In the first part of a new series we are taking a look back at a year in kits - kicking things off with 2004. It was, in many ways, a remarkable year for football.
Greece lifted the European Championships having never previously won a single game in the competition, Tunisia lifted the AFCON trophy for the first time, José Mourinho guided Porto to an historic Champions League win and Colombian minnows Once Calderas shocked South American football by beating Boca Juniors to lift the Copa Libertadores.
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Perhaps the stand out moment in the world of kits was the introduction of the iconic ‘circled number’ Total 90 kits at Euro 2004. Though four years after its introduction at Euro 2000, Kappa were still producing some of the most stylish kits around with their Kappa Kombat range and Puma memorably outfitted the Cameroonian national side in skin tight, one piece bodysuits.
Cameroon in their famous bodysuits.
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So let’s take a look at what went down in what really was one of the most remarkable years in the history of football - undoubtably it was the Year Of The Underdog.
14th Feb - Tunisia
14th Feb - Tunisia beat Morocco 2-1 to win AFCON for the first time in a standout Puma kit complete with old school collar.
2nd May - AC Milan
2nd May - AC Milan win Serie A in a beautiful Adidas kit best remembered for its iconic gold name and numbering. Buy AC Milan 2004 (a) shirt.
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8th May - Bremen
Bremen win Bundesliga
8th May - Bremen win Bundesliga in one of the all-time great Kappa Kombat kits, complete with ‘Young Spirit’ sponsorship.
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Ajax win the Eredivisie
8th May - Zlatan and Ajax win the Eredivisie in a classy Adidas design.
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15th May - Arsenal
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15th May - Arsenal compete invincible season to win Premier League in a simplified Nike design that ditched the black detailing of the previous efforts in favour of a more classic look. Buy Arsenal home shirts here.
19th May - Valencia
19th May - Valencia beat Marseille to win the UEFA Cup, having already claimed the Spanish league title. It was the first season with Toyota sponsoring the sides shirts as the splash of red across the chest became an iconic look of the 00’s. Buy signed home 2004 Valencia shirt here.
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22nd May - Manchester United
22nd May - United beat Millwall to lift FA Cup in one of the most menacing kits Nike ever produced. A fitting shirt for Fergie’s all conquering Red Devil’s. Buy Manchester United home shirts here.
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26th May - Porto
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26th May - Porto beat Monaco to win Champions League an impressive 20 years after the sides shirts first carried Revigres sponsorship.
26 June - River Plate
26 June - River Plate win Clausera in a design that worked perfectly for Adidas’ 2004 template. Buy brand new with tags, here.
1st July - Once Caldas
1st July - Once Caldas beat Boca to win Libertadores in an FSS design that’s unique collar looks suspiciously close to Pumas template of the year before. Still a great kit though.
4th July - Greece
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4th July - Greece beat Portugal to win euro 2004 - When they entered EURO, Greece had never won a match in a major tournament. Buy Greece 2004 (a) shirt here.
25 July - Brazil
25th July - Adriano inspired Brazil beat Argentina on penalties to win Copa America in the iconic total 90 template. Shop Brazil shirts here.
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26/28 August - USA
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26/28th August - USA and Argentina win women’s and men’s gold at Olympics. The US side being outfitted by Nike with a unique design featuring cut out patterns to the sides.
10th December - Newells
10th December - Newells win Apurtura in a great design by Argentine manufacturer TBS. Buy iconic Newells (h) shirt here.
17 December - Boca
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17th December - Boca beat Bolivar to win Copa Sudamericana in Nikes futuristic double layered template with outer mesh over a solid base layer. Shop Boca shirts here.
19 December - Santos
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19th December - Santos win Brazilian league in a classy Umbro design, albeit one with some pretty out of place sleeve sponsorships. Shop Santos shirts here.
Words by Andy Gallagher