From Le Coq Sportif to Adidas - 11 iconic Sheffield United home kits
Older football fans will remember the days when kits were released every couple of seasons and clubs only had two strips to choose from.
By Ashley Booker
Published 8th Oct 2020, 12:54 BST
Updated 9th Oct 2020, 10:50 BST
But nowadays they are launched every summer, with some clubs releasing a third kit – even though they rarely get worn throughout the season.
Despite this, and whatever the costs, some fans will always rush out to buy a new shirt – whether it’s good, bad or downright ugly.
Here's a trip down memory lane to look back at 11 iconic Sheffield United home kits . . .
Here's a trip down memory lane to look back at 11 iconic Sheffield United home kits . . .
5. Umbro 1992 to 1994
1992 heralded a new era for English football with the launch of the Premier League. It also saw United sport a radical new look for the changing times with a return to the more bolder red and white stripes, complete with laces. There was also a rare comeback for white shorts and white socks, not seen since the 1967-68 season. Unfortunately, the club's spell playing in this kit ended with relegation from the top flight in May 1994. Photo: JPI Media
After Umbro, came Avec. Now we have included this effort purely because it's so different to what had been seen before . . . and since. It almost certainly takes the prize of most memorable but also the ugliest take on the red and white classic in United's history. The red and white stripes were completely ditched for diamonds - or were they arrows? Who knows? A one-off, thankfully. Photo: JPI Media
After a two-year flirtation with Avec and those diamonds - or were they arrows - for one of those seasons, United then teamed up with iconic French kit supplier Le Coq Sportif. The first year playing in the new kit was quite a turbulent one for the Blades, who saw manager Nigel Spackman resign after the club sold strikers Brian Deane and Jan Åge Fjørtoft on the same day - before losing to Sunderland in the Division One play-off later that season. Photo: Steve Ellis
After a single season with Patrick, United and Le Coq Sportif collaborated again and came up with this absolute belter between 2002 and 2004. It was the kit the Blades starred in under Neil Warnock in THAT epic play-off win over Nottingham Forest at the Lane in May 2003. We won't mention what happened at the Millennium Stadium a few weeks later, but what a kit - and not too dissimilar to the classy-looking 1992-1994 vintage. Photo: Gareth Copley