Tag: Puma

The Heat Press – Issue 16

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Time for Issue Number 16 of The Heat Press – a brief roundup of news in the Kit World and Kit Community, to catch up on Issue 15 click here

The Headlines

  • 2022 / 23 Kit Launches
  • RKC Waalwijk Charity Kit
  • Manchester United x Adidas – 1990 / 92
  • FC Barcelona Kit Mash up

2022 / 23 Kit Launches

It is that time of the year when the Kit Launches have begun, now I am sure that will not be able to keep up with them all over the coming months but let’s give it a go with this week’s launches…

Liverpool (Home) – Liverpool, a team who traditional launch their home kit around this time of the season, normally debuting their new Home kit in their last home game, although not confirmed I expect to see that happen against in final game against Wolverhampton Wanderers…

The Nike kit sees a return to plain red, although there is nice detail in the shirt and the cuff are one of favourite part of the shirt. Also this is the first look at the Nike Goalkeeper Template for next season, Liverpool opting for the “Lilac” version of the kit…

Walsall (Home, Away, 3rd) – Walsall, who produce one of my favourite kit sets of 2021 / 22 season, which allowed 10 Kit variations to be used as the kits were designed to be whole kit set (a very happy Kit Geek Here) have launched their range of kits for next season already, again produced by Errea see the home kit being in all red, with no confirmation of the full look for away and 3rd kits but I would expect all white and all black, again giving us potential mash up options.

Barrow AFC (Home / Away) – Barrow AFC are the first team to release new kits from a new kit supplier, moving from Joma to Puma. Both shirts are an interesting look, with the home in particular something new using two shades of blue and white to create the look, the away being a black with a star like / paint splatter pattern (depending on your view).

Bayern Munich (Home) – One of Adidas flagship teams Bayern Munich have launched their home kit, a team that often mix up their look at home, will next season go for a shirt that includes white horizontal stripes, which are of various thickness..

RKC Waalwijk Charity Shirt

RKC Waalwijk played in special shirts their match against FC Groningen.

The shirts were designed by a 10 year old fan and were auctioned, the proceeds will go to Villa Pardoes, a charity that suports ill children and their families with holidays. Quite possibly the first shirt to include a snail in its design….

Manchester United x Adidas (1990 / 92)

It was confirmed this week that Adidas will be re-issuing their home shirt and goalkeeper shirt from 1990 to 1992, the designs look faithful to their originals and will be part of the Adidas Original range, the Goalkeeper shirt is a real highlight for me, not often we see these shirts reproduced.

FC Barcelona – Kit Mash Up

Although not their first team, FC Barcelona “B Team” wore a mash up of their current away kit with home shorts, for an interesting and likely a one off look…!

And Finally….

What’s happening in the Kit Community.

I like to end each issue with some of the “going on’s” within the Kit Community.

The latest Football Kit Podcast is now out, Episode 10 see Les, Denis and I return to discussion about Templates, each nominating a “Template of Doom” and “Template of Worship”, you can find the episode here or Download from your Podcast App of choice and remember to subscribe, like and give your feedback!

I was lucky enough to be give a very limited edition shirt this week, to celebrate the launch of his book “Kit and Caboodle”, Matt Riley has designed and got produced a limited number shirts. There is a competition to win one of these shirts, where you need to guess the attendance of Exeter City’s game against Port Vale on 7th May, so be quick and get your guesses in!

The book can be pre-order now here

On Thursday 5th May, there was an evening dedicated to all things Football Shirt Design, with our friends at Spark Academy along with Subside Sports and The Anfield Wrap. Although the event has now passed, there are some great videos and chat from members of the Kit Community to check out on the Subside Sport Timeline, with another friend of ours Chris Chats Shirts making some wonderful videos so those of us that could not attend the event still get a feel of the goings on and feel part of this great event.

Let me know your thoughts and comments and if there is any content that you would like me to share in future issues, please message me and let me know the details or use the comments field below or contact me over on @Kit_Geek on Twitter

Kit Log – Euro 2016

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To coincide with my “Debut” Podcast appearence on the latest Kitted Out Podcast talking the Nike Vapor Template and Kits worn at Euro 2016, I thought I would pull together a Kit Log from that Tournament, so look back at the kits worn and some of the stats behind the kits.

Euro 2016, was hosted by France and change of format saw it become the largest European Championships to date, with the tournament being expanded to 24 teams from the 16 team that had been in place for the previous 5 tournaments dating back to Euro 96.

In terms of kits, the “Big Three” manufacturers, Nike, Adidas and Puma supplied 20 of the 24 teams qualifying for European Championships!

Kits Stats:

  • 24 Teams
  • 55 Different Kits Worn
  • 7 Kit Manufacters (Nike, Adidas, Puma, Joma, Macron, Umbro, Errea)
  • Adidas – 9 Countries
  • Nike – 6 Countries
  • Puma – 5 Countries
  • 10 Countries wore three different kit combinations
  • Only 3 Countries wore the same kit in all their games

Looking at bit more detail into the Countries kit choices, taking each Group at a time and their progress through the Tournament.

Group A

Euro16_A

Hosts and eventual finalists France, one of the six countries to wear the Nike Vapor Template only change from their first choice “Home” Kit once, this was kit that we discussed at length on Kitted Out Podcast where they could not wear their initial “Away” kit which broke the UEFA Equipment laws by having two different colour sleeves.  The Kit worn in the tournament, had almost grey looking sleeves instead of the red / blue in the original design.

Albania, who in their first ever tournament appearence also created a first by wearing Home, Away and 3rd choice kits in their three group games, something that I do not believe we have seen in an International Tournament before with Countries normally having just two kit options.

Group B

Euro16_B

England, another team with Nike Vapor Template and one that was seen by many to be a controversial choice. I am probably in the minority of England fans that liked it, it was something different and I always like to see experimentation in Kit design and this was possibly Nike’s biggest risk in the International market. The Home and Away kits were both used through the tournament but unfortunately this kit will likely always be remembered for exit at the hands of Iceland.

Wales, who reached the Semi Finals had one of the standard Adidas Templates for their home kit, however their away kit was something different with the use of the fluorescent trim really popping from the two toned grey hoops.

Group C

Euro16_C

Ever efficient Germany wore their Home kit in all of their six appearances, with the only variation being the use of white socks in their Quarter Final match against Italy.

Ukraine, one of the three teams (All wearing Yellow) to wear the same kit throughout the Tournament.

Poland, wearing probably the least adventurous Nike Vapor Template, no risks in colour choice, no alternative sock choice just the standard colour choices in place and an away kit that many England fans would have happily swapped for one used by the Three Lions!

Group D

Euro16_D

Group D is all about Turkey for me, another Nike Vapor Template and one of the more interesting designs, with a mesh like appearance in the shirt blending to black shorts / socks. They wear also one of the teams to wear three different kit combinations in their three group games, mashing up home shorts and socks with their away kit, for me the best use of Vapor Template seen on show!

An honourable mention to Spain and their away kit which contains an interesting pattern on chest and shoulder, which is to reflect the heat map of their winning goal at Euro 2012 scored by Fernando Torres.

Group E

Euro16_E

It was all about Belgium’s away kit for me in Group E, my favourite kit of the tournament and one that paid homage to the Belgian cycling team with the Belgian Flag being used as a chest band across the cyan shirt! It was used three times in their six games with both black and cyan shorts, both looks working in my eyes!

Italy (as Belgium) used three different kits in their six games, with two home kit combinations used, their stylish away kit only used on their opening game.

Group F

Euro16_F

Tournament winners Portugal, the final team to wear the Nike Vapor Template kit, also wore three different kits in their six game with their home kit being one of the best fits in colour combination of the template.

Iceland’s kit produced by Errea deserve a call out, not only a tournament to remember for their progress to the Quarter Finals but a simple, yet unique kit with the use of a single stripe made their kits stand out from some of the generic templates used by several nations.

Austria wore three different kit combinations in their only three appearances at Euro 2016.

My favourtie 5 Kits worn

Belgium Away (with black and cyan shorts)

Turkey Home

Euro16_TURh

Italy Away

Euro16_ITA

Turkey Away with Black shorts

Euro16_TURa

Iceland Away

Euro16_ICE

Euro 2016 Fixtures

An overview of the kits worn by tournament fixtures.

10th June 2016 to 18th June 2016 (Group games)

Euro16_1

19th June 2016 to 3rd July 2016 (Final Group Games to Quarter Finals)

Euro16_2

6th July 2016 to 10th July 2016 (Semi Finals and Final)

Euro16_3

Well there we have, let me know your favourite kits worn through out Euro 2016 and of course make sure you check out the latest Podcast from Kitted Out discuss these kits and The Nike Vapour Template.

A final thank you to Ollie from Kitted Out for intiviting me on to his Podcast and giving me an opportunity to talk about football kits, please use the link above to check out Kitted Out back catalogue, some wonderful football kit conversations to listen too.

 

 

Kit News, Edition 1 – A Hummel renaissancei

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Kit news is coming thick and fast, so I thought it was a good opportunity to have a look at what we have seen over the past few days in terms of Kit News.

Confirmed Kits

Middlesbrough – Hummel have delivered a look in the new home kit for Middlesbrough that is a return to a classic look for Boro and one that synonymous with the club.

Inter Milan – Striped kits are always difficult to deliver something new or give a fresh approach to the design, however Inter Milan are a club that often looked to do this over the years and this effort from Nike for 2019/20 is something different and does stand out from the others

Cambridge United – A new Kit deal for Cambridge United with Hummel and the first home Kit is a real classic in design, a clean and simple look on The U’s traditional amber and black. Looks like Hummel will be bigger players in the kit market in 2019/20 and if what we have seen so far is anything to go by we should be in for a treat.

Leicester City – The launch of Leicester City’s away and 3rd kits was no surprise with these kits leaked a few weeks ago. The Away, a pink version of the kit worn by Germany in 2018 World Cup and 3rd Kit, a dark grey version of the Adidas Tiro 19 template. After the introduction of their new home kit in the final game of the season, this completes the kits for the Foxes in 2019/20.

Olymique de Marseille – OM in the second season with Puma have seen the launch of their new home kit sees an introduction on sky blue pinstripe with an all white kit. The kit is also being marketed as 120th Anniversary kit.

AS Roma – Nike have returned to a more classic look for AS Roma this coming season, with the traditional red shirt being paired with white shorts and red socks. There is some “lightening” detailing on the collar, inspired from Roman iconography, which is also continued into name/number fonts for the season.

Ipswich Town – Quick to move on from their recent relegation from Championship, Ipswich Town have launched both their new Home and Away kits from Adidas, both kits from the Adidas template catalogue and the away sees a return to red/navy stripes. A big change with the kits is the sponsor, moving away for black and pink logo to a plain white one that fits with the overall aesthetic of the shirt. It is also worth highlighting that the Children’s versions of the kits will have a local charity as sponsor.

Preston North End – The final kit that I am looking at this first edition of Kit News, is the Nike kit for Preston North End, this template looks like a return to Nike Legend template, most known for its use by several teams in 2002 World Cup, this particular version really reminds me of the England Rugby Union kit worn when they clinch the World Cup in 2003.

Other News:

  • Aston Villa after a solitary season with local designer Luke1977 (which delivered some amazing kits) have signed a 3 year deal with Kappa
  • Burnley FC are rumoured to be wearing Umbro next season after leaked photos seen on Twitter
  • Millwall to have a brown away kit based on their sponsor, chocolate manufacturer Huski
  • A new badge for FC Nantes
  • Leaked Arsenal / Adidas kits
  • New sponsor for PSG

I will follow up with Edition 2 over the coming weeks, let me know your thoughts at Twitter @Kit_Geek or on the comments below.

Arsenal – The Wenger Years

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The curtain on Arsene Wenger’s time as Arsenal Manager is about to come down, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back at the kits worn through out his reign in a little more detail in my own little way.

AW_Years

The Kit Stats

Manufacturers – 2 (Nike and Puma)

Home Kits – 15 (11 by Nike and 4 by Puma)

Away Kits – 18 (14 by Nike and 4 by Puma)

3rd Kits – 9 (5 by Nike and 4 by Puma) – this does not include 3rd shirts that were previously used as away kits.

One thing to note hear is the kit policy that Arsenal, unlike many other clubs in 1990’s and through the majority of the 2000’s had a longer life cycle for their kits, with Home kits often being used for two seasons and away kits being used as 3rd kits in following seasons, giving them also a two year life cycle.

This policy meant that during Mr Wenger’s 22 season reign, there was a total of 42 kits, where there could have been 66 used if Home, Away and 3rd kits were changed every season.

The Sponsors

1996 to 1999 – JVC

1999 to 2002 – SEGA (as Dreamcast for Home Kits, 3rd Kits and SEGA Away Kits)

2002 to 2006 – 02

2006 to 2018 – Emirates Airlines (as Fly Emirates)

Some of my Highlights

There are several kits that spring to mind over these 22 years but the special kit used for the final season played at Highbury (2005 – 06) was a real stand out, possibly as it was so different.  Based on the kit worn at the club’s first season at the ground in 1913, however the was some question over whether this was the actual colour worn at that time but the 2005 version proved to be a big hit with fans and kit lovers across the Globe.  The “Redcurrent” colour also proved a popular addition to the Arsenal kit palette, featuring in one form or another in home, away and 3rd kits over the next couple of seasons.

arsenal_H

Other kits that for me are worth “honorable” mentions.

Away and 3rd Kits from 2007/08, these were two kits that had the “Redcurrent” influence and again was something different from the kits and the colours used in previous years for the club.

2012/13 Away kit, which was also registered as 3rd kit in 13/14 but I cannot find any evidence of it being used, this kit introduced purple into the Arsenal colour palette and was reminiscent in design to 2007/08 with the use of hoops (or horizontal stripes depending on your preference).  Again something different and something that really stands out from the normal in terms of design.

arsenal_12a

Any kit highlights from you over the Arsene Wenger years, is there one that holds special memories, the Invincibles Season, the Champions League Final of 2006, let me know?

All “white” on the night…

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There has been some controversy over the past week with Puma’s release of the their International teams away kit portfolio ready for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.  Those more eagle eyed of you out there will spot a trend in these kits…..

…..they all have white shirts.

puma

There have been some reports and comments of this being “lazy” designing but is there more too it than that.  Over the recent years we have seen more and more tendencies for kits to be released as a group. Cast your mind back to the 2010 World Cup when the Nike kits (including England’s Umbro kit – then owned by Nike) were showcased as a whole, then of course the Nike Vapour wear template launch again giving kits in the Nike stable an overall identity and moving into club kits we have seen similar ideas in particular with Nike’s recent 3rd kits across some of the major European teams, so it should not be a surprise other manufacturers want to tap into this idea.

However, can we trace this back further by moving to another sport, In American Football (NFL), where historically most teams wore their club colours at home and the away team wore a white version of their “uniform”, it seems this was due to games being televised and creating a dark v light contrast for black and white television in the 1960’s.  Although we have now moved on to Ultra 4K HD where to core reason behind this is no longer an issue, there is still some remnants of this in the current NFL ruling when it comes to team uniforms…

….a team’s home jerseys must be “either white or official team color” throughout the season, “and visiting clubs must wear the opposite”. If a team insists on wearing its home uniforms on the road, the NFL Commissioner must judge on whether their uniforms are “of sufficient contrast” with those of their opponents. The road team might instead wear a third jersey….  

Whether this choice is good or bad, they certainly have achieved something that will stand out as a whole in the tournament, push the brand before the country in some cases and has got people talking about this choice, which from that point of view is a win for Puma and their team of designers.