Shirt history
Big shirt
By Sarah Braide
July 17 2002
We are getting a new kit next season. It's a pity, because the last shirt was really nice. But the one before that was horrible (apart from the away kit). And back in 1998 we sported the classic hoops design. Will it make a comeback this season?
I think the new shirt is all part of the 'overhaul' of the Sharks (note: not Sale) brand and has the added advantage of bringing in some revenue for the club. But this is a paerfect opportunity to look over the shirts of the last few years and contemplate the future.
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The classic blue and white hoops. The away kit was red and black hoops which was rather dramatic. This is the kit that the amateur Sale FC side still plays in. It is missed by all except those who have resisted buying a new shirt (me until last year). |
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An excuse for a hooped
shirt, introduced in 1998. To begin with it featued the
traditional Cheshire wheatsheaf design on the left
breast. But when the 'Sharks' moniker was adopted, the
wheatsheaf was superseded by the symbol that you see in
the picture. I found this shirt bland, boring and not
worthy of an investment of my cash.
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Now this might be an alternative shirt but as you can see, it is a good deal more striking than the home kit above. Red and black is a wonderful combination and it is a shame that for the following year's kit they abandoned this scheme. There was of course a predominantly white strip with blue hoops as a further alternative - rarely worn on the pitch but quite an attractive garment nonetheless. |
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The demise of the hoops! Despite drawing criticism for its similarity to the previous year's Bath shirt, the new design for 2001 was very welcome. It featured some innovations - the stripes down the arms and the single dark blue hoop - but looked equally elegant on the field and in the stands. At games it was evident that a high proportion of Sale's regular support bought one of these shirts even though it was only used for a season. The away kit, in black with a green hoop and stripes, was even more of a deviation from the past. But if the designers have any sense they will revive the brashly confident red and black combination in 2002. |