\West Ham United, one of the most storied football clubs in English football, has always been known for its unique claret and blue colors. Over the decades, the design of West Ham’s football shirts has evolved, reflecting changes in football culture, technology, and fashion. From the simple, sponsor-less kits of the 1950s to the modern, technologically advanced shirts of today, each decade brings its own style, marking key moments in the club’s history.

Let’s take a journey through West Ham United’s football shirts by decade, exploring how the designs have changed and the iconic moments these kits represent.

1950s: The Classic Era of Simplicity

In the 1950s, football kits were minimalist in design, with no sponsors or flashy elements. West Ham’s shirts during this period were straightforward, emphasizing the club’s claret and blue identity.

• Design: A plain claret body with light blue sleeves, no sponsor, and minimal embellishments. The shirts had a rounded collar, and player numbers were stitched on the back in white.
• Fabric: Made from heavier cotton materials, the shirts were built for durability rather than comfort.
• Iconic Moment: The 1950s saw the rise of Malcolm Allison and the team establishing itself as a competitive force in English football.

1960s: The Rise of West Ham Legends

The 1960s marked a golden era for West Ham United Football Shirts, with club legends like Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters making their mark on English and world football. The shirt designs remained simple but became synonymous with the club’s achievements on the pitch.

• Design: The design remained largely unchanged from the 1950s, with the same claret body and blue sleeves. However, by the mid-1960s, kits became slightly more fitted, with subtle changes to the collar design, often featuring a v-neck style.
• Fabric: Kits were still made from cotton but were becoming slightly lighter and more breathable.
• Iconic Moment: The 1964–65 home shirt will forever be remembered for West Ham’s triumph in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, with Bobby Moore leading the side to European glory.

1970s: Enter the Age of Kit Makers

The 1970s saw the introduction of kit manufacturers to football shirts. West Ham partnered with Admiral, which marked the beginning of shirts becoming more commercialized, with branding and designs reflecting the times.

• Design: Admiral introduced a new design that featured bolder contrasts between the claret and blue sections of the shirt, particularly around the shoulders. The v-neck style was prominent, and Admiral’s logo was often visible on the sleeves, making the shirts feel more modern.
• Fabric: Shirts were now made from synthetic materials, which were lighter and allowed for better moisture management.
• Iconic Moment: The 1970s saw Trevor Brooking become a club legend. The 1975 FA Cup-winning shirt, with its bold blue shoulder panels, is a fan favorite from this era.

1980s: Sponsors Arrive

The 1980s was the decade that saw the arrival of sponsor logos on football shirts, changing the landscape of kit design. West Ham’s partnership with Avco Trust became iconic, as the sponsorship logo became synonymous with the club’s kits during this period.

• Design: West Ham’s shirts during the 1980s maintained the claret and blue color scheme, but the Avco Trust logo became a defining feature. The kits, produced by Adidas, featured their signature three-stripe design on the shoulders.
• Fabric: Shirts were now made of polyester, providing better performance on the pitch. The designs became more fitted, reflecting the growing influence of sports science on kit design.
• Iconic Moment: The 1985–86 season, in which West Ham finished third in the First Division, is still the club’s highest-ever league finish. The Avco Trust-sponsored kit from this season is fondly remembered by fans.

1990s: Bold Designs and Club Identity

The 1990s brought bold, often experimental designs to football shirts, as manufacturers like Bukta, Ribero, and Fila produced kits for West Ham. This was the era of geometric patterns, larger logos, and unique styles.

• Design: Kits during the 1990s became more colorful and adventurous. The Dr. Martens-sponsored kits of the late 1990s, produced by Fila, featured bold patterns and stripes across the chest. The 1999–2000 home kit is one of the most iconic, with its unique blue horizontal band across the chest.
• Fabric: Kits were becoming lighter and more breathable, with moisture-wicking technology becoming more common.
• Iconic Moment: The 1999–2000 home shirt is forever tied to Paolo Di Canio’s legendary volley against Wimbledon, a moment that cemented the shirt in West Ham folklore.

2000s: The Return of Tradition

As the 2000s progressed, football shirts began to shift back toward traditional designs, with manufacturers paying homage to classic looks from the club’s past. The kits became more streamlined and performance-driven, with modern technologies improving player comfort.

• Design: West Ham’s kits during this period, made by Reebok and later Umbro, featured cleaner designs, often returning to the classic claret body and blue sleeves. Sponsors like Jobserve and XL Holidays appeared on the front.
• Fabric: Modern materials like polyester blends and mesh inserts helped players stay cooler during matches.
• Iconic Moment: The 2005–06 home shirt, worn during the dramatic FA Cup final against Liverpool, is remembered as one of the most significant shirts of the decade, despite the heartbreak of losing on penalties.

2010s: Modern Technology Meets Nostalgia

The 2010s saw the rise of kits that balanced modern performance technology with nods to the club’s rich history. West Ham entered a partnership with Umbro, and their designs frequently referenced iconic shirts of the past.

• Design: The 2015–16 home kit was a significant shirt, marking the final season at the Boleyn Ground. It was a classic claret and blue design, with the inscription “The Boleyn Ground 1904–2016” featured on the back of the collar. Umbro’s designs often favored simplicity and class, with clean lines and traditional elements.
• Fabric: Shirts were now designed with state-of-the-art fabrics, offering players lightweight, breathable materials that enhanced their performance on the pitch.
• Iconic Moment: The emotional farewell to Upton Park in 2016, capped by a 3-2 victory over Manchester United, is forever linked to the 2015–16 kit.

2020s: A New Era of Glory

As West Ham moved into the 2020s, the club experienced a resurgence, marked by their first European trophy in decades. Kit designs reflected the club’s modern ambitions while paying tribute to its history.

• Design: Kits have continued to evolve in terms of technology and design. The 2020–21 home shirt, marking the club’s 125th anniversary, featured gold detailing and a retro-inspired crest. The 2023–24 kit, worn during the club’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, is already considered a fan favorite.
• Fabric: Modern kits are engineered with cutting-edge fabrics that allow for maximum comfort and performance, with moisture-wicking and heat-regulating properties.
• Iconic Moment: The 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory is one of the greatest moments in the club’s modern history, and the shirt from this season will forever be remembered as a symbol of West Ham’s European success.

Conclusion

West Ham United’s football shirts have changed dramatically over the decades, from the simple cotton designs of the 1950s to the high-tech kits of today. Each era has its defining moments, with the shirts serving as tangible reminders of the club’s rich history. For collectors and fans alike, these kits are more than just sportswear — they are symbols of West Ham United’s enduring legacy in English football.