For this interview, I look back at the history of Kits and uniforms by
looking at the iconic 1988 Netherlands Kit of the 1988 Euros.
The Interviewees are:
Englishman Mr. Gavin Hope
Dutchman Mr. Dirk Maas (via Museum of Jerseys)
Note:
Special thanks to Mr. Denis Hurley of Museum of Jerseys for
contacting Mr. Maas for this interview.
Mr. Gavin Hope’s contact
info:
Twitter: @kit_geek,
@gavhope
Instagram: @football_kit_geek
Mr. Denis Hurley‘s contact info:
Twitter: @museumofjerseys
Website: https://museumofjerseys.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuseumofJerseys/
My contact information:
on twitter @sp1873 and on
facebook under Soccernostalgia.
Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s start off by introducing yourself and the start of your passion with kits?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I am
Gavin, known in the Kit Community as @Kit_Geek, I have always had a passion for
kits since I saw the Tottenham Hotspur Hummel kits from 1985. From then on, my
interest kits have grown, the history of kits and how teams use their kits, by
creating detailed insight and stats into Football Kit use.
Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s discuss this 1988 Dutch national Team kit. When was it designed and the occasion for its use?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: The kit was only used for the Euro 88 Tournament in West Germany (as it was then), and the team returned to a more classic look after their victory in the Euros to similar to the one they had before this kit in 1987.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: I don't know,
perhaps in the first months of 1988. Jürgen Rank, co-designer of this shirt,
said Adidas had clear thoughts on the shirts they produced for the Adidas
sponsored teams at Euro 1988.
He
said: “we had produced different designs and we deliberated which template
matched which specific national football team. In case of the Netherlands, we
thought the Ipswich-template perfectly suited them.”
Adidas
wanted to do something completely new and they found inspiration in art and
architecture when they designed the Ipswich-template.
According
to Jürgen Rank: 'Then, it was very brave to come up with such a design, ahead
of its time and it made an impact, as well for the time after.'
Source:
https://nos.nl/artikel/2253409-van-prachtig-tot-pijn-aan-de-ogen-een-hemel-van-voetbalshirts-gaat-open
1:46-2:36 in the video
For
an overview of the Adidas designs in the 80's: https://twitter.com/classicsoccerjs/status/1150029503470739460
Ina
Franzmann, another co-designer of this shirt,
was interviewed by classicfootballshirts in 2018, mostly speaking about
the Germany 1988-1990 shirt, via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_woCfAP3qQ&t=49s&ab_channel=ClassicFootballShirts
More
on Ina Franzmann via: https://www.nssmag.com/en/sports/15144/maglia-germania
_1955x1562.jpg)
Photo
From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
|
(Holland squad, June 12,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 0-USSR 1) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Do you remember how it was regarded at the time by fans and players alike?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I was only 11 at the time but I remember it being something very different from what I have seen before, an exotic looking shirt and of course being linked to such a successful team it was always going to be highly regarded as one of the kits of that era.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: The players
didn't like it. Ruud Gullit called it 'the ugliest shirt I ever played in'
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_woCfAP3qQ&t=49s&ab_channel=ClassicFootballShirts
7:13 - 10:06 in the video
John
van 't Schip found it a pity that they didn't have a 'bright colored orange
shirt'.
He
disliked the 'pale orange colour' and said: “we look like goldfish... with
these scales on the shirt.”
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shNxt5BFbLI&ab_channel=tvenradiodb.nl
16:50-17:32
in the video
I
don't know what the thoughts of the fans were at that time. The common opinion
in Dutch football forums in the past years: 'horrible shirt design, but great
memories of the kit'.
_1950x1258.jpg) |
Photo From: Voetbal
magazine, Issue 30, July 1988
|
(Ruud Gullit, June 18,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 1-Republic of Ireland 0) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Given its style/Design, the orange color is rather light, was this aware a concern when designed?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I believe this is one of the keys to the “Ipswich” template, it uses white to balance the core colour of the shirt, something new in terms of kit design at the time but seen replicated in the years since then. I do not recall it being an issue but remember times were different in terms of kit commentary so any discontent would probably have been with the fans and not heard much outside of The Netherlands. The difference in shade is a lot more prominent when the team paired the shirt with orange shorts / socks, as they did in the final of Euro 88.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: I don't think it
was a concern when it was designed. According to this newspaper article the
shirts were 'ready and fit to play in' and there was no deliberation with
officials and players of the Dutch team.
After
complaints of the Dutch players during Euro 1988, it was decided that the
Netherlands always would play in 'a bright colored, smooth and plain orange
shirt'. Literally was said: the orange has to be agressive.
_1183x810.jpg) |
Photo From: Voetbal
magazine, Issue 30, July 1988
|
(Holland squad) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Can you discuss this Adidas design. It was used by West Germany 1990 (Green away kit), USA 1988 (Olympics), USSR (1988 red kit). Can you discuss this design’s history
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: The Adidas template known as
“Ipswich” was launched in 1988 and is considered to be worn by 29 Professional
Teams (Clubs and Countries), one of a number of classic designs from Adidas’
Ina Franzmann and consider one of the most successful and sort after designs
for Kit Collectors even now nearly 35 later.
Photo From: Magazine
Source unknown
|
(USSR squad, September 6,
1989, World Cup Qualifier, Austria 0-USSR 0) |
.jpg)
Photo From: Onze-Mondial,
Issue 2, March 1989
|
(USSR’s Alexander
Zavarov, June 18, 1988, UEFA European Championships, USSR 3-England 1) |
_1261x962.jpg)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 41, June 1992
|
(West Germany squad, July
4, 1990, World Cup, West Germany 1-England 1) |
This kit was only used in the five matches of the 1988 Euros. Why was it not used before nor afterwards? Was it intentional?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I believe it was intentional, the
1989 shirt was one with a special crest to celebrate the centenary of Dutch
Football Association, so maybe a more classic looking shirt was considered for
this event.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: This Adidas
'Ipswich'-template was introduced at Euro 1988, so it couldn't have been used
before. This template was specifically designed for Euro 1988. As mentioned
before, the designers said they found inspiration in art and architecture.
I
don't know the exact reason why it wasn't used afterwards. It could have
something to do with the fact that the Dutch players didn't like the design and
the pale colour.
Mind
you, the Soviet Union (the only other team wearing an Ipswich template at Euro
1988) hardly used the Ipswich template after Euro 1988: only in the World Cup
1990 qualifier in September 1989 against Austria.
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IeMSSiHGXQ&ab_channel=AngelaKridler
_2289x3218.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 100, July 1988
|
(Ronald Koeman, June 12,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 0-USSR 1) |
.jpg) |
Photo From: World Soccer,
December 1988
|
(Marco Van Basten, 1988
Euros) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Are there any anecdotes or interesting stories about this kit?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: No Stories that I am aware of
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: The only interesting anecdotes I could find are those of Ruud Gullit ('the ugliest shirt I have ever played in'), John van 't Schip ('we look like goldfish in this shirt… with these scales on the shirt') and a reaction of Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (a right-wing paper, it has been the most read newspaper in the Netherlands for decades): after the loss in the opening match against the Soviet Union, De Telegraaf blamed the loss on the shirts, calling the shirts 'kippengaas' (translated into English: chicken wire/wire netting), just like Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the loss of Manchester United against Southampton in April 1996, because of the infamous grey shirts.
_1906x1687.jpg)
Photo From: Onze, Issue
151, July 1988
|
(Ruud Gullit, June 25,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 2-USSR 0) |
Soccernostalgia Question: What is the one match and one image (photograph) that this kit is linked to?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: Ruud Gullit
heading the ball in the Euro 88 Final against Soviet Union.
Soccernostalgia Question: Other than the euro victory, any extra reasons it’s iconic?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: Its classic design, kits do not have to be used too much to be linked to a classic team / moment or design, every knows this look from Kit Connoisseurs to regular football fans and even those with just passing interest in football, it’s a design that’s instantly recognisable.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: Iconic is perhaps
not the right word, I would say 'revolutionary' as this geometric design was
rather spectacular compared to earlier Adidas templates.
.jpg)
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 100, July 1988
(Marco Van Basten, June
15, 1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 3-England 1)
Soccernostalgia Question: At what point was this design discontinued?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I believe the design was mainly used between 1988 / 89, however there were still examples used at club level into the 90s. It was then the Adidas designs moved forward, likely off the back of the 1990 World Cup
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: This kit was
mostly worn between June 1988 and June 1989. After the 1988/1989 season, this
kind of template was seldomly seen on the pitch. Some South American teams wore
it in 1989 and some European teams in the early 90's.
For
an overview, see:
http://www.erojkit.com/2019/08/adidas-ipswitch-template-1988.html
I've
made a list of teams wearing this template:
1.
Netherlands: 1988
2.
Soviet Union: 1988
3.
Morocco: 1988
4.
Iraq: 1988
5.
Deportes Temuco: 1988
6.
East Germany: 1988/1989
7.
Borussia Dortmund: 1988/1989
8.
VfB Stutgart: 1988/1989
9.
FC Schalke 04: 1988/1989
10.
VfL Wolfsburg: 1988/1989
11.
Hannover 96: 1988/1989
12.
VfL Bochum: 1988/1989
13.
SV Waldhof Mannheim: 1988/1989
14.
Darmstadt 98: 1988/1989
15.
Preussen Münster: 1988/1989
16.
Spvgg Bayreuth: 1988/1989
17.
BSC-Oppau: 1988/1989
18.
Baden 1897: 1988/1989
19.
Red Star Zürich: 1988/1989
20.
Ferencvárosi TC: 1988/1989
21.
FK Zalgiris: 1988/1989
22.
Sariyer SK: 1988/1989
23.
Belenenses: 1988/1989
24.
West Germany: 1988-1990
25.
1. FC Saarbrücken: 1988-1990
26.
United States: 1988-1990
27.
FC Porto: 1988-1992
28.
Greece: 1989
29.
Argentinos Juniors: 1989
30.
Vélez Sarsfield: 1989
31.
Racing Club: 1989
32.
Deportivo Mandiyú: 1989
33.
Deportes Iquique: 1989
34.
Santiago Wanderers: 1989
35.
Dynamo Dresden: 1989/1990
36.
FC Steaua Bucharest: 1989/1990
37.
AS Bari: 1989-1990
38.
Cobreloa: 1989-1991
39.
Argentina: 1990
40.
Deportes Concepción: 1990
41.
FC St Gallen: 1990/1991
42.
GKS Katowice: 1991/1992
43.
AC Cesena: 1991/1992
Other
sources:
https://twitter.com/classicsoccerjs/status/1150029503470739460
https://twitter.com/classicshirts/status/1443916158223196202
Soccernostalgia Question: Of all the Dutch kit designs, is this the most memorable one from a historical standpoint?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: For me yes, kits are often linked to performances on the pitch, this is arguably the most successful moment in Netherlands football and its kit is rightly regarded as part of that success.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: Sure, because of
their only win of a major tournament. Another memorable shirt is the one-off against
Belgium in a friendly match in 1983. This was the first time that blue was used
as a colour of the Dutch away shirt.
A
blue Netherlands away shirt became common at the end of the 90's and in the
00's and 10's.
Source:
https://nl-nl.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160852641089676&set=ecnf.648259675 Facebook page of Dutch shirt collector Jesse
Rabeljee whose collection was shown in this video
(see
Question 1)
.jpg) |
Photo
From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
|
(Holland squad, June 25,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 2-USSR 0) |
_1212x845.jpg) |
Photo From: Voetbal
magazine, Issue 30, July 1988
|
(Holland squad, June 12,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 0-USSR 1) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Are younger fans aware of this kit and its history, or is it mostly older Football fans?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: I think this is one of the recognizable shirts in football kit history, regardless of the age to the kit fan. This can be seen in the number of reproductions of the shirt of years from Adidas, as well as fakes, although we do not like them, the fact there are so many shows the popularity of the shirt to this day
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: I think all fans,
regardless their age, are aware this kit. Nowawaydays, lots of Dutch fans wear
a retro version of the Euro 1988 shirt at sporting events.
On
Ebay, you can find some of the Euro 1988 shirts. Looking at the prices, I don’t
think are replica’s but retro versions.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1988-Holland-Netherlands-jersey-shirt-retro-classic-/255675267260?var=&hash=item3b876ef8bc
Shirt collector Ellis Platten got hold of a Euro 1988 shirt with number 12 on
the back (Marco van Basten’s number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX3pu8pSlE0&ab_channel=AwayDays
_804x751.jpg)
Photo From: Voetbal
magazine, Issue 30, July 1988
|
(Marco Van Basten, June
15, 1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 3-England 1) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Do you yourself own this kit and how does it rank in your personal collection?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: No, I do not own this shirt or any reproductions of it.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: Unfortunately I
don’t. I’m not sure this shirt was massively available in the Netherlands in
1988.
From
what I’ve heard and read is that merchandise of replica football shirts of the
Netherlands at the end of the 80's was in its infancy.
If
you look at this report just before the match against England at Euro 1988, you
hardly see Dutch fans wearing replica shirts.
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWEOszPukhk&ab_channel=TVBeelden33
1:40-4:06 in the video (at 2:15-2:22 you see in the back fans wearing the 1988/1989 Netherlands replica shirt and at 3:49-3:51 the 1984-1988 Netherlands replica shirt).
Personally,
I really liked this design and not because of sentimental value as the Dutch
won Euro 1988 in this shirt. Compared to other shirts of the Netherlands, it
was completely different and not as dull as most Adidas templates worn by the
Dutch. This shirt is in my top 3 of Netherlands home shirts, along with the
1991-1993 Lotto shirt and the 1998/1999 Nike shirt.
_1206x949.jpg)
Photo From: Voetbal
magazine, Issue 30, July 1988
|
(Ruud Gullit, June 25,
1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 2-USSR 0) |
_864x936.jpg)
Photo From: World Soccer,
June 1992
|
(Ruud Gullit lifting the
trophy, June 25, 1988, UEFA European Championships, Holland 2-USSR 0) |
Soccernostalgia Question: In closing, how do serious kit collectors view this kit and is it universally considered iconic?
Mr. Gavin Hope @kit_geek Response: Iconic is great way to describe this kit, it is iconic and it one that regardless of their opinion kit lovers across the globe will know instantly, for a collectors it may be a different view as there are so many replicas, reproductions and fakes of this “iconic” shirt.
Mr. Dirk Maas Response: I think it’s fair
to say it is widely considered as the holy grail of football shirts: used in
only 5 matches, only time the Dutch won a major tournament and the
revolutionary geometric design that was used.
_1736x1233.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 100, July 1988
|
(Marco Van Basten, June
21, 1988, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 1-Holland 2) |
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