Hats off, gentlemen.
While most of the talk on Friday morning was how Premier League teams had fared the night before, when the transfer window came to a close, West Ham supporters were discussing the side’s cracking new third kit.
The Hammers got their transfer business done earlier in the window, bringing in proven talent like Pablo Zabaleta, Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic and Joe Hart so were able to avoid any desperate, last-gasp scrambles for players on deadline day.
Instead, those behind the scenes at the London Stadium were preparing a press release to announce their stunning third kit.
“The striking design recreates the first-ever strip worn by the Hammers in the 1900/01 Southern League season – the Club’s first as West Ham United – and is adorned with the first known crest to appear on a West Ham jersey, from the famous 1923 ‘White Horse’ FA Cup final.”
The shirt is one of the most beautiful you’re ever going to see on a football pitch and features a sky blue colour, cuffed sleeves and a buttoned collar stamped with the official date that they became West Ham United – 5 July 1900.
We will have to wait a few weeks before we see it in action, as the third strip will be worn by the Hammers’ players for the first time during an away game against Crystal Palace on 28 October.
“As a lifelong West Ham fan, I really like what the Club have done with this third kit,” said captain Mark Noble. “It’s important to remember where it all began for West Ham United, all those years ago.
“It’s also a really nice kit, too. I’m sure the fans will love wearing it as much as the players will love playing in it. It’s a shirt you can wear both to play football and with a pair of jeans.”
