Replica kits - early 1970s

[Gary James]

I think Leeds were the first to copyright their kit so the club earned off every one sold rather than being the first replica kit sold which didn't need club endorsement.

Yes, Leeds do appear to be the first to strike a formal deal with a sportswear manufacturer but they weren't the first to sell replica kits which is the point I was trying to uncover really. I was told that no team prior to Leeds had sold replica kits but that's not the truth - City were certainly doing it in 1972 and possibly many other clubs were doing it earlier.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

SLight aside, but my first City kit was some kind of weird rip off. My Grandma got it me for Christmas, probably about 1978. It didn't have the proper Umbro trim and had some odd badge. I'd love to see it again to be honest. When I opened it I was gutted. I can still remember my Grandma saying "It's the Youth kit" when clearly it wasn't.

 

[johnny on the spot]

I don't know if you know Mark Hodgkinson who wrote "Down Amongst The Dead Men" but I know he has a website so you will be able to contact him.

He talks in the first chapter about how he bought a City kit back then in the very early 70s, in a box from a sports shop.

Dave's spot on, I was reading Hodgkinson's book at the weekend and he talks of his mum sewing a white number 8 onto this shirt. He also makes glowing reference to your book, Gary.

 

[IOWBlue]

Had the away kit in 73/74 season, will try to find photo tomorrow.

 

[beverly hills]

Dont know how much help this is Gary but in 1970, my Mum came home with 3 Red / Black stripe shirts for my Brothers and I.
Procured from a Women who lived near St Willibroads in Clayton.
Mum used to collect the Club book for John Blundells of Cheetham Hill around Hulme, Clayton, Stretford etc so Everything was available in those Areas.
Had to Sew on Numbers, badges etc.

1972 / 73 i had the Malcolm Allison inspired Away kits of White with Red/Blue Sash and also the Navy blue with Red /White Sash.
We won both Games 2-3 @ Spurs in Navy Blue & Everton in White. ( Youtube)
1973/74 season i remember getting one of the Keith Macrae Goalkeeping box sets in all white ( he played at Leicester away in the mud) if i remember correctly. Im sure they did an all red version also and possibly a third colour. Purchased through Shoot magazine or some similar Football Mag.

We used to go Regularly down to Roy Clarkes shop on Dickinson Road or Eric Alexanders shop on corner of Wilmslow Road / Wilbraham Road.
My Brother got the Chelsea away strip of Amber / Blue same as Evertons away around this time.

Cheers

 

[niall'sdiscoshorts]

interesting stuff, Leicester city v Manchester city 26th April 1969 programme has a photo of Leicesters shirt with badge.
Manchester citys shirt has no badge, not sure if Leicester is the answer though.

Manchester city v WBA, March 7, 1970 neither team have a badge on the kit.

Manchester city v Wolverhampton, March 2 1974 ( 1973-74 ) both teams have badges on the shirts.

missing the little snippet in the middle from 70-72.

 

[bluekeith]

this is me I think about 1971 was in a umbro box my mam sewed the badge on bought in a sports shop in tamworth<br /><br />-- Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:03 pm --<br /><br />

this is my track suit that was bought in the co op what a happy christmas picture this is Oh the good old days

 

[citizen_maine]

Bingo - just found an advert in a prog for Sept 1972: "Football Strip Complete £2.30; Football Shirt (Home) 95p" etc.

Away shirt was dearer at £1.30. Socks (stockings) were 45p and shorts were 65p.

For anyone interested tracksuits were £4.65 for size 22in to 26in and went up to £6.80 for 34in.

Boots were £2.25

Duffle bags 90p (I had one of those!)

The programme from my first game - City v Sheffield Utd 23 November 1971- has an advert for the 'New City Umbroset for boys' on the centre page. If I can figure out how to work my scanner, I'll try and post it tomorrow

 

[Gary James]

Bingo - just found an advert in a prog for Sept 1972: "Football Strip Complete £2.30; Football Shirt (Home) 95p" etc.

The programme from my first game - City v Sheffield Utd 23 November 1971- has an advert for the 'New City Umbroset for boys' on the centre page. If I can figure out how to work my scanner, I'll try and post it tomorrow

Just checked my collection - yep advert there for most progs in 1971-72 season. It says the kit's available at Roy Clarke's shop and the Umbroset packaging has a drawing on it that looks like Francis Lee in the red/black strip. It also advertises "City Colours - Sky Blue and White or Black/Scarlet Stripes". The packaging has drawings of players on - 2 look like Franny Lee (home & away) the others seem to be Everton (maybe Howard Kendall), Celtic and Everton away. The away kit sold for £2.40 in 1971-72 in the City shop and the club badge (to sew on) cost 30p.

 

[levets]

I'm hopeful someone out there has a strong memory on what replica kits were sold at souvenir shops and the like in the early 1970s. Back in 1973 (maybe 1972) I was given a full City kit for my birthday (shirt, shorts, socks & boots) and I went with my parents to Donaldons Sports Shop in Hyde to buy it. I remember that it came in a box (certain it was Umbro box) and that it was sold as a MCFC kit.

However, according to many football historians Leeds Utd were the first to sell replica kits in 1974.

What I''m trying to find out now is whether the kit I was bought was properly produced and marketed as a MCFC kit and if so that blows the Leeds replica story out of the water. By 1973 City were wearing a badge on their shirts but my kit didn't have a badge, but I'm pretty certain clubs sold sew on badges for a few years. The Leeds kit had a printed badge but that wasn't exactly the same as the first team wore.

So, does anyone out there have anything to add? Ideally I'd like to find an advert or article which specifically states that a shop is selling the latest Manchester City strip in boys sizes from the early 70s (or before!). If you're interested in seeing what this 1973 (or 1972, but I'm sure it was 73) replica kit looked like I've included it as my profile photo in some of my recent books (such as here: <a class="postlink" href="https://www.facebook.com/GaryJames4#!/photo.php?fbid=10151589077022816&set=pb.289818652815.-2207520000.1378805145.&type=3&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.facebook.com/GaryJames4#!/p ... =3&theater</a> ). The socks, shorts and shirt match totally and I'm sure it had a Umbro label.

That Leeds story is incorrect. I received a City Kit... in a box... for my Christmas present in 1970. It was the Red and Black striped kit. It was bought from Schofield sports.