The Admiral kits from the 1970s and 1980s hold a special place in the hearts of those of us of a certain age. Despite being basic by today’s standards, they were truly beautiful. In my opinion, they are the greatest kits of all time—perhaps only rivalled by Ipswich Town’s original Pioneer shirt.
Admiral had been producing sportswear long before the First World War, but it wasn’t until after England won the World Cup and colour television became widespread that they truly understood the commercial potential of football kits. The turning point came in the 1973-74 season when Admiral designed Leeds United’s kit—the first prominently branded kit in English top-tier football.
Recognising the goldmine that replica kits could become, the FA signed a five-year deal with Admiral to produce England’s kit, making them the first commercially available national team shirts. From there, Admiral built an impressive portfolio: Manchester United, Coventry City, Portsmouth, Spurs, Southampton, Norwich, West Ham, numerous Scottish clubs, and even teams in the North American Soccer League.
As the 70s gave way to the 80s, competition from UMBRO and Adidas increased. Eventually, Admiral went into liquidation, returning in 1983 with less fanfare.
Before we dive into my personal top 10, I’m giving a Highly Commended nod to this beauty from Southampton—a tribute to my pal Neil.
10. Wales (1976 – 1979)
A sleek red shirt, worn by the likes of John Toshack, Mickey Thomas and Terry Yorath. It featured the classic Admiral shoulder taping and gold trim, worn during qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1980 European Championships. It’s bold without being brash, and distinctly Welsh.
9. Tottenham Hotspur (1977 – 1980)
This white shirt with navy trim was one of the cleanest looks of the era. It kept things simple, with a pronounced cockerel badge and deep V-neck. It’s also remembered as the kit worn by Spurs legends Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricky Villa after their arrival from Argentina following the 1978 World Cup.
8. Leicester City (1983 – 1985)
A transitional kit in many ways. This was among the first to adopt the new shiny synthetic material that would dominate the 80s, a departure from the heavier cotton kits. Worn by future England striker Gary Lineker and partner Alan Smith, it symbolised a new era both on and off the pitch for the Foxes.
7. Norwich City (1978)
Minimalist but smart. Canary yellow with green trim, worn in the days when style and substance didn’t always need a sponsor logo. A kit that gets overlooked, but there’s a strong retro charm to it. I like it for its understatement.
6. Leeds United (1978)
This kit marked the start of Admiral’s decline at Leeds, and many fans loathed it for being too plain—just white, with minimal detailing. But there’s a quiet elegance in its simplicity. It’s a shirt that defined a transitional period at Elland Road, post-Revie.
5. Manchester United (1975 – 1979)
Admiral gave United a kit with red and white striped cuffs and collar and a slightly darker tone of red. The team was in rebuild mode during this period, and players like Stevie Coppell and the Greenhoff brothers left their mark in it. Retro and distinct.
4. England (1974 – 1980)
Worn during a barren spell for the national team (when isn’t it barren?), this white kit with subtle navy and red piping became a symbol of English football’s fall from grace after the 1966 high. Yet, despite its timing, the shirt’s classic styling became iconic in its own right.
3. Crystal Palace Away (1978)
Bold. Daring. Stylish. The red and blue sash across a white background was a revolutionary look at the time. It gave Palace an air of European glamour and has since been copied by clubs across the world. Still unbeaten in its elegance.
2. Coventry City Away (1978 – 1980)
Infamous for its daring design, this brown and yellow kit gets routinely panned in worst-kit lists, but I love it. It’s distinctive, brave, and screams 70s design excess. If nothing else, you can’t accuse it of playing it safe.
1. England (1980 – 1983)
This was Admiral’s masterpiece. The white base was enhanced with red and navy shoulder bands, giving the kit a bold and modern feel. It was worn by England in their unbeaten 1982 World Cup campaign. Mariner, Butcher, and Mills made it look heroic. It was divisive at the time, but now it’s remembered as an icon.
If you grew up with Admiral, you’ll understand the nostalgia. If you didn’t? Take a look at these classics and see what real kit design looked like before the age of templates and third shirts.
Let me know your favourites in the comments!
Admiral
Possibly the greatest ever kit supplier