Cork City 1988-89 Home Jersey

Cork City's Unique Journey Through Kits: A Tale of Tradition and Innovation

In the world of football, kits tell a story, and the history of Cork City Football Club is woven into the fabric of their jerseys. Each jersey, like each season, is a chapter in a tale of tradition and innovation, none more so than this iconic shirt.

When Cork City was born in 1984, they embraced a kit reminiscent of the classic Queens Park Rangers adidas design of that era, but with a twist – green replaced blue. This marked the beginning of a unique journey in kit design. For the next five seasons, the club showcased five distinct variations of this style, each one exclusive to Cork City. No other adidas club sported these jerseys, a testament to the ingenuity of Three-Stripe International, an Irish sportswear company based in Cork, licensed to produce adidas clothing. They crafted bespoke looks for the local team, ensuring Cork City's kits were truly one of a kind.

In 1989, Cork City reached their first FAI Cup final, facing a Derry City side on the hunt for a domestic treble. To commemorate this historic occasion, a bold departure was taken in the world of kit design. Although they lost the final 1-0 after a replay, the new look left a lasting impression. Drawing inspiration from West Germany's iconic kit introduced at Euro 88, Cork City's jersey was transformed. It now featured a predominantly white design with a striking green and red zig-zag pattern across the front. This wasn't merely a re-coloring of the West German kit; the pattern was higher up the chest and included narrower color blocks, cleverly accommodating their sponsor, Guinness.

The presence of Ireland's most famous export emblazoned across the chest undoubtedly contributed to the jersey's popularity beyond the club's local fan base. It effortlessly held its own among illustrious company, gaining recognition far and wide. Even today, in periodic 'best-ever kit' polls on the Cork City supporters' forum, this jersey consistently ranks near the top. While the club's primary kit may have evolved, with green shirts and white shorts currently in favor, for many, white will forever be the primary color, and this iconic shirt remains the standard by which all successors are measured.

Cork City's journey through kits is a testament to their rich history, creativity, and the enduring bond between a club and its passionate supporters. Each jersey represents more than just a piece of clothing; it represents the spirit of a footballing city and the memories etched in the hearts of its fans.

UEFA Cup Winners Cup 1989/1990 » 1. Round » Cork City - Torpedo Moskva 0:1

Tuesday, 26. September 1989

Phil Harrington    
Paul Bannon    
Liam Murphy    
Philip Long    
Paul Bowdren    
Kieran Nagle    
Dave Barry    
Patrick Freyne    
Cormac Cotter    
Mike Conroy    
John Caulfield