The History Liverpool FC Kits 1896

Standard home kit


			H 1.0

1896-97 Home player shirt long sleeve - not now good image

1896-97 Home players shirt

Manufacturer:

Years worn: 1896-98

In this design home shirt Liverpool in first played in away Division One match versus Sheffield Wednesday, 1-2, 01.09.1896, at Olive Grove.

In general difficultly in detail to write about these years Liverpool FC, but I shall return to this stage of their history and I shall write more in detail. May be all not as, how I has written.

In a season 1896-97 the design home shirt has changed. Liverpool used home shirt one seasons, 1896-97 & 1897-98 (time of use away shirt is probably inexact). Liverpool used home shirt how in all home, as and in more away matches.

H 1.0 - Home shirt with home shorts & home socks.

Tom Watson had already won three championships with Sunderland when he was appointed in 1896. He made some important changes to the way the club was run, including the introduction of red shirts to replace the blue and white quarters.

Liverpool’s game vs. The Wednesday on 1st of September 1896 was not only the first game Liverpool played under new management but also as Liverpool Daily Post reported: “The first game in new red shirts and white pants.” Liverpool had until then played in blue and white. Though Liverpool were sporting a new look, a few familiar faces were still in their ranks. Matt McQueen, Joe McQue, John McCartney and Malcolm McVean also featured for the club in its first season in the Lancashire league in 1892.
Bell set the leather rolling, to the tune of “Play up, Sheffield,” and after he had looked up Storer, the Liverpool forwards, resplendent in their new red shirts, made tracks for Massey, the hardy Sheffielder having all his work cut out to dispose of Ross’s parting shot. (Liverpool Mercury, 02-09-1896)

Interesting what in magazine "Cricket and Football Field" (12-09-1896) was written "Liverpool’s new dress of red shirts and white knickers is striking, and a contrast to Everton’s blue shirts and white knickers."
Before this match, Liverpool played in two Friendly matches versus team "White" (other side Liverpool team or Liverpool Reserves), 20 and 28 August 1896, Liverpool main team may be played in blue shirt or light blue-white quarters shirt.

Have more question, why Liverpool FC change color for shirt, have some variants. If you know rigt answer, please contact us.

1 - Everton in season 1895-96 change color shirt with red-ruby to full blue.
2 - Liverpool with season 1896-97 began to play in Division One, how and Everton, derby games.
3 - Was problems with home shirts last seasons, since after different washings they turned into white shirts, and this created some problems. Read my review of the season 1895-96.

Not any match reports I not to find information about color Liverpool socks, David Moor think what color socks for home kits was red color, possible color socks can was black.

As how I not have photos with matches Liverpool FC in season 1896-97, I used sketches. This fragment of sketch with home Division One match versus Sunderland (07.11.1896).

ABOUT THE KIT 1896/01

Research by Liverpool FC statistician Eric Doig uncovered the first official game when the club wore red. On September 1st, 1896 (the opening day of the new season in Division One), Liverpool defeated The Wednesday 2-1 at Olive Grove courtesy of two goals by George Allan. Local newspaper reports claimed the team wore red shirts and white pants. Our image on the opposite page also confirms the change, the sketch being from November 1896.
The new shirt incorporated a dark red or black stand collar with buttons down the front. The shorts were white, knee length with the socks black. The away version was the same, but with white shirt and shorts (and black socks). ("Tops of The Kops" Peter Crilly)

Leht image was made David Moor, proceeding to this description. Whether the information written in the book (Tops of The Kops) about Liverpool F.C. kits in a season 1896-97 is true, will show time.

In 1891 the Football League required member clubs to register their colours for the first time and no two teams were allowed to wear similar shirts. The following year, when the Second Division was formed this rule was relaxed but home teams were now required to have a spare set of white shirts, which could be used if colours clashed. As write David Moor (historicalkits.co.uk).

This fragment of pre-match photo Liverpool FC with season 1896-97. On this moment I not have any photos with matches Liverpool in season 1896-97. Full photo you can to find on site "The Unofficial Liverpool Football Club Museum" here.
This photo how I think made before one of Friendly match in season 1896-97. Why I as think, simple Joe McQue and Robert Neill not played together not one of official matches.
On Liverpool players here dressed dark shorts, may be black color.

H 1.0
01.09.1896	away	The Wednesday	Division One
03.10.1896	away	Everton	Division One
17.10.1896	home	Sunderland	Division One
21.11.1896	home	Everton	Division One


Home shorts	Home socks
With the description of the shirt, shorts, socks and features. Difference between a player shirt and a replica shirt.

Standard second home kit


			S H 1.0

1896-937 Second away player shirt long sleeve - not now good image

1892-93 Second home players shirt

Manufacturer:

Years worn: 1892-96

In this second home shirt Liverpool in first played in (how home shirt) ...

In general difficultly in detail to write about these years Liverpool FC, but I shall return to this stage of their history and I shall write more in detail. May be all not as, how I has written.

In a season 1896-97 the design second home shirt has changed. Liverpool used second home shirt one seasons, 1896-97. In seasons 1892-93 to 1895-96, this shirt was used how home shirt.Liverpool used second away shirt how may be in away matches. May be Liverpool used with home shirt away shorts & soks.

S H 1.0 - Second home shirt with home shorts & home socks.

Why this shirt from my site have name "Second home player shirt", only for classification of the kits.

On now not work site (liverweb.org.uk) have information what 20 and 28 August 1996, what on pre-season match played Liverpool Whites versus Liverpool Blues, at Anfield.

Practice games get players ready for new season

The first game took place on Thursday 20th August 1896 and attracted a crowd of 15,000, higher than all but one of the regular league fixtures in the 2nd Division the previous season. The ground was reported by the Liverpool Mercury to be in capital condition and players were said ‘to have showed evidence of careful training’, but the result was not recorded.

It was apparent looking at the line-ups though that each side was a mixture of 1st teamers and reserves, with the regular forwards playing together and trying to score against the first choice back line, with the reserve players doing the same. The reason that it was blues against whites was because at that time Liverpool still hadn’t adopted red shirts.

The next practice game was on Friday 28th August, by which time new secretary-manager Tom Watson, had officially taken up his role having travelled down to Liverpool from Sunderland the previous Sunday. This time, the forward lines were mixed up somewhat meaning that the ‘Blues’ were comfortably expected to win as their side contained more regular first team players. However there was an upset when the Whites won 3-0, the Mercury commenting that it was hoped the efforts of some players would be ‘more judiciously directed’ when the season proper began.

© Copyright of site theanfielders.com.

Different understan, but may be used 20 and 28 August 1996, full blue shirt.

15 March 1892, after split in board of directors Everton FC, owner stadium at Anfield, John Houlding with some of other members directors Everton FC have left club. 3rd June 1892, was "Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company, Limited" in a chamber of commerce is officially registered.

We know now what first home Liverpool FC shirt was blue and white (quarters) color.

On this day (March 2017) me know 2 team photos, one whith season 1892-93, to see on my tab "Away player kits" other with season 1893-94, in below. With other seasons 1894-95 and 1895-96 not have team photo.

In museum Liverpool FC have retro home shirt (ileft image) with seasons 1992-93 to 1895-96.

Have also some sketsches of magazines and newspapers for 1892 to 1896 years. One of sketch picture, January 28, 1893. Lancashire Cup at Anfield. In left side top page H 1.0.

Other sketch picture from "Cricket and Football Field", May 4, 1895. The Test Match at Ewood Park. Right image, Liverpool Harry Bradshaw. (all sketches with site Kjell Hanssen, football historian www.playupliverpool.com).

Of sketches we can to see what in museum Liverpool FC, on retro home shirt not right color side., in center retro home shirt which was in museum in summer 2017

Have more questions about Liverpool F.C. shirt.
1. Color: How assumes David Moor (historicalkits.co.uk), colors first Liverpool home shirts were light blue/white and not royal blue/white.
2. Which colors collar and cuffs was on Liverpool home shirt.
3. On all Liverpool home shirts have pocket.

Shorts (knickers) - royal navy blue shorts. Knickers old name shorts.

Socks - they if to see on team photos was combined colors, may be light blue with royal navy blue top.

In the Football League Handbook for the 1895/1896 season it says: "Blue and white shirts (quarters). Royal navy blue knickers." This one of document whet we know about colors shirt and shorts for Liverpool FC. (Image with site fb.com/PopArtPrints)

Written what Liverpool used shirts which was at Aifield in boot room. Only how I understand Everton end used this style shirt in season 1889-90. What in boot room was 50-100 shirts and shorts? I think in summer 1892 was buy new kits for season 1892-93 in football shop "Football King" Frank Sugg (photo below). Interesting what on image advertisement can to see offer shirt ours shirt design.

Else one what you understand, in season 1890-91, Everton used home shirts peach color, with 1891 to 1895, ruby red color. why I write about color Everton shirt, simple this will explain change of color of home shirts of Liverpool to 1896, but about this read in review season 1896-97.

This first team photo Liverpool FC with found club 1892, photo made at Anfield on December 26, 1892. (image with sire lfchistory.net)

This screen shot with video "Pride in the Shirt A History of Liverpools Kits" made club (October 2017) to 125th Anniversary Liverpool FC. More years we think what on black-white photo Liverpool players in white shirts.

ABOUT THE KIT 1892/96

From their formation in 1892 to the end of the 1895-96 season, Liverpool never wore the red kit for which they are now world famous. The actual kit was blue, white and black. The shirt was blue and white halves (similar to Blackburn Rovers' current strip, although quarters have also been suggested) with a button collar. The shorts were black (or white) knee-length trousers with possibly black (or blue) socks and white sock tops.
The away shirt was a white-buttoned shirt similar in style to the home version while the bottom of the garment was sewn up so you would pull the shirt on. The shorts and socks were the same as the ones used for the home strip. ("Tops of The Kops" Peter Crilly)

In 1891 the Football League required member clubs to register their colours for the first time and no two teams were allowed to wear similar shirts. The following year, when the Second Division was formed this rule was relaxed but home teams were now required to have a spare set of white shirts, which could be used if colours clashed. (historicalkits.co.uk, David Moor)

In 2017 year Liverpool celebrait 125th anniversary and club made some memorable shirts Left image retro shirt, right image, replica away shirt light blue-white versia. (image with site facebook.com/liverpoolshirtsmuseum).

The 100 per cent cotton 1892 replica is a long-sleeved polo-style shirt in blue and white with a three-button fastening. The jersey features a red embroidery of the club's original crest, which was found on early documents, to create a unique replica product.

Stephen Done, Liverpool FC museum curator, said: "The original shirts would have been made of very heavy cotton and looked and felt like a classic rugby shirt. They had no names or numbers on the back, and there was no club badge, as was typical of the period.

"In researching this new replica for 2017, a decision was made to opt for a lighter weight cotton to suit modern tastes, but the museum curators undertook careful analysis of the surviving photographic evidence to ensure the blue and white halves are correctly replicated.

Inspired by Liverpool FC’s first ever strip worn 125 years ago in 1892, this special edition away kit incorporates the original light blue and white from the Club’s earliest shirt, updated with a quartered pin stripe repeat. The special edition jersey is in line with the design theme for LFC’s 2017/18 home and away shirts with the use of key iconic kit details from LFC’s rich history. In recognition of this date a limited run of only 1892 shirts will be made available worldwide, each embossed with the special 125th anniversary crest, a feature on all kits in the 2017/18 New Balance LFC kit collection.

S H 1.0
20.08.1896	home	Liverpool White	Friendly
28.08.1896	home	Liverpool White	Friendly

This advertisement (Athletic News: February 8, 1892) football shop "Football King" Frank Sugg. Here can to buy kits football clubs of Liverpool. (image with site playupliverpool.com).


Home shorts	Home socks
With the description of the shirt, shorts, socks and features. Difference between a player shirt and a replica shirt.

Standard away kit


		A 1.0

1896-97 Away players shirt

Manufacturer:

Years worn: 1896-97

In this design away shirt Liverpool in first played in home Friendly match versus Liverpool Blue, 0-0, 20.08.1896, at Anfield.

In general difficultly in detail to write about these years Liverpool FC, but I shall return to this stage of their history and I shall write more in detail. May be all not as, how I has written.

In a season 1896-97 the design away shirt has changed. Liverpool used away shirt three seasons, 1896-97, 1897-98 & 1898-99 (time of use away shirt is probably inexact).

A 1.0 - Away shirt with away shorts & home socks.

On now not work site (liverweb.org.uk) have information what 20 and 28 August 1996, what on pre-season match played Liverpool Whites versus Liverpool Blues, at Anfield.

Practice games get players ready for new season

The first game took place on Thursday 20th August 1896 and attracted a crowd of 15,000, higher than all but one of the regular league fixtures in the 2nd Division the previous season. The ground was reported by the Liverpool Mercury to be in capital condition and players were said ‘to have showed evidence of careful training’, but the result was not recorded.

It was apparent looking at the line-ups though that each side was a mixture of 1st teamers and reserves, with the regular forwards playing together and trying to score against the first choice back line, with the reserve players doing the same. The reason that it was blues against whites was because at that time Liverpool still hadn’t adopted red shirts.

The next practice game was on Friday 28th August, by which time new secretary-manager Tom Watson, had officially taken up his role having travelled down to Liverpool from Sunderland the previous Sunday. This time, the forward lines were mixed up somewhat meaning that the ‘Blues’ were comfortably expected to win as their side contained more regular first team players. However there was an upset when the Whites won 3-0, the Mercury commenting that it was hoped the efforts of some players would be ‘more judiciously directed’ when the season proper began.

© Copyright of site theanfielders.com.

ABOUT THE KIT 1896/01

Research by Liverpool FC statistician Eric Doig uncovered the first official game when the club wore red. On September 1st, 1896 (the opening day of the new season in Division One), Liverpool defeated The Wednesday 2-1 at Olive Grove courtesy of two goals by George Allan. Local newspaper reports claimed the team wore red shirts and white pants. Our image on the opposite page also confirms the change, the sketch being from November 1896.
The new shirt incorporated a dark red or black stand collar with buttons down the front. The shorts were white, knee length with the socks black. The away version was the same, but with white shirt and shorts (and black socks). ("Tops of The Kops" Peter Crilly)

When, in 1896, Liverpool first adopted red and white as their first choice, they also bought a set of white woollen jerseys with black collar for use as a change kit.

In 1891 the Football League required member clubs to register their colours for the first time and no two teams were allowed to wear similar shirts. The following year, when the Second Division was formed this rule was relaxed but home teams were now required to have a spare set of white shirts, which could be used if colours clashed. (historicalkits.co.uk, David Moor)

Difficult say which away kits used Liverpool FC in seasons 1897-98, 1898-99 & 1899-00. I not any photos.

In book "Tops of The Kops" Peter Crilly, have this photo, and written, what this Liverpool away kits for season 1897-98. On photo Robert Blyth, but his in Portsmouth kit. Such my investigation.

A 1.0
20.08.1896	home	Liverpool Blue	Friendly
28.08.1896	home	Liverpool Blue	Friendly


Away shorts	Away socks
With the description of the shirt, shorts, socks and features. Difference between a player shirt and a replica shirt.

Standard home goalkeeper kit


			H G 1.0

1896-97 Home player shirt long sleeve - not now good image

1896-97 Home goalkeepers shirt

Manufacturer:

Years worn: 1896-98

In this home shirt Liverpool in first played in away Division One match versus Sheffield Wednesday, 1-2, 01.09.1896, at Olive Grove.

In general difficultly in detail to write about these years Liverpool FC, but I shall return to this stage of their history and I shall write more in detail. May be all not as, how I has written.

In a season 1896-97 the design home shirt has changed. Liverpool used home shirt two seasons, 1896-97 & 1897-98 (time of use away shirt is probably inexact). Liverpool used home shirt how in all home, as and in more away matches.

H G 1.0 - Home shirt with home shorts & home socks & cap.

What you know, may be before season 1901-02 Liverpool goalkeepers now and other goalkeepers in Great Britain not have shirt, they used shirts field players. And different between goalkeeper and field players was only in one, goalkeepers in a match put on a cap a head, that's all difference.

Why I written "may be before season 1901-02", as how with this season have photos with match when on Liverpool goalkeeper Bill Perkins dressin goalkeeper shirt (sweater). Was used goalkeeper shirt (sweater) in season 1900-1, I not know.

On this collage goalkeeper Ted Doig of Sunderland (left and center), Harry Storer (when his in Woolwich Arsenal) To distinguish goalkeepers from field players on the field, goalkeepers are put on the head of a different style of cap (pictured).

H G 1.0
01.09.1896	away	The Wednesday	Division One
03.10.1896	away	Everton	Division One
17.10.1896	home	Sunderland	Division One
21.11.1896	home	Everton	Division One

Standard away goalkeeper kit


		A G 1.0

1892-93 Away goalkeepers shirt

Manufacturer:

Years worn: 1896-97

In this design away shirt Liverpool in first played in home Friendly match versus Liverpool Blue, 0-0, 20.08.1896, at Anfield.

In general difficultly in detail to write about these years Liverpool FC, but I shall return to this stage of their history and I shall write more in detail. May be all not as, how I has written.

In a season 1896-97 the design away shirt has changed. Liverpool used away shirt three seasons, 1896-97, 1897-98 & 1898-99 (time of use away shirt is probably inexact).

A G 1.0 - Away shirt with away shorts & away socks & cap.

What you know, may be before season 1901-02 Liverpool goalkeepers now and other goalkeepers in Great Britain not have shirt, they used shirts field players. And different between goalkeeper and field players was only in one, goalkeepers in a match put on a cap a head, that's all difference.

Why I written "may be before season 1901-02", as how with this season have photos with match when on Liverpool goalkeeper Bill Perkins dressin goalkeeper shirt (sweater). Was used goalkeeper shirt (sweater) in season 1900-1, I not know.

A G 1.0
20.08.1896	home	Liverpool Blue	Friendly
28.08.1896	home	Liverpool Blue	Friendly