Thanks for clearing that one up, the Rank Xerox kit was identical but just with a different sponsor right? Like I said, I'm too young to have seen anything other than the odd photo, I just really love the kit and like you mentioned, it coincided with our highest ever league finish.
I like the 80-85 kit (all of them in this period look the same apart from the sponsors to my eyes.) I remember swapping something with another kid for this shirt (The Draper version) when I was in primary school Of the others I hate the 93-95 shirt. The collar is really really itchy. I wore the hummel one the other day to the birth of my daughter Favourite shirt at the mo is the Friends provident light blue away one with the dark blue and white trim. Feels really nice. From my shirts the 93-95 seems to be the first of the 'not going to fade material' where prior to that they all fade, bobble easily and the black/white on the felt sponsors bit is now a mucky taupe/stone combo. My hummel one is almost pink and white these days. lol. But still uber cool retro gear. Andy
I hated the Dimplex one, almost embarrassed by it...though Le Tissier decided to 'own the look,' as well as the ball. So in some ways it's like a (rubbish) band name, ie: 'The Beatles' Tbh...imo there's a 20 year period, where by in large, we didn't have a decent kit (inbetween the anicent Adimirasic period and the modern Umbro era) I liked both seasons L1 home kits and the RANK XEROX classic
Best kit has to be the early 80's Patrick kit with the Rank Xerox and Air Florida sponsor - heady days for us with Keegan, Channon, Wallace, Williams, Moran, the list goes on.... and an iconic kit. I really liked the away kit at the same time, exact same design in two shades of blue. Just a trainspotting footnote, i remember Southend Utd and maybe Motherwell also used the same Patrick manufacturer and design for their kits. Also loved the hummel / Denmark World Cup '86 kit of the mid/late 80's (half thin pinstripes, half red - it looked better than it sounds!) - i saw Shearer make his debut in that kit i believe. Great thread.
First shirt I owned was the 85-86 season shirt, I was only 10. Not sure of my favourite shirt of all time - did like the 83-85 style
Still got an original Rank Xerox shirt from Keegan era, no chance of it fitting now though!! My favorite though is the '74 -'76 kit, I've also liked the sash and the '08-'10 home kit before that....did have a lot of the late '70's early '80's kits, not now, wish I'd kept them.........must be a few on here who remember the old Halo Shop opposite the Milton Road end!!
Was the away shirt (or possibly 3'rd shirt) looked like yellow flames, with blue shorts? if so i had that and still got it up in the loft i think!
The 78/80 kit is still my favourite. The first one I ever had as a kid and I've still got it tucked away. please log in to view this image
The Patrick kits were ace. 76 away was ace Sash was ace 78 home was ace The all red cup shirt (86 maybe) was ace too. Somewhere I still have my Dad's circa 73 shirt!
I loved last year's sash. I thought it was smart and (somewhat) unique, plus it got us promoted so how can you not like it. I also think it looked great on the crowd. 20,000 folks wearing that looks better than 20,000 people wearing the current stripes, IMHO. Plus! No sponsor.
