Everton Reaches Way Back Into Their History for 2021-22 Away Kit Inspiration

Everton FC of the Premier League have gone back — way back — into their history to find the inspiration for their new away kit.

The kit is manufactured by Danish sportswear company Hummel and was released on Friday, May 21. It is mostly black, but features a “burnt orange” sash running diagonally down the front. The club crest is rendered in burnt orange and black on top of the sash.

The design is inspired by the 1881-82 Everton squad, which came to be known as “The Black Watch.” According to EvertonFC.com, this nickname is believed to have been a reference to a famous army regiment. Everton was only in its third season of existence at the time, and only played in friendlies as there were no organized leagues in England. Newspaper reports describe the team as wearing “black jerseys and pants, and white hose, with a crimson sash or band slung crosswise from shoulder to hip, a make up which gives players a neat and business-like appearance.”

“The classic-looking retro design leans on the deepest roots of our history but, crucially, is still contemporary in style, cutting edge in terms of its sustainable technology and – following three record-breaking kits last season – sure to strike a chord with our fans across the globe,” said Alan MacTavish, Everton’s commercial director, on the club’s website.

Welcome to The Black Watch 🖤🧡

We stand #AsOne. Then. Now. Always.@hummel1923 #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) May 21, 2021

The jersey sponsor, Cazoo, appears on the front of the 2021-22 away shirt in burnt orange. All of Hummel’s marks, however, are rendered in tonal grey to blend in with the shirt. This includes their logo on the chest and chevrons running down the sleeves. The shirt also features raglan sleeves and a polo collar. Names and numbers will be printed in white.

The shirt took some ribbing on social media after it was unveiled. The sash looks rather red in some photos, and that’s the main colour of Everton’s inter-city rivals, Liverpool FC.

The socks and shorts that go with the jersey are both solid black, with the manufacturer’s marks and club crest both designed to blend in.

Everton confirmed on Twitter that they will wear these new away kits for the first time in their final game of the 2020-21 Premier League season. They travel to the Etihad Stadium to face champions Manchester City on Sunday, May 23.

Photos courtesy Todo Sobre Camisetas and EvertonFC.com