For many football supporters, it is important to look the part. Whether you are a Casual who decks themselves out in the latest Fred Perry clobber in anticipation of a tidy little tear-up on a Saturday afternoon, or a FKW (you may have to look that one up!) who wears their club’s colors with pride, one must always give thought to attire.
When I followed Brighton in the UK, the day would start with serious consideration about the reputation of our opponents; is it safe to wear colors, or could it rattle the cages of the local neanderthals who seem to think everyone in the world should support their team? Normally, it was safe to wear a replica club shirt, which was my usual choice, with a jacket that I could zip up just in case I needed to be inconspicuous!
Re-wind to 25th December, 1994. I’ll never forget the feeling of getting my first Brighton shirt. It was a fancy “Inter Milan” style away shirt that was popular amongst supporters at that time. Every Christmas from then on, I have received a replica shirt from The Man With The Bag, and I still get the same feeling of excitement as I did as a 14 year old. These days, I go for the more retro look, and I have quite a collection of old style Albion and England shirts.
Steve “Fozzie” Foster wearing the 94/95 away shirt
England 3rd shirt, 1990. My favorite!
Anyway, onto the masks! Rob and I thankfully live in a state where most people are actively wearing their masks in the necessary situations. With this, you’re starting to see many creative patterns, and it was only a matter of time before football teams started producing masks in their team colors. Rob and I agreed that if we’re going to have to wear them during this challenging time, we have to look the part! Despite promises to our wives that we would cut back on unnecessary spending, it wasn’t long before we placed our orders. Rob’s arrived a day before mine from somewhere on the other side of the world. As you can see, he looks rather dashing, but feels slightly disappointed with the quality; “ill fitting and hard to breath” were his words, but I think that’s a small price to pay to look good! I ordered mine from a store independent of the football club, so I knew I was taking a risk. However, I wanted the retro style to match my shirt, because I’m still a 14 year old at heart! I am impressed with quality, although having a big head means that most masks lead to a pinching of the King Lears (that’s rhyming slang for ears, my American friends!). The question is, who wears it best?! I guess it doesn’t really matter, as long as we’re wearing them!
Finally, we may have forgotten between us what the exact FA Cup semi final draw is, but at least we look the part!
John showing off the perfect example of a FKW and Rob not understanding the mask needn't be worn over one's eyes.
Author - John Hay
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