Scotland are known throughout the world for their navy shirts, soon to be revamped courtesy of the SFA’s deal with adidas. But throughout the 1880s, 1890s and the first decade of the 1900s they also occasionally sported a different home strip of pink and amber (officially known as ‘primrose’) hoops – the racing colours of racehorse owner Archibald Philip Primrose, Lord Roseberry, who was an early patron of the game north of the border in the late 1880s.
The unique colour combination was resurrected as a change strip (illustrated) after World War 2 when it made a handful of appearances. Contrary to popular opinion, as far as I can see, the kit’s last appearance was not in 1951 but actually 1949 against France at Hampden Park.
Results were pretty good in the Roseberry colours and I for one would love to see it brought back as a Scotland change strip by adidas. As well as its individuality it would bring tradition and pride back to the Scotland side as it rebuilds after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Worn in: The 1949 2–0 win over France.
Worn by: Willie Waddell, George Aitken and Billy Steel.
Interestingly this kit would be illegal under present day criteria as my understanding is that FIFA guidelines are that a kit cannot contain more than 3 colours (excluding badge and sponsors logo). I don’t know when the rule was introduced but would be interested if anyone out there does know.
I’ve heard of that rule too, though I believe there are some exceptions, i.e. Germany, which has White as main colour then often has the flag colours as trim.
I think if by any chance the SFA brought back the Roseberry colours they should pair the jersey with white shorts and socks.
Easily way round 3 colours problem: claim shirt is ‘change/3rd’ kit and socks are ‘home’ kit. Works because I doubt many will allow the SFA to drop the navy home/yellow or white away shirt combo.
Also how do you explain Spain’s red shirt(w/blue, yellow trim) with white shorts combo? i.e. vs england
Brasil should be another exception; yellow/blue/white all with green trim.
I thought the 3 colour rule applied to just the shirt?
From FIFA’s guidelines:
6.2. No kit item worn by an outfield player (shirt, shorts and socks) may contain more than four colours. This provision also applies to the colours used for letters and numbers (player’s name, number, etc.). Furthermore, one colour must be clearly predominant on the shirt, shorts and socks. In the case of striped or chequered shirts, one of the colours must be predominant on the other kit items.
6.3. The main (predominant) colour must be visible to the same extent on the back and front of the kit item in question.
6.4. The colours of the official kit must be noticeably different from and contrasting to the colours of the reserve kit.
Quite interesting the amount of detail this goes into..
http://www.fifa.com/mm/51/54/30/equipment_regulations_2005_e_1797.pdf
Seems to mention ‘colour’ many times but not ‘shade’. Am I wrong? I suppose any grey areas are picked up in the approval stage.
Does explain why/how teams can bend the rules using combinations though.
I’d assume a different shade would be regarded as a separate colour, though that’s an interesting point. Would they allow a graduated shading pattern as one could argue it was many colours?
Ireland’s away at World Cup 94 was like that Rich, so I guess they must, unless laws have been tightened since
Denis, I believe that shirt (the green graduating stripes, whcih was a great kit!) actually employed a speckled effect to obtain the graduation, therefore it was technically only 2 actual separate colours in varying degrees as opposed to a graduated green fade…similar to a black and white photo comprising varying degrees of black dots. The famous holland 88 shirts employed a similar effect, as did Ipswich’s home kit from the 90s.
Fair enough Rich, i think you’re right on reflection!
Before the 1960’s Scotland only ever changed the shirts in the event of a colour clash, hence the Lord Roseberry shirts were used with the shorts and socks from the home strip.
If the SFA were to resurrect the primrose and pink, the shirts would be complimented with shorts and socks to complement the full kit set, rather than use shorts and socks from, say, the home kit.
I’m sure FIFA’s four colour guideline was implemented to stop teams wearing an outrageous amount of colours in their kits – I know some African teams in the 90’s went a bit mad, but under those guidelines surely the current Dutch kit would be falling foul of them, with the shirts being orange with red, white and blue on the collar, and sky blue socks.
I think the primrose/pink kit would work with either navy trim/shorts or white trim/shorts to be honest. Of the top of my head though with very few exceptions adidas don’t tend to go use past kits as inspiration though do they? Can’t see the Roseberry colours ever coming back but I would love to see them.
Good point on the Dutch kit though…
Case in point from my last post.Scotland even in 1949 wearing an ‘away’ strip at home!.Yes someone had to change when both Scotland and France wear blue of different shades (especially with the black and white filming they had then).Is it just me or am I being overly synical when I assume the French turned up at Hampden with only their home kit and expected to play in it?.Someone should have sent them off to the nearest sports shop to buy a full kit …..one that scatches the nipples!!!!.
On another site the shirt is set with navy shorts and socks and looks great. It would also mean that the change shorts and socks could be worn with home shirt.