The home kits Newcastle United unveiled are a nod to the classic culture of the club.
Kit releases are a weird time. In any sport, it is an instance where people who spill stadium concessions on their shirts, don’t wash lucky shorts, and rarely match, critique fashion. Some of it is wanting their club not to be ridiculed for their jerseys. Supporters also don’t want to be embarrassed to wear their side’s kits. Another piece is it’s another thing for fans to take a strong opinion on, whether it matters much to them or not.
Newcastle United showcased their home kits for the upcoming 125th year for the club. They include a unique crest, with a nod to the 125 years, and a grand dad collar. The numbers will be red, another old school feature. It also is the first look at Newcastle’s new kit sponsor, Fun88, an Asian gaming company.
With certain teams, there isn’t a ton you can radically change on a kit. Newcastle United’s black and white striped look is one of those. For every one person who complains the design isn’t different enough, there would have been 50 people arguing the design doesn’t respect the club’s history.
The kits are solid, but just like always, how a club plays in a kit will determine their historical significance. If Newcastle United get relegated again, these kits will be hated. But, if they have a quality year, and remain in the Premier League, they will be remembered fondly.