Sometimes the stars align and something magical happens when you least expect it. We reckon such a phenomenon happened way back in 1987/88 when a collection of football shirts were released that would influence kit design for decades to come.

We’ve picked nine of our favourites from that season – all of which have gone on to become bonafide grails, now worth ten or 20 times their original retail value. For those looking to invest in football shirts (and with deep pockets), this list is a sensible starting place.

But let’s leave money out of this. These are objects of beauty and romance. They might even be the reason you fell in love with football in the first place.

 

9 – PSV

 

This is peak late-80s adidas. Clean, elegant… snug. Shame there’s no PSV badge, because it’s great, but the Philips sponsor more than makes up for it. A shirt made historic thanks to the team’s success – back in 1988, PSV won the European Cup, becoming the first Dutch team to do so in 15 years.  

Shop ALL Dutch club shirts here.

 

8 – Werder Bremen

 

This elegant jersey from Puma, was worn by Werder Bremen as they claimed the Bundesliga title. The pinstripes, green collar and cuffs, and big sponsor (no idea what Portas is, sorry) add up to make this an absolute belter.

Shop ALL German club shirts here. 

 

7 – Liverpool

 

An understated masterpiece from adidas, this. Liverpool cruised to the title, losing just twice all season. And as they swept aside United, Arsenal and Newcastle, they looked great wearing this.

Shop ALL Premier League club shirts here.

 

6 – Wimbledon

 

One of the great FA Cup upsets came in May 1988 as Wimbledon overcame Liverpool at Wembley. And they did it wearing an absolute banger made by Spall. The yellow shoulders, shiny material and Carlsberg sponsor combine to make this one of the greats.

Shop ALL UK club shirts here.

 

5 – Holland

 

It helps of course that the Netherlands won Euro ’88 wearing this shirt. But come on, it’s a cult classic in its own right. The template – called the ‘Ipswich’ even though the pride of East Anglia never actually wore it – has become the stuff of legend. Oddly, the players didn’t like it at the time - Ruud Gullit said the graphic looked like fish scales. Heathen.

Shop ALL Netherlands shirts here.

 

4 – Aston Villa

 

Back in August 1987, Aston Villa were facing up to life in the old second division. They would go on to make an immediate return to the top flight and did so wearing one of the most iconic templates the game has known. The Hummel design was also used by Southampton, Coventry and Denmark, among others, but we think Villa’s version was best.

 

3 – USSR

 

 

And the ‘Ipswich’ is back. Is this better than the Dutch version? We say yes on account of the massive CCCP on the front. The Soviets had an outstanding team back then – who’d have thought the USSR would be no more just a few years later?

Shop ALL International shirts here.

 

2 – Napoli

 

Is this the coolest shirt ever made? Quite possibly. The sponsor, the fabric, the Ennerre logo, the fact that Maradona wore it and looked like Jesus riding a unicorn. Bellissimo.

Shop ALL Italian club shirts here.

 

1 – AC Milan

 

 

Kappa and AC Milan. Si, si, si. This is, in our humble opinion, the finest Rossoneri shirt ever made – and one of the greatest in this history of the game. Gullit and Marco van Basten looked like gods wearing this – they played like them too, helping Milan win the Scudetto that season.

Shop ALL AC Milan shirts here.