More 2012, 2013, and, would you believe it, 2014 kits!?
From the perspective of the Tanner Ba’, this Celtic F.C. 125th anniversary kit is the biggest news in a while (click here if you want a still photo). You all know by now my feeling about the Old Firm (both sides), so you will understand that it’s not easy to put those aside and to simply look at this kit as a suit of clothes and nothing else. I’ll do my best. First off, great commentary from comedian Billy Connolly. Second, Neil Lennon should stick to coaching. Sorry. It’s taken me a while, but I think I love it. At first I felt like the socks were too much (and I normally love hooped socks!), but they’ve grown on me. I also have to say that this kit might actually be better than the one that Celtic wore in the 1888-1889 season. Those were identical except that the crest was on the opposite side of the chest and it was a smaller green celtic cross within a circular red field. I’m sure there are a few of you out there who will have an opinion on this kit and I’d love to hear it. In the meantime let’s take a look at the kit that got me back in the hunt for new ones when I saw it this weekend…
Fulham F.C. 2012-2013 Third Kit
If he didn’t know already I’ m pretty sure that Clinton Drew Dempsey now knows that leaving Craven Cottage for White Hart Lane was the best move he’s ever made. This shirt (and the rest of the kit) is an absolute travesty- when I saw it on television this weekend I was speechless. I love a “sashed” top- the new, killer, Ross County away top for example- but there is nothing good about this one. I think it’s the combination of the copper (it’s not “gold) and white in the sash, they just don’t go well together. Now, add some black shorts with HUGE (of course) Kappa logos up and down the legs and black socks with white cuffs (all black would have worked much better) also with GIANT Kappa logos on them and you have something that looks like it might have been worn (under duress) by a team in the 2. Bundesliga in the mid-1990s. Not. Good.
2012-2013 Real Madrid Champions League Kit
Next I bring you the 2012-2013 Real Madrid Champions League kit and my assurance that this is not a joke- it’s already on sale here, although they are mistakenly calling it a “third” jersey (the Champions League sleeve patch makes it clear that it’s not a third top). The rest of the kit is all green and the same template as the club’s current home and away kits, but that hardly matters- this is terrible. It’s like some kind of bizarre homage to the Liverpool away kits of the 1980s and early 1990s- the only thing missing is “Candy,” “Crown Paints,” or “Carlsberg” across the front. Seriously, click through and take a look at the 1987-1989 gray away kits- change the color to green and voila! Maybe it’s not fair, but I generally hold clubs like Real Madrid to a higher standard when it comes to kits. It can be as simple as sticking to tradition or introducing a new design that will become timeless- which is what Barcelona have done…maybe.
A 2014 Barcelona top?
This Barcelona top has been floating around the interwebs for a while, but until now it was one picture from one source and I’ve been hesitant to suggest it was anything but a rumor. Now, however, I’ve been able to find it from multiple sources, properly branded (Nike), properly sponsored (Qatar Foundation on the front, UNICEF on the back), etc. so I’m going with it. I suspect that it is the 2013-2014 away kit if only because I cannot believe that the club would abandon it’s traditional blue and maroon home colors even for the yellow and red of the Senyera (the Catalan flag). That being said, from a historical perspective I think it would be great for the club to quite literally “wear its colors” in such a prominent fashion. The second “maybe” is that a lot of this kit’s appeal will be determined by what the rest of it looks like (something I have not been able to confirm). My best guess is that it will have mid-blue shorts (more like those, interestingly, that the Spanish national team wears than those that Barca wear at home) and matching socks with some subtle red and yellow accents. Either way, stay tuned.
2013-2014 Colorado Rapids Home Kit
The names of Colorado’s season ticket holders will be printed onto the match versions of this top. That’s the most interesting thing about it. It’s not bad, I won’t say that, it’s just kind of uninspired. Meh. Here are a few of the problems I have with it. First, the banding (they’re not really hoops in my opinion) could have a little more contrast. Second, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, a well-designed sponsor logo on the front could really make a difference by breaking up the vast sea of burgundy that is this top. Finally, I’m disappointed to see no “sky blue” on this top outside of the little bit on the crest. Even replacing just the sleeve cuffs and/or the trim on the collar with light blue could have really made this top pop. Still, that’s MLS, that’s Adidas, that’s boring. I expect nothing less at this point.
For those who might be interested there are also new shirts/kits from Porto, Everton (the top is nice, the rest is crap), Burnley, and Cardiff floating around out there- have a look!
I have to admit I got a bit misty at that. I have a picture of the Lions on the wall of my office. Love the shirt, but then again – I might be a bit biased.
Fulham third, awful.
Barca, they bought Bradford City’s old kits at cheap – saving for Messi’s raise, are we?
Rapids – I love their colors, as to the design…zzzzzz….
So, Barca players can have side jobs at McDonald’s or Burger King? Fab. /printed in internet-approved red sarcasm font
I absolutely love Everton’s third top for this year. The all white with blue text and a full collar have me saving my pennies (and putting it on my Santa list for this year..)
I just wish they’d gone with white shorts as well. I don’t know if you’ve seen, but they went with blue with a wide white stripe on the side. If they’d gone all white it would rival that Leeds, Asics, Thistle Hotels one from the 90s.
The Spurs’ kit up there looks like it is for the Union
Apparently I’m the only one who likes the Fulham change kit. Would it be better if they just had a white sash, or had Nike kits instead of Kappa kits, which would make Kate Moss look a bit overweight if she’d try one on…? Absolutely. But this is miles better than the away kit. It should be their away kit, in truth.
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