Neal Heard, the author who literally wrote the book on football shirts, shares insights on his new release, “A Lover’s Guide to Football Shirts,” a project 25 years in the making. Following his cult classic, “Trainers,” Heard dives deep into the world of football kits, exploring nostalgia, design, and the stories they tell.
The Golden Era of Football Kits
When asked about a golden era of football kits, Heard reflects, “When I was doing the book I realised I’m a child of my time, really. I still think kits from the 1980s – like Juventus and Saint-Etienne in 1981 – are gorgeous shirts.” He notes that favorite eras often depend on personal history. Fans in their fifties prefer simpler designs, while younger generations have their own distinct preferences. Italia ’90, with its exotic and new kits, left a lasting impression, fueling his teenage shirt collecting during travels abroad.
Themes in “A Lover’s Guide to Football Shirts”
Heard aimed to capture the nostalgia and intricate details that resonate with fans. The universality of kit appreciation is evident in the book’s broad appeal, garnering attention from media outlets worldwide. He explains, “What I tried to capture is the nostalgia and the small details we all enjoy. I love the universality of appreciating kits – a Polish paper rang me up today, a German paper wants to have a chat, and I’ve heard from people in America and Brazil.”
While some shirts possess inherent beauty, others gain significance through association. The light blue Napoli shirt, adorned with the Mars sponsor and worn by Maradona, exemplifies this. He adds, “Some shirts are just beautiful in themselves, but lots of them – such as the light blue Napoli shirt with Mars sponsor that Maradona wore – can be quite plain. But we all think of a thousand things the moment we see that Napoli kit because of Maradona and what he did in it.”
Even contemporary kits can become iconic, as Heard notes, “Some people don’t like the new Southampton kit, but say they win the FA Cup or there’s a famous celebration – that shirt will be iconic for all Saints fans forever.”
The book also delves into the intersection of politics and football shirts, highlighting the Democracia Corinthians shirt worn by Socrates as a symbol of positive change. “One of the things I found really interesting was the relationship between politics and football shirts. I was really pleased to get my hands on the Democracia Corinthians shirt – it’s a kit hardly anybody knows about, even proper kit heads. It was worn by Socrates, a real idol, and is an iconic shirt that was used to promote a force for good. It shows football and football kits can mean more than all the things we usually go on about.”
Current Kit Trends and Premier League Standouts
Heard observes a cyclical nature in kit design, noting a shift from the wild designs of the ’90s back to simpler styles, but predicts another change is coming. “It’s gone full circle. They’re now so simple after it went bonkers for a while – especially in the ’90s, with splatter paint like Norwich and all those ‘ugly’ kits as we call them – but I think it’s going to go the other way again. They’ll bring back something with a bit of design and a pattern – like Germany in 1990 or France ’92.”
He expresses mild disappointment with many new Premier League shirts, criticizing the trend towards overly tight fits and the reliance on traditional styles. However, he identifies three exceptions: “For me there are three shirts which stand out, which show the direction shirt suppliers should be moving in: 1) Chelsea away – I love the melange small hoops and contrasting neon; 2) Man United away – it’s a great shade of blue that reminds me of the denim-look USA ’94 shirt; 3) Sunderland third kit – I’m a big fan of small hoops and playing around with the third kit, and we need more pink in football.”
The Importance of Standing Out
Heard believes clubs should strive to create memorable kits, even if they don’t go overboard every season. He illustrates, “I don’t think you have to go bonkers every year, but I hardly featured Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the book because – although they’ve won the lot – can you name one specific kit they did it in?” He advocates for imaginative designs while respecting club traditions.
He further explains, “You should always try and make some sort of statement with a kit. Say Liverpool this year, why not put a white band on it, or a chevron, or give it white sleeves? I’m a traditionalist – Liverpool have always played in red, don’t suddenly send them out in pink – but at the same time, use your imagination.”
He emphasizes the importance of preserving a club’s core identity, while still allowing for creative freedom, particularly with away kits. “I don’t think clubs should ever rip it up and start again – like Blackburn in their blue-and-white halves or Bristol Rovers in the quarters. The heart and soul of football has been chipped away at for years, but some things you’ve got to keep. I think that’s why some brands use the away kits to mess about, as it were, and keep it classic with the home.”
Kit Templates and Material Preferences
Heard expresses a nuanced view on kit templates, acknowledging their practicality while noting the importance of color combinations. “I know some people don’t like them, but I’m not against them. Germany 1990 would probably get the most votes for being the number one shirt of all time, but there were a couple of teams who wore that exact same design.”
When it comes to materials, Heard prioritizes comfort and aesthetics, favoring cotton over shiny synthetics. He suggests exploring merino wool as a premium option for both player and replica shirts. “I always want to wear my shirt as a collector and I’ve always worn cotton – I don’t want to wear shiny material. In a perfect world I’d love suppliers to use merino. It breathes and it’s really lightweight for sport, but doesn’t look really shiny.”
“A Lover’s Guide to Football Shirts” is a must-read for any football fan interested in the history, design, and cultural significance of these iconic garments.
