The Story of Stoke City’s Kits
Founded in 1863, Stoke City are one of the oldest football clubs in the world, with a visual identity that is instantly recognisable. The club’s famous red-and-white stripes first appeared in 1868, and apart from brief experiments with solid colours, they’ve remained central to Stoke’s image ever since.
The design represents the club’s industrial heartland — bold, straightforward, and enduring — perfectly reflecting the character of the city and its supporters. The stripes have become one of the longest-running visual traditions in English football.
Kit Evolution and Brand Heritage
Early Stoke kits were simple cotton shirts with broad red and white bands and heavy lace collars. As football modernised, the stripes became narrower and cleaner, while technological advances introduced lighter fabrics and new styles.
Manufacturers such as Umbro, Adidas, Puma, Le Coq Sportif, and Macron have each brought their own interpretations of the Potters’ iconic look. The current partnership with Macron has produced some of the most admired modern designs in the Championship — combining tailored fits with retro details.
Away kits have often contrasted sharply with the home look — blue, black, and even yellow have been used over the decades — yet the red-and-white stripes always remain central to the club’s visual identity.
Famous Stoke City Shirts
-
1971/72 Home Shirt – worn during Stoke’s historic League Cup triumph under Tony Waddington, their first major trophy.
-
1992/93 Home Shirt – featuring distinctive pinstripes and worn as the club secured promotion from Division Two.
-
2008/09 Home Shirt – marking Stoke’s first Premier League campaign in the modern era.
2015/16 Home Shirt – remembered for victories over Manchester United and Manchester City during the Mark Hughes era.
Little-Known Facts About Stoke City Kits
-
Oldest in the league: Stoke City claim to be the second-oldest professional football club in the world, founded in 1863 — their stripes predate many modern clubs altogether.
-
Early colours: Before red and white, Stoke experimented with blue-and-black and even cherry-red shirts in their first few decades.
-
Industrial symbolism: The club’s red-and-white palette is said to reflect the brickwork and pottery kilns of Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage.
-
The city crest: For many years, Stoke’s shirts featured the city’s coat of arms rather than a dedicated club badge.
-
Modern innovation: Macron introduced embossed detailing of the Potteries skyline inside the collar — a nod to the city’s proud manufacturing identity.
-
Away favourites: The dark navy 1992 away shirt with diagonal white flashes remains a cult classic among collectors.
Fan input: Supporters have been consulted on home shirt designs multiple times, helping preserve the traditional look while embracing subtle evolution.
Our Range and Personalisation Options
At UK Soccer Shop, you’ll find the full Stoke City collection — including home, away, and third shirts, as well as retro editions and training wear. Every jersey is 100% authentic, featuring the official crest, manufacturer logo, and sponsor detailing.
Personalisation is available on most shirts, letting you add your name or that of club legends such as Gordon Banks, Ricardo Fuller, or Marko Arnautovi?.
Explore related collections for the full English football experience:
Why Stoke City Shirts Stand Out
Few clubs in England embody tradition like Stoke City. The red-and-white stripes are more than a design — they’re a statement of pride, resilience, and belonging. Every shirt tells a story of the club’s journey from its 19th-century roots to the modern era. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a collector of iconic English kits, a Stoke City shirt is a timeless classic.