When the modern football fan - nationality and affiliation undetermined - considers the football kits of Manchester City, they’d likely reel off a list of iconic recent outfits by, particularly, Puma and Nike. The discerning scholar may even refer to Tailored By era Umbro designs of an FA Cup win and a first Premier League title - or even be aware of double-diamonded 1980s-and-90s classics - but what of Kappa?
This design, here delivered by way of the True Colours drawing board, has an often underappreciated importance. In 1998-99, Manchester City were languishing in the third tier of English football, and a last-gasp Paul Dickov play-off final goal in this navy and luminous yellow/green kit will forever be seen as a launchpad to the barely-rivalled glory the Citizens enjoy today.
The striped shirt, navy shorts and retina-burning socks - a change to the launched navy versions - were all sprinkled with the “lazer blue” Kappa had introduced for the Home shirts, and the iconic “brother” sponsor was front and centre, meaning this of-its-time release nonetheless had a familiar, well-balanced charm as it attained legendary status.
This rendering is the work of True Colours author John Devlin - truecoloursfootballkits.com. Keep up to date with True Colours by following @TrueColoursKits on Twitter.
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