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A History of Everton Football Shirts

Everton are one of English football's most historic clubs, and the famous royal blue shirt has become instantly recognisable throughout the game.

Although the club wore several different colours during its earliest years, royal blue eventually became the defining colour of Everton's home kit and remains central to the club's identity today.

Over the years, manufacturers have interpreted the traditional Everton look in very different ways, ranging from simple round-neck designs to bold 1990s patterns, oversized collars and highly distinctive away shirts.

Brands including Umbro, Le Coq Sportif, Puma, Nike, Hummel and Castore have all produced Everton kits, while sponsors such as NEC, Danka, One2One, Kejian, Chang and Hafnia have become closely associated with particular eras.

The Most Iconic Retro Everton Shirts

Everton's long history has produced numerous shirts that remain highly desirable among supporters and collectors.

Everton Shirts of the 1980s

The 1980s represent one of the greatest periods in Everton's history and produced some of the club's most iconic football shirts.

Under manager Howard Kendall, Everton developed into one of the strongest teams in Europe, winning the First Division title in 1984-85 and 1986-87, the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985.

Players including Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Peter Reid, Trevor Steven, Kevin Sheedy, Andy Gray and Graeme Sharp became synonymous with Everton's royal blue kits.

Original shirts from this successful era remain particularly sought after because of their connection with one of the greatest Everton sides of all time.

Everton 1984-85 Shirt

The Everton 1984-85 home shirt is among the most historically important kits in the club's history.

Everton won the league title in dominant fashion while also lifting the European Cup Winners' Cup, defeating Rapid Vienna in the final.

The classic royal blue design, produced by Le Coq Sportif and featuring the Hafnia sponsor, has become an unmistakable symbol of Everton's golden era.

For collectors, original examples are particularly desirable because of the success associated with the season.

Everton NEC Shirts

The NEC-sponsored Everton shirts of the late 1980s and early 1990s are among the most recognisable retro Everton kits.

The bold NEC logo became part of the visual identity of the shirts during a period when football sponsorship was becoming increasingly prominent.

These kits are closely associated with players including Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Graeme Sharp and later Tony Cottee.

Original Everton NEC shirts remain popular with collectors because the sponsor immediately identifies the era.

Everton 1990s Shirts

The 1990s produced some of Everton's most distinctive football shirts.

As kit design became increasingly experimental, manufacturers introduced unusual collars, patterned fabrics, contrasting sleeves and oversized logos.

Everton kits from this period are associated with players including Neville Southall, Dave Watson, Duncan Ferguson, Anders Limpar, Paul Rideout and Andrei Kanchelskis.

The combination of bold design and 1990s nostalgia has made many of these shirts increasingly collectible.

Everton 1995 FA Cup Shirt

One of the defining Everton shirts of the 1990s is the kit worn during the club's successful 1995 FA Cup campaign.

Everton defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in the final, with Paul Rideout scoring the winning goal.

The Umbro shirt worn during the season has consequently become one of the most memorable Everton kits of the Premier League era.

For many supporters, it remains particularly significant as the shirt connected with one of the club's most celebrated modern trophies.

Everton Danka Shirts

Danka-sponsored Everton kits have developed strong nostalgia among supporters who followed the club during the 1990s.

The sponsor appeared across several distinctive Umbro designs during an era when Everton's shirts featured many of the characteristics now associated with classic 1990s football kit design.

Original Everton Danka shirts are becoming increasingly popular as demand for authentic 1990s football shirts continues to rise.

Everton One2One Shirts

The One2One-sponsored shirts of the late 1990s represent another recognisable period in Everton kit history.

These shirts are particularly associated with the transition towards cleaner football shirt designs around the turn of the millennium.

Players including Duncan Ferguson, Kevin Campbell and Francis Jeffers wore Everton shirts featuring the distinctive One2One branding.

Everton Kejian Shirts

Kejian-sponsored Everton shirts from the early 2000s have become popular modern retro designs.

The period is remembered for the emergence of a young Wayne Rooney, whose performances for Everton quickly established him as one of English football's most exciting talents.

Shirts connected with Rooney's breakthrough seasons have consequently gained additional interest among collectors.

Everton Home Shirts

The traditional Everton home shirt is royal blue, normally worn with white shorts and socks.

The club's blue identity has remained remarkably consistent despite considerable changes in football shirt design over the decades.

Manufacturers have experimented with different shades of blue, collars, sleeve patterns and trim, but the core Everton look remains instantly identifiable.

For collectors, comparing the way different manufacturers have interpreted Everton's traditional colours is one of the most interesting aspects of the club's shirt history.

Everton Away Shirts

Everton away kits have traditionally provided manufacturers with much greater creative freedom.

White, yellow, black and other colours have all appeared frequently, while some seasons have featured particularly bold combinations and patterns.

Many retro Everton away shirts have become cult favourites precisely because they differ so significantly from the traditional royal blue home kit.

Rare away shirts can also be particularly desirable because they may have been worn less frequently than their home equivalents.

Everton Third Shirts

Third kits became increasingly common during the Premier League era and have added another layer to Everton's kit history.

Manufacturers have often used third shirts to experiment with unconventional colours or designs, producing some of the club's most distinctive modern kits.

Because third shirts are sometimes worn only a handful of times during a season, original examples can become harder to find as the years pass.

Umbro Everton Shirts

Umbro has enjoyed one of the longest and most memorable associations with Everton.

The British manufacturer produced numerous Everton kits across different periods, including many of the club's most recognisable shirts from the 1990s.

Classic Umbro Everton shirts often feature the distinctive design characteristics associated with the era, including large collars, patterned fabrics and bold sleeve detailing.

For collectors of British football shirts, Umbro Everton designs remain particularly popular.

Le Coq Sportif Everton Shirts

Le Coq Sportif occupies an important place in Everton kit history because of its association with the hugely successful side of the mid-1980s.

The French sportswear brand produced the shirts worn during Everton's 1984-85 league championship and European Cup Winners' Cup triumph.

As a result, original Le Coq Sportif Everton shirts are among the most historically significant kits connected with the club.

Nike Everton Shirts

Nike produced Everton kits during the early 2010s, introducing a modern and relatively minimalist approach to the club's traditional colours.

The famous Nike Swoosh combined with Everton's royal blue identity created several clean designs that are increasingly entering the modern-retro category.

As shirts from the 2010s continue to become more collectible, original Nike Everton kits are attracting greater interest.

Hummel Everton Shirts

Hummel's partnership with Everton brought the Danish brand's iconic chevron detailing to the club's shirts.

The designs combined traditional Everton colours with one of football's most distinctive manufacturer identities.

Although relatively recent, shirts from the Hummel era are already associated with a particular period in Everton history and may become increasingly nostalgic over time.

Classic Everton Shirt Sponsors

Football shirt sponsors can instantly transport supporters back to a particular season or generation, and Everton have featured several especially memorable names.

Hafnia is closely connected with the successful mid-1980s side, while NEC became synonymous with the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Danka, One2One, Kejian and Chang subsequently became familiar sights on Everton shirts during the Premier League era.

For many collectors, the combination of sponsor, manufacturer and club badge is what gives a retro football shirt its distinctive character.

Legendary Players and Their Everton Shirts

Everton's long history means generations of famous players are associated with the club's shirts.

The successful 1980s team featured club legends including Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Peter Reid, Trevor Steven, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray.

The following decade produced popular players such as Duncan Ferguson, Dave Watson, Anders Limpar and Andrei Kanchelskis.

Later eras featured stars including Wayne Rooney, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman.

Retro Everton shirts featuring original player printing can be particularly collectible, especially when connected with an iconic player or memorable season.

Why Collect Retro Everton Shirts?

Original vintage Everton football shirts provide supporters with a physical connection to the club's history.

Each shirt reflects the design trends, manufacturers, sponsors and players of its particular era.

Older shirts may include details such as embroidered badges, traditional collars, period-specific labels and sponsors that are no longer seen on modern football kits.

As surviving examples become harder to find, certain Everton shirts can become increasingly desirable among collectors.

Rarity, condition, size, sponsor, manufacturer and original player printing can all influence a shirt's collectability.

How to Identify an Original Everton Shirt

When buying vintage Everton shirts, it is worth checking several details to help determine authenticity.

Manufacturer labels, stitching, badges, sponsor application and overall construction can all provide useful information.

More recent shirts may also contain product codes that can be checked against known genuine examples.

Older football shirts can naturally show signs of wear, including bobbling, pulls or cracking to printed sponsors, so condition should always be considered relative to the age of the garment.

How to Style a Retro Everton Shirt

Retro football shirts are increasingly worn away from the stadium as part of everyday fashion.

Everton shirts from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s work particularly well because of their strong colours, classic sponsors and distinctive manufacturer designs.

A vintage Everton shirt can be paired with jeans, shorts or trainers for a simple casual look, while oversized shirts suit the increasingly popular 1990s-inspired football fashion style.

Buy Retro Everton Football Shirts Online

Explore our latest collection of retro Everton shirts, classic Everton kits and vintage Everton football clothing available from TheKitman.co.uk.

Our stock changes regularly as original shirts from different seasons and eras become available, including home, away and third kits from a variety of manufacturers.

Many vintage football shirts are individual items, meaning a particular design or size may not immediately return once sold.

Check back regularly to discover newly added Everton shirts alongside other classic football kits from clubs across England and around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retro Everton Shirts

What is the most iconic Everton football shirt?

The shirts worn during Everton's highly successful mid-1980s period are among the club's most iconic. The Le Coq Sportif Hafnia shirts associated with the 1984-85 league title and European Cup Winners' Cup triumph are particularly significant.

What are the most collectible Everton shirts?

Popular collectible designs include shirts from Everton's 1980s title-winning sides, NEC-sponsored kits, the 1995 FA Cup shirt and distinctive Umbro designs from the 1990s.

Who has manufactured Everton football shirts?

Everton shirts have been produced by numerous manufacturers, including Umbro, Le Coq Sportif, Puma, Nike, Hummel and Castore.

Are old Everton shirts valuable?

Some vintage Everton shirts can be valuable depending on rarity, condition, size, age and demand. Shirts connected with successful seasons, unusual away designs or famous players can be particularly desirable.

Why are Everton NEC shirts popular?

The NEC sponsor is strongly associated with Everton shirts from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its distinctive appearance and connection with players such as Neville Southall, Graeme Sharp and Tony Cottee have made these shirts increasingly nostalgic.

Are Everton Danka shirts collectible?

Yes. Everton Danka shirts represent a particularly distinctive period of 1990s football kit design and have become increasingly popular as demand for original shirts from that era has grown.

What should I look for when buying a vintage Everton shirt?

Check the manufacturer's labels, badge, stitching, sponsor and construction of the shirt. On newer shirts, product codes can also help establish authenticity. Always consider condition in relation to the age of the garment.