To first review the history of the Manchester United kits, one must look back. All the way back to 1892 where the Red Devils were known as Newton Heath. The first kit ever to be worn by the classic English squad was a yellow and green, but at the turn of the century when the name was changed to Manchester United, they began a period of experimentation for the next 30 years. Blue and white, red and white, and all assortments of stripes of these colors were possible options until 1928 when Manchester switched permanently to the red, white, and black colors that have made the Red Devil kits so popular.
Throughout the 50’s, the kits sported certain themes such as “Wembley” emblems, however this soon passed as the United players fell into a traditional red and white collared home jerseys.
In the 60’s, any fashion taken place on the pitch was erased. Mothers and fathers of United fans no longer had to worry abut little kiddies coming home wanting the latest kit. For almost the entire decade of the 60’s, the red devils wore nothing but red tops, white shorts, and white socks. In the mid 60’s they added red socks, but other than that, it was as plain as it could be. It was apparent; the only thing that mattered was how you performed on the pitch, and not how you looked on the pitch.
The 70’s were a cursed era with big floppy hair, long disgusting sideburns, and a tacky get-up, and the kits were no exception. Floppy collars with loose and ugly colors terrorized the United players, but it would all end soon bringing in a new era for the kits of Manchester.
The 80’s sparked a hint of the future, and started the revolution that was using kits as advertisement space. Man U stuck with their tradition red and white kits, while adding a third blue kit, however in the middle of all these was a large Adidas advertisement which changed the sponsorship of clubs forever. Later, the Man U crest was moved to the middle and top of the kit while the advertisement was lowered to the belly area and to the sleeves. This kit still remains one of the most popular of all the kits worn by the red devils.
Since then, not much has changed besides the lead sponsors. Red and white remained the home and away kits, while they alternated back and forth between blue and black for the 3rd kit. A new “post modern” style has been added to all kits, making them more desirable not just for the players, but for the fans sporting them as well. Soccer kits have come a long way, and it’s appropriate that Man U is at the forefront of kit style. Especially due to the fact that more often than not, they’re at the forefront of the football world.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
