The Football Kit Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Football Kit Podcast
From shirts to socks, cotton to polyester and Aertex to TechFit...The Football Kit Podcast is your source of punishingly detailed football apparel analysis.
Your genial hosts are Denis Hurley (Museum of Jerseys/Squad Numbers) and Les Motherby (Hull City Kits).
Outro Music is kindly provided by Steve Cobby ("Teleseme")
Oxen are a relatively new kit brand, one that broke into football in 2022 after starting out in both codes of rugby. What began in the English lower leagues with Doncaster, Barnsley and Shrewsbury continues in 2026/27 with Championship representation through Lincoln City and Premier League exposure via new-boys Hull City. In this episode, Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Oxen CEO Lee Jenkinson to discuss the firm's rapid growth and plans for the future.Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
La Liga's recent Retro Weekend pulled the trigger on an idea that has been regularly suggested since the advent of social media. So now that one of the big leagues have done it, will others follow? In this episode Denis, Gavin and Les consider what a Premier League Retro Matchweek might look like if it ran from 1st-4th of May. Our episode artwork by Denis depicts what a Hummel take on a Le Coq Sportif Sunderland shirt from 1981-83 might look like, with restrained manufacturer and sponsor appliqués.
World Cup fever officially became a pandemic when adidas launched their away kit offerings and Nike followed up with a slew of their own releases. Denis, Gavin and Les convene to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Gav and Les are joined by author John Blair to discuss his recent release Football Kit Italia: The Greatest Kits and Characters of the Golazzo Era, a love letter to Channel 4's wonderful calcio output, the key figures and of course the kits of Italian football from 1992 to 2002. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis, Gav and Les return to discuss representative games and the kits worn in them. You know the sort of thing; intra-league affairs, all-star games and unusual groupings of players that demand 'eleven' be despicted in Roman numerals. The kits used are often the very definition of templates, but every now and then something unique and special is created. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Serie A returns this weekend for the 2025/26 edition. Can Napoli do it again with Kevin de Bruyne? Will Inter bounce back after Scudetto and Champions League final misery? How near are Juve to ending their five year title drought? All good questions but we're here for the kits! Denis, Gav and Les are ably assisted by a bevy of kit geeks with love for Serie A sides in a review of the new season's polyester.Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Euro 2025 is in the books, and England have by hook or crook defended their Women's European Championships title in Switzerland. But what of the polyester on display during the tournament? Denis, Gav and Les are joined by Palace and Lionesses supporter Shanine Salmon to debate the Nordic weather, Cubist art and 80's Spall inspired kitsets seen. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
John Devlin and the Superhoops may sound like a 70s prog-rock group, but our episode title refers to the forthcoming release by the godfather of illustrated football kit books, John Devlin. The man behind the essential True Colours tomes turns his attention to Queens Park Rangers in 'Hoops Through History', in which he is assisted by R's historian Chris Guy of @retroQPR. John joins Denis, Gavin and Les for a punishingly detailed discussion taking in Simon Stainrod in adidas, Ray Wilkins wearing Influence and Les Ferdinand rocking Brooks. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The 30th season of Major League Soccer is just days away, so Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Peter Welpton of the Kickaround, the finest soccer radio show in Dallas, Texas. We discuss the early days of the organisation in 1996, from announcement, team formation and branding, countdown clocks, 35 yard shoot-outs to decide drawn games, the magnificence of Carlos Valderrama's hair, and of course the kits of the first 10 clubs. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
TFKP kit-geeks Denis, Gavin and Les could barely get a word in edgeways when Marc Jones, AFC Wimbledon's Head of Brand, Marketing, and Communications, got going on his love of kits. Which is all good because what Marc has to say is captivating stuff! From the first AFC Wimbledon kits by Tempest Sports to the current 'Little Boy Blue & Coffee Bean' coloured banger of an away shirt by Umbro, Marc outlines his involvement and approach to the club's match-wear, including the special edition shirt based on Princess Diana's 'black sheep' wool jumper! Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Doing the 92 - Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Daniel Storey, chief football writer at the i-Paper and author of essential tomes such as Gazza in Italy and 250 Days: Cantona’s Kung Fu and the Making of Manchester United. Daniel talks about his latest project: attending a home game for all 92 professional clubs in the English league structure during the 2024/25 season, and writing a feature about all of them. Naturally the conversation turns to kits and Daniel's shirt collection, Forest faves, and the contents of the CFS archive. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The centenary of legendary kit brand Umbro is an apt time for a book charting the history of that beloved firm, and who better to author such a tome than friend of the podcast Alex Ireland. Alex joins Denis, Gav and Les to talk not just about his fine tome, but also the best of the 2024/25 season kit releases. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The 2024 FA Cup final is close at hand, and our resident anthem jacket obsessive Les has penned a punishing, five part exploration of the pre-match tracksuit tops/anthem jackets/presentation suits used before finals since 1955. Gav and Denis pepper him with jacket based questions to better understand the traditional sartorial staple of the Wembley (and Millennium Stadium) hosted showpiece events.
As the 2023/24 season comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the kits that have delighted and displeased, as well as noting the wider kit trends.Joining hosts Denis, Gav and Les are a stellar line-up of kit geeks: Sharon Zoomer, Dan Andrews, Kitmanaman Marcus, Alan Gibson of J-Soccer mag, Alex Ireland, Chris Matic, Rodrigo Lara, Derik Ferreira, Stefan Appenowitz and Edward 'Woody' Willoughby. They cover a range of topics: the Premier League, J.League, the Bundesliga, the Championship, Serie A, Campeonato Brasileiro, Eredivisie, Copa America and more!
The release of the new Nike and adidas kits ahead of Euro 24 and the Copa America was somewhat eclipsed by the news of Germany's defection to the Nike stable from 2027, and some folks got their knickers twisted over Nike's 'playful update' of the cross of St. George. But these new kits won't review themselves, so Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Chris 'Chats Shirts' Matic for a 'playful' critique of them.Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Who are we to stand in the way of those demanding a second installment of 'A Question of Strips'? Denis resumes his David Coleman/Sue Barker, while team captains Les and Gav are joined by Kieran Casey of Sartoral Soccer, and Rob Fletcher, author of 1992: The Birth of Modern Football.
Those are some Reffin' good kits! Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Canadian ref Quentin Benetti, the man behind the wonderfully niche RefereeKitHistory.com site, to take a look at the finest officials kits in living memory. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis, Gav and Les are joined by multidisciplinary kit overlord Phil Delves (of Hummel's 'Behind the Chevrons videos and Red Star Paris 125-years anniversary kit design fame) to sort the wheat from a chaff filled decade. This is '2000s - A STRIP ODYSSEY! Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The massive impact of Tiny Jerseys: In episode 22 Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by Stephen Rawlings, a California based Borussia Dortmund fan who spends his spare time sculpting wondrously detailed statuettes of classic kits. Stephen helps us to decide what iconic kits would be chiseled into Mount Kitmore, if there was a Mount Rushmore of not tiny, but massive jerseys. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
With the launch of 'Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt' imminent, Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by author and 90's long-sleeve Bundesliga shirt enthusiast Alex Ireland.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
In Episode Twenty Denis, Gav and Les are joined by Raimund Simmet, author of Alle Bayern-Trikots, to discuss the rich kit history of Bayern Munich.
Additionally, the kit geeks discuss some of the latest kit releases for the 2023/24, the broader trends on show, and which kits delight or horrify.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Something a bit different... a quiz! Denis channels his inner David Coleman for 'A Question of Strips!'
That leaves the other two to be team captains: joining Les is author John Devlin of 'True Colours Football Kits' fame and YouTube kit critic Chris Matic, a.k.a. 'Chris Chats Shirt'. Taking on the Emlyn Hughes/Ally McCoist role is Gav, who leads a team completed by author Alex Ireland of soon to be published 'Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt' and past podcast guest and Forest fan Jim Hearson.
The questions posed by Denis are fiendishly difficult, indeed reputations may be left in tatters!
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
As the narrative strands of the 2022/23 season merge into resolution, Denis, Gavin and Les ask each other what they've liked and disliked about kits in a campaign that oddly includes a World Cup finals. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
As the J. League celebrates its 30th anniversary, Denis, Gavin and Les are joined by the estimable Ben Mabley, co-commentator/analyst for DAZN, J-Sports and other outlets, to consider some of the stand-out kits in a league with a distinct visual language. A longer episode than normal!フットボールキットポッドキャストでのJリーグトークOutro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis, Gavin and Les take a look at another specific club's kit offerings, this time Nottingham Forest. Tricky Trees fan Jim Hearson selects three good ("Barking up the right tree")and three bad ("Can't see the good for the trees") kits from Forest's polyester pantheon. Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis, Gav and Les are joined by the estimable John Devlin of True Colours books and Admiral documentary fame to discuss underrated World Cup kits. Four kitgeeks will nominate six under the radar kits each in a bid to decide the final octet of FIFA tournament underratedness.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis, Gav and Les are joined by Design Football's Jay Handley to discuss teams who 'wear the skin of their enemy', or at least colours associated with rival sides. WARNING: Contains Star Trek references.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
As the group stages of UEFA's three main competitions begin, Denis, Gavin and Les take a look at UEFA kit regulations past and present, deciding which rules are good ("Nyon to something good!") or bad ("UEFA the game or what?").
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The kit book shelves will have a new tome soon, when Matt Riley's Kit & Caboodle is released. Ahead of that Matt joins Gav, Denis and Les to discuss the inspiration behind the book, which does not sit on the fence about topics such as gambling and Crypto/NFT sponsorships, using shirts to oppose wars and bigotry, and attempts to put football on a more sustainable footing, which naturally includes the kits made from a petroleum by-product.
Having looked at change kits, goalkeeper jerseys and notable templates (twice!), Denis, Gavin and Les take a look at a specific club's kit offerings as chosen by a guest. That club is Newcastle United, and the guest is renowned Toon matchworn shirt collector Gavin Haigh, who selects three good ("Canny kit that pet!") and three bad ("Nah way the lads!") kits from the Magpie's polyester pantheon.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Having established that templates are no bad thing in Episode Seven of The Football Kit Podcast, Denis, Gav and Les revisit the subject in Episode Ten to choose more 'Templates of Worship' and 'Templates of Doom'.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Goalkeepers are a different breed they say, and their attire certainly sets them apart from their team mates. In this episode of The Football Kit Podcast that attire is considered by Denis, Gav and Les, who each choose a "you're a keeper" entry of something they like as well as a "No saving that" choice, something far from number one.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
All post-punk band Half Man Half Biscuit wanted was a Dukla Prague away kit, but for some people change kits, be they away, third, fourth or in Napoli's case thirteenth kits are the work of the capitalist devil. Denis, Les and Gav discuss change kits, finding positives as well as negatives, or 'Positive changes' and 'Changes for the worse'.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
The Football Kit Podcast and the Templates of Doom! In Episode Seven old stalwarts Denis and Les are joined by a January transfer window signing, as Gav Hope of Kit Geek gives the line up some strength in depth. Templates might be a dirty word to some but they are the bedrock of kit design, and in what might be the first part of a quasi-regular series, our three kit connoisseur each nominate a 'Template of Worship' and a 'Template of Doom'.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
In Episode Six of The Football Kit Podcast we talk to Steve Appenowitz, author of the essential 2018 tome Bundesliga Trikots and fan of Borussia Mönchengladbach, about his latest book Das Gladbach Trikot.
Also… Denis and Les are intrigued by the EFL's stance on short clashes, and recall a Chelsea mash-up in their first season with adidas.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
Denis and Les are joined by John Devlin (True Colours Football Kits) and Gavin Hope (Kit Geek) for a special episode that reviews the kits of a belated 2020 European Championships.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
In Episode Five of The Football Kit Podcast we talk to a kit design colossus: Craig Buglass, whose Cool Motion and Total 90 kits for Brazil, Holland, Portugal, South Korea, USA et al are among the most well known Nike designs, and who also collaborated on kits for Puma and Umbro.
Also… Denis and Les consider some of the kits of Euro 2020: the refreshed Puma away kits such as those of Austria, Switzerland and Italy, as well as the three Jako kits for North Macedonia that didn't survive contact with social media reaction. Plus mash-up muser Denis takes a look at the shorts and socks combos worn by West Ham in 2020/21 .
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
In Episode Four of The Football Kit Podcast we talk to Marc Roe, Walsall's accidental kitman who spent part of lockdown giving Joe Wicks a run for his money with fitness videos on the club's Facebook account.
Also… Denis discusses the rebrand at Serie A champions elect Inter, and Les muses a mash-up from 1991 featuring Les Lions Indomptables.
In Episode Three of The Football Kit Podcast we talk to Port Vale's Scott Brown, a goalkeeper with over 500 English and Scottish league appearances to his name, to discuss the kit design work of pop wastrel Robbie Williams, Jim Leighton’s boot rule and the need for gloves that retain grip in the snow.
Also… Les takes a look at a Mexican brand making waves with the help of Netflix, and Denis muses over a Milan mash-up in 2016/17.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
In Episode Two of The Football Kit Podcast we talk to Amilcare Elvo, the lead designer of ambitious young Italian brand Zeus. Also... Denis considers a vexillological issue that vexed fans of the Russian national side and Les mulls a mash-up for Argentina at the 2010 World Cup.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.
From shirts to socks, cotton to polyester, Aertex to TechFit...The Football Kit Podcast is your source of punishingly detailed football apparel analysis. In episode One we interview the senior football kit designer at adidas, Jürgen Rank, and also consider prematurely ended sponsorships and a notable kit mash-up from 1990.
Outro track is Teleseme by Steve Cobby (2015 Déclassé Recordings). Used with kind permission.