My Favourite Shirt(s)
By Jonny_C
November 28 2022
I first started coming to London Irish games in 2000 at the Madejski, which was a good choice. Had always been into watching the sport on telly, remembering the red shirted players of Wales in the 1970s Five Nations. Then me and my mates started watch the 5/6 Nations in the Orange Tree in Richmond as tickets were hard to come by.
Living in Arborfield at the time, it was an easy journey to Reading, no brainer as they say.
Here are some memories of my favourite London Irish shirts.
Aer Lingus
My first supporter seasons, I knew we played in green shirts, but somehow managed to buy the black training shirt! It has a long travel history, Reading, Valladolid, Twickenham Powergen Cup Final, Hong Kong Sevens 2005, Melbourne Commonwealth Sevens 2005. And it's made from cotton.
Guinness
I passed over the MG Rover and Citijet shirts, Guinness is more appropriate I think. This has watched some fierce Heineken Cup matches, Tolouse home and away, do remember getting stuck in a bar with some senior citizens miles from the hotel at 3AM with no taxis around and had to force our way back into the bar to cadge a lift.
Bad games in Newport 2002 and Murrayfield 2003.
Lightning Flash
This was just an eBay flash in the pan impulsive purchase. I've tried it on, but a Small size even in polyester doesn't quite have enough "give" for me to wear it.
Waikato Chiefs
This was not a smart purchase. I was in Auckland visiting family at the time, and heard Tom Coventry was our new coach, so in his honour I bought this Waikatio Chiefs polo shirt. It now spends most of the time at the bottom of my t-shirt drawer.
Powerday
My children bought this as a Christmas present, and it's the first non-cotton shirt that I've worn. And it's large enough to wear a cotton t-shirt underneath, so I'm happy. Due to work and family commitments I've not been to many matches recently, a few games in the Championship (Richmond and Ealing). But this has been to one great match last season. Irish vs Wasps at Brentford on 1st May 2022. An exiting first match for me at the GTech. 42 - 42. Not sure of my emotions, happy/sad/bemused. But Harry Arundell didn't half make an impact that day.
Thanks to Haircut 100 for the title.
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Wish we'd go back to Canterbury. Nobody makes shirts like them. Class
Makes you appreciate Canterbury all the more
Made the mistake of getting the green and balck stripped Heineken Cup one when we got smashed by Edinburgh - it shrank lopsidedly after the first wash and the sponsor patches for the car companies are solid on the arms so it wasn't comfortable. Stuck it in a drawer when we got relegated and just bought the next good strip, which was our second Championship away one.
I played in those shirts when I was in U7-U10s ish been looking for one for a while. No worries if not
The “Flash Shirt” size is small.
I’ve tried it on and it was very snug. My other shirts are large.
And do somersault on your head
At Sunbury.
Quote:Jonny_C
Hello Irishman679,
The “Flash Shirt” size is small.
I’ve tried it on and it was very snug. My other shirts are large.
Thanks Jonny unfortunately a small wouldn't get round my big old belly these days
thanks for replying.