A History Of Manchester United Match Worn
Shirt Styles

 NOVEMBER 2009

This month we have on show a vintage Manchester United shirt worn by a true Old Trafford Legend, Martin Buchan (click on his name for Biography), a classic shirt design loved by United fans all over the world which brings back fond memories of a wonderful football era for those of us who were there. Although trophies were won, the United faithful remember this era more for the fantastic, entertaining and attacking football that was played on the pitch - as the Stretford End used to say "Attack, attack, attack attack attack!"  What a beauty of a shirt even if we say so ourselves.

• Martin Buchan made 46 appearance for United in this season in all competitions

• For a decade Martin Buchan was United’s arguably most influential player. A cultured centre-half on and off the pitch, he was captain for six years during the 1970s, leading the Reds to the Second Division title in 1974/75 and the FA Cup in 1977 

• This style of shirt became synonymous with United's swashbuckling and entertaining style of football under the leadership of Tommy Docherty, with flying wingers Gordon HIll and Steve Coppell providing the ammunition for Pearson, Macari and Jordan to bang in the goals up front!

• This style of shirt was worn from 1975 through to 1980, with minor differences such as the shape of the numbers on the back, the Admiral logo on the chest was not present one season, a sew on patch another and then fully embroidered for another season.  Also the Manchester United crest changed to the centenary crest for the 1978-79 season

• These classic design shirts were the first of the modern 'football strips' which were commercially marketed in replica version for the first timeand also more of a fashion accessory - Admiral, and United, were at the forefront of this exciting development which over the years has led to the vast number of weird and wonderful designs, including the now infamous 'invisible' grey kit!