Admiral

In the 1973-74 season, pioneering sportswear brand Admiral changed the British football landscape forever with the introduction and sale of the first ever replica shirt. The move sparked an explosion in football design, manufacturing and culture from the early 1970s through to the present day, a journey that in 2024 has been chronicled in this commemorative, coffee table-style book. Blending newly commissioned photography with archive images, original design sketches and contributions from collectors, the book also features: recollections from players and managers who have worn them, including Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer Sue Smith, Peter Shilton, Roy Hodgson, Viv Anderson, Mark Hateley, and many more; longer-form essays on notable kits and their context from some of football's best writers, including Harry Pearson, Rob Bagchi, Daniel Gray, Jacob Steinberg, Ian King, Andi Thomas and Ian Plenderleith; contributions from famous fans including Maisie Adam, Mark & Paul Watson, James Brown and Guy Mowbray; academic insight into the design, manufacturing and socially pioneering nature of shirts from Professors Jean Williams and Andrew Groves; and a comprehensive illustrated Admiral kit directory by designer John Devlin. Admiral's long-term impact on sporting culture is undeniable. This is a must-have book for football fans, shirt collectors and designers alike.