s, so no surprise when they had their own version of the template for this season. Much more subtle in design than Spanish compatriots Malaga, this all black version is a classic looking kit and with its Green detailing is wonderful looking kit.
St Etienne
Another low key version for French Ligue 2 side St.Etienne, with a predominantly white shirt with a very pale green strip used within the shirt for their away kit, green being the club colours being used here gives a great alternative kit for the team to use on the road.
Werder Bremen
In their first season with Hummel, Werder Bremen will have this home kit. The green and white look for this kit is a look also harks back to the 80s, with rumours of a similar Green Verison of this kit created for Denmark to be used as a 3rd Kit back in 1986. The look perfectly ties in with club colours of the Bundersliga team and finally gives kit lovers the opportunity to see this kit in action.
Wycombe Wanderers
One of four English clubs to have their kits supplied by Hummel, each of them having their own version of this kit. Wycombe Wanderers, also in their first season with Hummel have the “Red Out” look as their away kit, this one does have a similar collar to the Danish version of the kit used in 2021 and Red Chevrons are included!
Equality Shirt
Released on 26th September the Hummel Equality Jersey was created as a limited edition shirt to celebrate equality and inclusion in the world of sports and will be worn by several of the teams mentioned above.
It is yet to be seen how this will be worn but based on last season’s Equality Shirt it is likely to be a “Pre-Match” shirt.
There we have it, 12 shirts from 9 Clubs, 1 Nation and a Pre Match shirt all pulling from an iconic design. It raises as many negative comments as it does positive comments but it drives conversation about kit design and for me that is a positive thing and using templates in football kit design is not a new thing and will always be with us, so lets celebrate when there is a good one and join Hummel in celebrating their 100 year Anniversary.
Let me know your thoughts or if I have missed any kits in the comments below or over at @Kit_Geek I will update the post with the kits missed and of course give you credit for my oversights!
Football Kit Geek - @Kit_Geek 