There was a time, back during the 1980s, that Hummel had their chevrons splashed across every league from here to Kingdom Come.
Alas, in the era of Nike, Adidas and their mega-clubs, the German brand is more of a niche presence these days, though they still crank out the odd stonker.
Here’s a little shufty at 10 of our favourite Hummel shirts to come trampling out of the tunnel down through the years.
Wimbledon, 1990-91
Kick off with a true classic. The shirt that the Dons went out and treated themselves to after winning the FA Cup…
Aston Villa, 1987-89
An absolute tour de force – a riot of oppressive, confusing visuals, and extremely era appropriate…
Tottenham, 1986-89
Spurs were bequeathed several handsome offerings from Hummel during the 1980s (some were even approved by Diego Maradona), but none were handsomer than the pinstripes on the ’86 third shirt…
Feyenoord, 1987-89
Whopping great sponsor and chevrons to die for…
Real Madrid, 1989-90
While purists may prefer the blank version from 1988, true scholars know that the 1989-90 Real shirt had ‘Hummel’ written all over it in seven-segment display (calculator letters) which, of course, makes it much better…
Wales, 1987
Simple, spick and span…
Norwich City, 1986-87
The classiest of Canary yellow shirts perfectly accented by the very classiest of sponsors…
Zanzibar, 2010-11
If you can’t appreciate the simple joy of a football shirt splashed in chevrons, animal print and a giant leopard’s head then you’re officially dead on the inside…
The corresponding Sierra Leone jersey was also a treat for the senses.
Tibet, 2006
The frankly outstanding shirt worn by ‘The Forbidden Team’, i.e, the Tibetan national side – the team China went to great lengths to prevent playing in their first ever international match (against Greenland) in 2001…
Not enough lace-up collars these days.
Sunderland, 1991-93
The Black Cats wore this little corker in the ’92 FA Cup Final – bold white in the main with a free-for-all approach to the sleeves…
Denmark, 2016-17
Hummel’s most iconic Denmark shirt is undoubtedly the 1986 vintage, but the best is the 2016/17 shirt with a whopping great Viking (folk hero Holger Danske, to be precise) on the front and if you disagree then sorry but you’re wrong…
Deal. With. It.
Any other suitably attractive Hummel efforts (either modern day or classic) that you’d like to pay homage to? Let us know in the comments below…
Suggested further reading:
Top 10 Classic Umbro Football Kits
Top 10 Classic Admiral Football Kits