Everton – THE KIT RAIL

Starting his career off at Kilmarnock in 2004, Naismith would make 71 appearances while scoring 24 goals that would help secure a move to Glasgow to join Rangers in 2007. After spending five years with the Gers’, winning three league titles, a Scottish Cup and two League Cups, Steven would make a move down south to Premier league outfit Everton. Three and a half years at the Toffee’s and 123 appearances later, Naismith would move to Norwich in a fight to keep them in the top division. Unfortunately his talents were not enough to help the fight and Norwich were relegated and after a full season in the English Championship, a move to Hearts on loan would help secure them a top six finish in the Scottish Premiership and a permanent move was made for just over one million pounds.

We will be having a look into his time at Everton and then diving deep into this jersey from Everton’s 15-16 campaign where Naismith made ten appearances before making the switch to Norwich in January 2016.

Credit – Steven Naismith with the perfect hat-trick vs…. – Squawka Football (tumblr.com)

During the 15-16 campaign, Naismith’s three goals would all come in the same game as Everton overcame Chelsea 3-1 as Naismith came on as a substitute in the ninth minute due to an injury on Bosnian midfielder Muhamed Besic.

This top is very similar to most Everton kits around this time as most use the blue and white template and sport the synonymous Chang beer. However Umbro have placed a lot of small details to be found within it such as the Latin under the badge, ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’, which translates to only the best is good enough. An NSNO can also be found on the back of the neck.

The top would not be complete without the Barclays Premier League patches on the sleeves and the lion on the Barclays lion on the bottom of each number.

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.