Birmingham City SOS
Posted by John Devlin
If there are any Birmingham City fans/experts out there who know a thing or two about their team’s kits (especially those of a 1970s vintage) I’d be really grateful if you could get in touch with me regarding a bit of research I’m working on. Click here to contact me. Thanks!
The return of the Liver-Bird?
Posted by John Devlin
You may remember an article I posted some time ago about the coincidence of Liverpool’s lack of league success and the omission of the classic Liver-Bird badge on their kits.
You can read the article here: www.truecoloursfootballkits.com/articles/liverpools-league-failures-%E2%80%93-all-down-to-the-badge
I had a good response to the post with many Liverpool fans agreeing with my view that the Liver-Bird should return.
Well according to the excellent www.footballshirtculture.com site it seems that the club are attempting to trademark the Liver-Bird logo, see: www.footballshirtculture.com/200811191946/history/liverpool-want-to-trademark-the-liver-bird.html
Hmmm…I’m not positive, but this indicates to me that we might just see that iconic part of Liverpool’s history back on the team kit for 09–10…
Newcastle United discounted shirts
Posted by John Devlin
I visited the Newcastle Utd online shop today and couldn’t believe that they are currently offering 30% off their 08-09 away and third shirts. 30%!! Great bargain if you’re a Newcastle fan and haven’t bought this season’s kit yet but its a bit of a kick in the teeth if you have already bought one - after all the shirts only been on sale for what, 3 or 4 months, and its already hugely discounted!! I mean there’s still almost 6 months of the season remaining!
I don’t understand the thinking behind this (could it be something to do with Northern Rock’s sponsorship?) - I realise the recession is with us and the club are trying to drum up Christmas sales but surely if this carrys on it will come to a point when any right-minded fan will wait just a couple of monthsafter a shirt is released and then purchase it at a much cheaper price.
Kick-out Bigotry
Posted by John Devlin
You may have noticed a little addition to the right hand column of my site – a link to the Kick-out Bigotry website – and I thought I should just explain why its there.
Kick-out Bigotry is Scottish football’s united campaign against sectarianism and it actively campaigns against religious bigotry, sectarian attitudes and behaviour that tarnishes the Scottish game.
Now, I’m not one for preaching and I may attract some criticism that I don’t know what I’m talking about as I don’t live in Scotland and am not directly involved with the football/religion issues on a day to day, but just like anti-racism campaigns I think this is such a good cause that I just wanted to promote it on my site.
As a Scotland supporter I realise the country’s national side has had more than its fair share of ups and downs but I just wish the country’s football fans could come together and support the team no matter what religion or club the players come from.
Some People Are On The Pitch - Shirt Vote
Posted by John Devlin
I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the truly excellent ‘Some People Are On The Pitch’ website (www.spaotp.com)…but its a great football blog site with just stacks of content and comments and is always well worth a visit.
They have a particular interest in football shirts over there and are currently running a ‘Shirt Legend’ poll on the best Liverpool jersey over the past 40 or so years. They’ve previously run votes on the England and Scotland shirts which have been hugely entertaining. So if you want to recap on the various shirts the Reds have worn and register your vote on the best Liverpool jersey then get over to:
http://www.spaotp.com/2008/11/shirt-legend-liverpool-home.html
I’ll be getting my thinking cap on and putting in my two pennorth as well…
Liverpool v Arsenal 1971 FA Cup Kits
Posted by John Devlin
Ever wondered why in years gone by you often found two clubs battling it out in an FA Cup semi final or final both in their away kits? (e.g. QPR v Spurs in 1982) Well, maybe its only me then, but it did happen quite frequently in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
I found this snippet in a 1971 Birmingham City programme that casts some light on the subject. It refers to the 1971 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Liverpool (the match in which Charlie George helped the Gunners to a memorable double):
“Liverpool will play in their normal all-red strip at Wembley. That was the surprise decision of the FA after a turnabout on their own rules. FA secretary Denis Follows held a private toss of a coin with one of his assistants after deciding to waive the rule which states:
- Where the colours of the two competing clubs are similar, both clubs must change unless alternative arrangements are mutually agreed by the competing clubs. -
Liverpool were tails and won the toss. As a result they will play in their normal red colours and Arsenal must change to their reserve strip of yellow and blue.”
So there you have it - the rule in those days was that if their was a clash both clubs must change strips!
Backpass Magazine
Posted by John Devlin
I was very flattered to be asked to contribute to the retro football magazine Backpass recently. I was vaguely aware of the publication but now I’ve been sent a couple of copies I have to say I’m absolutely hooked. I really recommend it.
Its an essential read for anyone interested in football history and who misses the intelligent and informative editorial approach of the likes of Shoot magazine in the 70s and 80s.
The magazine focusses on the 60s, 70s and 80s and is packed with really good articles and photos. Its not a comic - its a serious football publication aimed at football supporting gentlemen (and women) of a certain age, something which I think the football world needs at the moment.
To find out more visit: www.backpassmagazine.co.uk and look out for future issues which should feature more on the iconic kits of the 60s, 70s and 80s. As well as being available online, I believe the magazine is also sold in newsagents and certain WH Smiths.
Coventry City Away Kit 08-09
Posted by John Devlin
I would be really grateful if anyone could send me any pics of the back of the 08-09 Coventry City away kit. Can’t find anything online and I need to update the illustration for the 08-09 kits page elsewhere on the site.
Drop me a line if you can help out - I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
Goal
Posted by John Devlin
I watched the movie ‘Goal’ again the other night on DVD. I know its come in for some stick as being a bit cheesy and predictable but I have to say I love it! I think is a really entertaining film which perhaps gives some insight to the background of a football club. Sure, there are a few factual errors concerning transfers and fixtures but it does have large doses of real emotion and excitement which more than makes up for it.For those of you not familiar with the film, the basic plot concerns a young, poor Mexican lad, Santiago, who is working in LA when he gets discovered playing football by an ex-Newcastle Utd player and brought over to England for a trial with the club.
The film portrays the conflicts Santiago experiences with his working-class family in LA before his arrival in Newcastle where he then encounters the very different English game complete with thuggish defenders, a playboy teammate who leads him astray into the world of night clubs and drinking and of course a love interest (played by Anna Friel). Will he make the grade? Rent the DVD and find out!
There’s cameos from several Newcastle players of the time (including Alan Shearer) along with Beckham, Raul and Zidane. Plus the film is heavily supported by adidas whose Newcastle kit, naturally, features prominently. Which leads me on to the point of this blog…
One thing I noticed was how the filmmakers used the iconic black and white stripes of Newcastle Utd to maximum effect. (WARNING PLOT SPOILER FOLLOWS) Every single game Santiago plays before his final (glorious!) game of the season features Newcastle wearing their away kit - even though many times there is no colour clash. Only when the last do-or-die game arrives (the climax of the film) does the side get to wear the stripes.This really adds drama and impact to this all-important game and yet again shows the importance, emotion and power a football kit can have.
What’s new on the site
Posted by John Devlin
Theres plenty coming up on the TRUE COLOURS site - I’ve added a new section on 08-09 kits (see top navigation) which will feature detailed illustrations of this season’s kits for all the sides that are included in both volumes of TRUE COLOURS. These will be added over the next couple of weeks.I’ve also got some more retro kit features that I hope will be of interest (especially for those of us the wrong side of 30!) and a couple of very exciting exclusives - more on those later.
