Today, Manchester City are a powerhouse of football, the sky-blue Cityzens known worldwide, from their iconic stars, famous manager and dominant performances across all competitions. However, City have also flirted with the lower tiers in English football, and during the 1980s were suffering from a serious decline. However, during the 1988/1989 season, City once more found success, as they earned promotion back to the First Division, after finishing just behind Chelsea in the race to the Second Division title. The below kit, was the famous away kit the Cityzens wore, during this historic return to the First Division.
As seen above the kit is largely patterned with red and white horizontal stripes, not dissimilar in colour to Manchester City‘s away kit for the 2023/2024 season, however, the stripes add a more retro look.
(Above left: 88/89 retro away kit. Above right: 23/24 away kit)
The old circular badge and lack of branding gives the kit a more historic look, whilst the Umbro sponsorship is faded neatly within the red and white colouring. Finally, the blue collar adds not only a nice contrast, but is also a reminder of the sky-blue home colouring Manchester City are so well known for. This 88/89 kit is a completely different look to the away kit of this season, a true piece of history, both in design and significance to the success of Manchester City Football Club. A kit well worth its price.
