‘Laser Blue’ - What did you think then & now?

Loved the Kappa shirt

It was iconic and even Rags were in envy as Kappa were a designer brand in the 80s

As for Lazer blue I liked it as it reminded more of the1981 colour more than sky blue

But we need to stick true to our colours now which is Sky blue
 
Given how shit we were, I was amazed we managed to get Kappa on board. They were suppliers to some big, successful clubs at the time. It was also a thing of beauty, as was the away.

Loads of Blues about with it on that summer in the places I went on holiday to.

I bought the tracksuit, too. A then mid-20s Blue. I fucking loved that tracksuit!
It was indeed huge to get Kappa. During the 90s the only other club kits they manufactured were a few for Italian clubs (most notably Juventus) and a couple in Spain - I think they did Barcelona for a couple of seasons but my memory might be playing tricks.
It’s hard to explain to younger fans what a big deal Serie A was in the 90s. It was truly the promised land with what seemed like more money than the rest of Europe combined. A bit like today’s PL and La Liga combined. To have City wearing a kit from the same manufacturer as those exotic names you could watch on Channel 4 every Sunday was a bit surreal!
 
When Kappa came in for the start of the 97/98 season they brought in one of the most iconic City home shirts in history. The football at the time might not have been the best but that home shirt stood out as something new & different and was instantly recognisable to football fans across the country.

One of the biggest changes from previous shirts was a new darker shade of blue which was given the name ‘laser blue’. This was brought in because the classic City blue under Umbro had become so pale - almost representing how ill & pale the club had gotten over the years.

The laser blue continued for a few years after, including during our switch to Le Coq during our 99/00 promotion season back to the PL & would ultimately be worn during for the last time in our final game at Maine Road in 2003.

There didn’t seem to be many dissenting voices at the time but in the modern day I could see a change like this leading to fans being up in arms - so what did you actually think of it back then & what do you think of it now?

View attachment 159833View attachment 159834View attachment 159835View attachment 159836
I didn’t like it at all. Our traditional colours were Pale or Light Blue… And I’m a traditionalist
 
Which players do you think of first for each of these shirts?

Me:

1. Kinkladze
2. Spencer Prior (I know)
3. Ali Bernabia
4. Darren Huckerby
 
The away kappa kit (long sleeve) was a thing of beauty too.
GE9LjrZ.jpeg
 
It was indeed huge to get Kappa. During the 90s the only other club kits they manufactured were a few for Italian clubs (most notably Juventus) and a couple in Spain - I think they did Barcelona for a couple of seasons but my memory might be playing tricks.
It’s hard to explain to younger fans what a big deal Serie A was in the 90s. It was truly the promised land with what seemed like more money than the rest of Europe combined. A bit like today’s PL and La Liga combined. To have City wearing a kit from the same manufacturer as those exotic names you could watch on Channel 4 every Sunday was a bit surreal!
Juve and Barca are what I remember. Look, here’s our Pep talking about how he’s going to win the CL with Manchester City in 20 odd years to the real Ronaldo
IMG_0611.jpeg
 
Didn’t like the badge change and the change of blue initially. It then grew on me and it brings back memories of back to back promotions and finally beating United in a very long time. Also Nicolas Anelka scoring at Anfield and Gerrard Houllier looking like he was about to have another cardiac episode as a result of it.
 
Juve and Barca are what I remember. Look, here’s our Pep talking about how he’s going to win the CL with Manchester City in 20 odd years to the real Ronaldo
View attachment 159851
Kappa did quite a few teams. Granted not so much in the UK. Their Italian national teams kits were great.

Good website below to look back on them…

 
When Kappa came in for the start of the 97/98 season they brought in one of the most iconic City home shirts in history. The football at the time might not have been the best but that home shirt stood out as something new & different and was instantly recognisable to football fans across the country.

One of the biggest changes from previous shirts was a new darker shade of blue which was given the name ‘laser blue’. This was brought in because the classic City blue under Umbro had become so pale - almost representing how ill & pale the club had gotten over the years.

The laser blue continued for a few years after, including during our switch to Le Coq during our 99/00 promotion season back to the PL & would ultimately be worn during for the last time in our final game at Maine Road in 2003.

There didn’t seem to be many dissenting voices at the time but in the modern day I could see a change like this leading to fans being up in arms - so what did you actually think of it back then & what do you think of it now?

View attachment 159833View attachment 159834View attachment 159835View attachment 159836
4 names instantly spring to mind when I see those shirts:

Kinkladze, Haaland, Benabia, Anelka.

Good times.
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top