With every new kit that blesses a fresh football season, there's another that is consigned to the history books. One more ceases production and becomes a collectible of limited quantity. Like the richest family photo football shirts have the ability to hold on to memories in a truly unique way.
Memories of triumph and failure, hindsight makes each treasure that little bit sweeter. Ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, we dip into the archive to recover this trikot treasure of glorious proportions.
With fashion trends taking a look back to the 90's now more than ever, it's only apt that the first shirt we've rescued from the abyss is a Manchester City gem by Umbro. Over twenty years old, it's a feast on the senses - every element thought after. The button on the collar, the shimmer on the body and the embossed badge; it's a heroic look back at how football kits have developed though hung onto a pretty consistent formula.
Technology and style dominate a contemporary kit and with as much support of these innovations as each sponsor clad number from the noughties, there's a mutual appreciation for both. Each has their place in the modern game. Equally, on top of the topsy-turvy season a classic shirt finds itself attached to, each find like this has a story behind it. This particular shirt, with it's embroidered football league badges and falling away '7' was sitting pretty in a charity shop in Manchester, it's double diamonds glaring. Gawp.
Proper football beauty, that.
