Tag: 11

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British Club Tops

John Sutton – Scottish Cup Final 2011

On the 126th Scottish Cup final Motherwell made their way to Hampden where they would come up against Celtic in Scottish football’s most prestigious knockout competition.

This jersey comes from John Sutton who had a terrific campaign as he finished the Scottish Cup as the competitions top goal scorer with six goals out of Motherwell’s 14 goals en route to the final. He would score in all games except the quarter final replay with Dundee Utd and unfortunately in the final against Celtic as the well lost 3-0 which would be Neil Lennon’s first trophy as Celtic manager.

Over the course of Sutton’s Motherwell career he would play just over 200 games for the steelmen and score a respectable 78 times. Arriving the first time from Wycombe Wanderers after spending a good spell in Scotland with St Mirren. After the Scottish Cup final, Sutton would move on to Hearts where he would find himself back at Fir Park in another three years.

After Motherwell, Sutton would move to St Johnstone and St Mirren for a second spell before moving to their local rivals Greenock Morton where he would retire in 2019 to begin his coaching career.

Made by Puma, this top uses Motherwell’s iconic hoop around the middle of the body which has featured on most home tops of recent times. Another great thing about this top is the Phil O’Donnell signature just above the Puma badge which speaks for itself.

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British Club Tops

Marvin Johnson – 15/16

The man who made Fir Park twist and shout, Marvin arrived in Motherwell in February of the 14/15 season from Conference League team Kidderminster Harriers FC. He would play over 50 games where he would be deployed in every position down that left hand side from left forward to left back. Only scoring six goals during his time at Fir Park although one of these will go down in the history of Motherwell Football Club.

At the end of the 14/15 season, Ian Baraclough poorly guided Motherwell to 11th in the league after Stuart McCall left to join a confident Rangers side who they would meet in the playoffs and were hungry to get back to the top. A 3-1 victory for the Well’ away from home was a massive help for their stay in the league and gave them hope for the second leg.

It was during this second leg where Johnson would cement his legacy in claret and amber. In the 52nd minute, Johnson would cut in from the left and try a shot from a fair distance out and a deflection off one of the Rangers defenders saw the ball fly up and dip over Cammy Bell after comically trying to punch the ball away. After that goal went in, Motherwell ran riot and finished the game 3-0.

The season after, where this top is from, was better for Motherwell as they finished a much more respectable 5th place in the league with Johnson leaving for Oxford Utd for an undisclosed fee which was good business for the Well’ as they were able to get a sell on percentage as he moved to Championship side Middlesbrough. Johnson now plays for English side Sheffield Wednesday after being released by Middlesbrough.

I thought of showing this top now as it is going back to the pinstripe but a proper claret and amber one and not a black and amber like this seasons which has mixed reviews. I think the problem with this seasons away top is so mixed as this top is still in recent memory and it is such a nice top that shows the clubs true colours.

Categories
British Club Tops

Fabrizio Ravanelli

From winning league titles with Juventus and Lazio to being relegated with Middlesbrough and Derby, the career of Fabrizio Ravanelli has had its highs and lows.

Starting his career in Italy, 1986, with Perugia before making moves to Avellino, Casertana and Reggiana. It would be in 1992 where Fabrizio would gain his big money move to Juventus and become a cult hero after scoring in Juventus’ 95/96 Champions League final win, in Rome.

After playing over 100 times for The Old Lady, Ravanelli got a move to England but not for one of the big 6, instead it was a £7million bid from Middlesbrough. Unfortunately Boro were relegated however Ravanelli was one of the leagues top scorers and also took Middlesbrough to both League Cup and FA Cup Finals where they were beaten by Leicester and Chelsea.

A brief stint in France saw the Italian finish second in Ligue 1 with Olympique De Marseille before moving back to Italy and winning another Scudetto with Lazio and adding a Coppa Italia winners medal to his collection. Then moving back to England for a brief time with Derby and another relegation followed.

The strangest move on this list however is when he made a move up north to Scotland to play for Dundee. Only playing a total of 5 games for the Dee, scoring a hat-trick against Clyde in the League Cup. Ravanelli was sacked alongside other top earners after the club were no longer able to pay their wages.

Luckily I’ve managed to get my hands one of those 5 jerseys and what a jersey this is to be honest. I’m all for XARA jerseys and this can get added to that pile. Unfortunately the Magners sponsor patch ruins it which is no fault to XARA as they make up for it by using a neat collar and a sash along the chest to match.

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British International Tops

James McFadden – Scotland 06′

Qualifying for Euro 2008 was a hard ask for Scotland as they were placed in Group B with the previous World Cup champions Italy and the runners up France. With a few shock results coming Scotland’s way, beating France home and away, qualification was looking possible but due to disappointing results against Ukraine and Georgia, Scotland would make it 10 years since qualifying for a major tournament. Even though there was heartache for Scotland, Faddy would score four during the qualification phase with his legacy being cemented with his long range strike in Paris that would give Scotland a 1-0 win over France.  

Credit – VIDEO: It’s 10 years to the day since Scotland beat France in Paris thanks to THAT James McFadden goal – The Sunday Post

This top was worn by James in September 2006 where he would play just the twenty minutes before having to depart the pitch due to injury, with current Motherwell manager Graeme Alexander coming off the bench. Scotland would still win the game 2-1, helping their early qualification hopes.

When Scotland played Lithuania back at home in Glasgow, McFadden would score a superb goal that secured a 3-1 win after a quick throw in was taken from the right, Kris Boyd would lay it off at the edge of the box and after three touches McFadden would have the keeper picking the ball out the back of the net. 

Credit – BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Scotland 3-1 Lithuania James McFadden is waiting for the right club, as the former Everton striker reveals he has had offers from home and abroad | Daily Mail Online

Looking at this top from a distance, it is quite ordinary but seeing it up close you will find some hidden gems from Diadora, as on the front there is a darker saltire on the chest but also the word alba on the bottom of the back with a lion rampant underneath. The word alba is the Scottish-Gaelic term for Scotland first used in ancient Greek and Latin texts meaning ‘Albion’ to refer to Britain as a whole.

Categories
British International Tops

James McFadden – Scotland 05′

September 2005 saw Scotland overcome Norway in the hope of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but unfortunately it would be Norway that would progress to a second round with Italy gaining automatic qualification. During the qualification phase, McFadden would score twice in wins against Moldova and Slovenia.

In this game against Norway, Kenny Miller would score a first half brace with McFadden assisting the first with a headed flick before Miller poked it home. McFadden would be substituted in the 72nd minute for striker Craig Beattie after being booked earlier in the game. Norway would score their only goal of the game in the 89th minute with a drive from the edge of the box leaving a nervous Scotland team to finish the game.

Credit – (1) Pinterest McFadden – left, Miller – centre and Fletcher – right

This Diadora jersey is simple but instantly recognisable as a Scotland top, mainly down to the colours used being light blue with a navy and white stripe. The spots on the top of the shoulder also matching the navy on the sleeve. The spots on the shoulder also changed colour as the players heated up during the game.

James would go on to play 48 times for Scotland over an eight year international career, with his first cap coming at the age of 19, against South Africa, while playing for his first club Motherwell. McFadden would become a regular in the Scotland set up scoring some vital goals, with the winner in both 1-0 wins over the Netherlands and France being his most notable.

After his retirement, James would become a coach for the national side where he would work under Alex McLeish from 2018 to 2019.