Hmmm…these weekly blogs are getting later and later!
Lots going on at the moment though – I’ve been working on kit illustrations for various club programmes and websites – many of these should appear before the start of the new season. I’ll keep you posted on these. Look out for a new regular feature on the site as well – coming very soon.
I was also flattered to be interviewed by the Sheffield Wednesday Vital Football website recently. If you would like to take a look then visit:
http://www.sheffwed.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=156434
http://www.sheffwed.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=156552
I picked up a load of old 70s programmes at the weekend and found a choice snippet in an Ipswich Town programme dated 30 August 1975. It concerns a popular topic on this site, namely the issue of change shorts and colour clashes. This is what the programme says:
“Many Town fans were puzzled when they saw the team wearing blue shorts against all white Leeds United at Elland Road last week. The change is necessary to comply with a new rule recently introduced by the Football League which states that if the basic colours of shirts, shorts or stockings are alike or similar the away club must change. This will make life a lot easier for not only referees but also armchair fans who watch the game on black and white televisions sets. The new rule will mean a change to blue shorts when Town visit Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa among others.”
So, it seems although prior to this it was probably up to the clubs’ discretion whether to change shorts it was the 75-76 season when the rule came into being.
As a Scotland fan I was interested to hear that Diadora have gone into administration. The firm have often come in for criticism in recent years regarding the quality of their kits but going by their Scotland shirts that I own I always though they were pretty good. Still I often cast an eye over new designs and think that would look good as a Scotland kit. I’ll get a chance to find out now! Nike or Umbro would be nice…
Also sad to see that Canterbury in Europe has gone into administration as well. With all due respect to Diadora I think this is a huge loss as I have been very impressed by their strips since they broke into football apparel. The quality of Canterbury products is superb as well – although they are not cheap – but you get what you pay for. Apparently the firm is still going outside of Europe (and in New Zealand of course where they originated) but I believe all club contracts have now been cancelled. Its a real shame.
Finally, as I mentioned a month or so ago I hope to start adding and updating all the kit illustrations that appeared in the two volumes of True Colours on to the site. The dilemma I have is how to present them. I have three background options (although they won’t look exactly like this and I’m not sure of the final size) and I’d really value your opinion as how you’d like to see the kits displayed. If you have a spare moment and want to let me know what you think I’d love to hear from you.
Option A has the faded stadium background as used on the Sheff Wed kits elsewhere on the site, Option B has a grass background as used on the classic kits on the right hand side of the site and Option C has just a plain white background.
2 kit manufacturers going into administration at the same time is sad news indeed, especially as it then ultimately means less variety in kit design. I too have liked a lot of the Cantebury designs and will miss their unique logo.
As for the backgrounds John, I’m torn between the stadium and pitch. While it could be argued that anything other than the white background takes away from the kits themselves, I feel it’s perhaps too stark. I like the stadium one as it provides a nice backdrop while not encroaching too much on the kit, though I also like the colour inherent in the pitch background. My only reservation with the pitch is the possibilty it could be too much colour and may not look great with green kits? I also feel the kits look slightly more illustration like and less realistic as the pitch itself is clearly an illustration and not a photo like the stadium…if that makes sense to anyone but me?
That said, the more I look at the pitch one, the more I like it…sorry…not much use that!
On the last point, I think I’d go for option 3 – the plain white background. Nothing to distract from the kit… that’s my philosophy!
Agreed, plain background so the focus is on nothing but the kits.
stadium background.
Personally I prefer a pitch as the background John.
Stadium background for me. Not that it helps, completely mixed bag so far!!!
Hmmm….interesting. Thanks for your responses on the backgrounds so far. Looks pretty split at the moment!
its a shame to see the smaller manufacturers go into administration as they make very good kits,
on the background note i think option A, with the stadium background on it looks more stylish
The stadium background does it for me. With only subtle shades of gray the background does it’s job and allows you to actually focus better on the kit image. The pitch background is too striking a colour and the pure white background although simplistic to the max and will please many, I feel doesn’t do justice to the slick kit designs and for the overall presentation factor.
I’d go with the third option too, to avoid distracting too much from the beauty of the actual kits.
Sorry for late entry -been on holiday. Plain White for me as it doesn’t distract fromthe kits.
Plain white please!