Ireland Release First Orange Away Kit Since 1996, Plus Other Recent 2021-22 Club Unveilings

The Football Association of Ireland have released a new orange away kit, marking the first time they’ve used that as a predominant shirt colour in 25 years.

The kit, manufactured by Umbro, was released earlier this month. The jersey has a solid orange base, with thick green stripes running along the shoulders, from the collar to the sleeve cuffs, on the front of the shirt. A black splatter pattern fades to orange going up the shoulders as well.

*Photo courtesy **@FAIreland** / Twitter*

The shorts are black, with green stripes down the sides. The splatter pattern appears again, this time in orange. The socks are solid orange with black and green stripes at the cuff.

VENEZIA FC – Fourth

After a warm reception for their home, away and third kits, Italian Serie A newcomers Venezia FC have rounded out their 2021-22 set with a predominantly red fourth jersey manufactured by Kappa. The sleeves are black, and the crew neck collar is black with gold trim. The body of the jersey features a tonal pattern inspired by that found on the flag of the Republic of Venice.

*Photo courtesy **@VeneziaFC_EN** / Twitter*

With this kit, Venezia FC has partnered with Save Venice, a charity “dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice for the world, through art conservation and educational initiatives.” For each fourth kit sold through Venezia’s website, the club will donate €5 to the charity.

SSC NAPOLI – Special Edition

Venezia’s Serie A counterparts, SSC Napoli, are honouring one of the most famous players to ever wear their badge with some special edition jerseys.

The jerseys feature the likeness and fingerprint of Diego Maradona, the Argentinian superstar who passed away in November 2020. Maradona played at Napoli between 1984 and 1991, marking the longest stint with any one club team in his career.

The art is based on a graphic created by local artist Giuseppe Klain. The version seen above, with a navy blue base, was worn in Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on Sunday, Nov. 7. The club is rumoured to also have a white version ready to take the pitch, and plan to wear one of the two in Serie A matches against Inter Milan and Lazio before the end of November.

1.FC KÖLN – Special Edition

To mark the start of carnival season in Cologne, Germany, 1.FC Köln has released their annual Carnival Kit for 2021-22. Made by Uhlsport, it features a white front with blue, red and yellow confetti along with red sleeves, shoulder stripe and crew neck collar. It also features the crest from Cologne’s flag in the middle of the chest.

As you can see above, when released, the shirt also featured a small red bowtie affixed to the collar; versions currently on sale at Köln’s webstore also have this. But, when the club wore them in a Bundesliga match against Union Berlin on Sunday, Nov. 7, the bowties were removed from the on-field kits. According to Footy Headlines, German Football League rules state that a “decorative element may only be attached by means of the following technical procedures: a) jacquard pattern, b) in-seam pattern, c) embossing pattern.”

RC STRASBOURG – Third

French Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg broke out a new third kit, manufactured by adidas, on Sunday, Nov. 7, for match against FC Nantes. The jersey is red — contrasting with their blue home and white away kits — with a tonal zigzag pattern on the front. The V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs and adidas shoulder stripes are all white, as are the sponsor logos. The club’s crest is also rendered in red and white.