Over at 90min towers™, we regularly reminisce about the 90s.
From our favourite games to favourite haircuts, Subbuteo playing to whether you were part of the ISS '98 revolution, most nostalgic bases are covered.
But the one topic that comes up over and over again are our favourite kits from years gone by. You know, those limited edition, hard drippy numbers that get you salivating at the prospect of kitting yourself out head to toe in baggy nylon.
So what better way to trundle down memory lane than looking back on the all important sponsors who made those Asics, Pony and Errea numbers really stand out and come to life? That's right, there is no better way - so grab a chair, get comfy and get reading!
*Not all Premier League clubs of the 90s included for crimes against fashion.
1. Arsenal - JVC
Arsenal were a very good football team in the late 90s, in case you hadn't heard, but that Arsene Wenger era pales into insignificance when you think about some of the garm on offer in north London.
JVC were at the heart of it, before a shocking curveball saw one of the most iconic partnerships in footballing history dissolved in favour of....Dreamcast?!
2. Aston Villa - Muller
If you're not into your dairy products, this one probably isn't for you.
But for all of you crunch corner lovers, and fashionistas, Aston Villa's partnership with Muller will live long in your memory. Looking good, Fash.
3. Blackburn - McEwan's Lager
Manchester United may have dominated the 90s for long periods, but there are few more iconic images than a curtain-haired scruff by the name of Tim Sherwood lifting the Premier League trophy for Blackburn at Anfield.
Unfortunately, we haven't dug that picture out, but that's because we couldn't resist flaunting Stuart Ripley in this dazzling little blue and white halved number, McEwan's Lager ablaze. Glorious.
4. Bolton - Reebok
Bolton weren't around for very long in the Premier League during the 90s, but the entire decade is one they associate with Reebok.
Not only did they eventually get stadium naming rights, they also emblazoned their name on Bolton's shirt in the biggest font they could get away with - and frankly, they did a bloody good job.
5. Chelsea - Coors
Coooorrrrrr, doesn't Dan Petrescu rock this mid-90s Chelsea home kit with style (geddit?).
Okay, god awful jokes aside, the Blues' partnering up with one of the worst tasting beers of all time is one of the greatest Premier League sponsorship stories ever told, and tells you all need to know about this wonderful fashion decade.
6. Coventry - Peugeot
Three good things come out of remembering Coventry's partnership with Peugeot during the 90s.
1. You're reminded Coventry were a top-flight side.
2. This handsome little number was manufactured by Pony.
3. Dion Dublin may yet wear it on Homes Under the Hammer.
Say no more.
7. Crystal Palace - TDK
There was a strong temptation to dig out some form of Chris Armstrong or Attilio Lombardo mural here, but Chris Coleman's expert wearing of this TDK classic couldn't be overlooked.
Big bold text and a centralised Palace badge? YES.
8. Everton - NEC
Everton's partnership with NEC spanned the best part of a decade, and is synonymous with some of the club's finest achievements (winning the old First Division and FA Cup, in case you weren't sure).
Simple in design, white shorts were normally the complementary colour but the opportunity to show off Tony Cottee in full blue was one we simply had to take.
Phwoar.
9. Ipswich - Fisons
Local sponsors for local clubs, now this is what we're talking about!
Unfortunately, Fisons fizzled out of business not long after they buddied up with Ipswich, but it was jolly nice to see a name that nobody outside of Suffolk had heard of slapped on the chest of Boncho Guentchev.
10. Leeds - Thistle Hotels
Old school Leeds United were a joy to behold in the 90s, largely thanks to the likes of Gary McAllister, Gary Speed, Tony Yeboah and Brian Deane.
But name dropping aside, they also sported some gorgeous little numbers fronted by Thistle Hotels - though sadly their portfolio doesn't actually include any hotels in the Yorkshire area. Boo.
11. Leicester - Walkers
Leicester going on cracking little cup runs while sporting Walkers-inspired kits are the hallmark of any good childhood.
If you missed out, we do feel sorry for you - but at least can present this sensational shot of a young Emile Heskey strutting his stuff for your pleasure.
12. Liverpool - Carlsberg
Liverpool's lengthy Premier League title drought may have started in the 90s, but they were the fashion kings under the guidance of adidas.
Not only were the kits beautifully manufactured, they too featured a stunning Carlsberg centre piece with centralised badge - a real favourite of us older folk at 90min.
13. Manchester City - Brother
Oh my brother, TESTIFYYYYYYY!
Apologies for the D-Von Dudley slip of the tongue right there, but it's legitimately the first thing that comes into a lot of our heads when we remember Georgi Kinkladze jinking past defenders in a kit fronted by Brother.
Go watch Kinkladze's goal against Southampton if you haven't, and then go watch D-Von - both are fun, trust us.
14. Manchester United - Sharp
Sometimes keeping it simple is the best look you can go for - and that's certainly the memo that popped around the Manchester United fax machine in the 90s.
Ridiculously big collars, exceptionally baggy sleeves and too long in the body, United's Sharp kit really does define the decade's look.
15. Middlesbrough - Cellnet
Remember when little old Middlesbrough somehow wooed Emerson, Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli to the Riverside Stadium?
Yeah, we do too - and we're almost certain that it's because they knew how good they'd look rocking a Cellnet kit made by bloody Errea!
16. Newcastle - Newcastle Brown Ale
Sometimes you just have to let the pictures do the talking.
So feast your eyes on the above, marvel at what you see and head on over to Classic Football Shirts to snare yourself one.
17. Norwich - Norwich & Peterborough
There's something about East Anglia and supporting the locals, isn't there?
First we had Fisons at Ipswich, and now Norwich repping the Norwich and Peterborough building society - that, we can assure you, is almost as sensational as Jeremy Goss' frizzy hair back in the day.
18. Nottingham Forest - Labatt's
Nottingham Forest's more than 20-year long hiatus from the Premier League is one of the saddest modern football stories.
So what better way to throw back to a happier time than casting your eye over Stuart Pearce in a mid-90s Labatt's number, barking out instructions to anybody who dare listen? There isn't one, honestly.
19. QPR - Compaq
We really, really, really would have loved to have found an image of Les Ferdinand in full QPR flow.
Sadly, Sir Les wasn't available so we've dug up the next big thing to highlight the brilliant simplicity of Rangers' Compaq era - Ian Holloway in action, with hair and looking thoroughly bloody confused!
20. Sheffield Wednesday - Sanderson
Memories of Chris Waddle are something of a mixed bag, aren't they?
The Good
- Had a cracking left peg.
- Scored many a worldie for Sheffield Wednesday, many in Sanderson gear.
The Bad
- FIFA co-commentary.
- Maintaining some kind of swept back, thinning comb-over hairstyle.
- Yeah, the penalty miss.
We'll focus on the good 90s vibe here, and in particular this Wednesday kit - which sumptuously combined Sanderson's logo with a beady eyed owl and Umbro logo.
21. Southampton - Dimplex
Tucking your shirt into your shorts and yanking them up high has been out of fashion for too long.
So to right that wrong, we present a Dimplex inspired Jim Magilton, doing his thing at The Dell. Go get 'em, baby.
22. Sunderland - Reg Vardy
You're probably going to take one look at this image and think 'nah, too modern'.
And you'd probably be right, as this snap of Grant McCann in late 1999 does appear to have somewhat of a modern take. But having a kit that says Vardy on it, before Jamie Vardy was a thing? GENIUS.
23. Tottenham - Holsten
Let's be honest, we all used to fling ourselves around inspired by Jurgen Klinsmann's dive celebration, even on carpet - which from personal experience, is a bad, bad idea.
What made it better when Klinsmann did it was that his usually gleaming white Holsten apparel would be unrecognisable once the early 90s pitches had finished with him. Wunderbar!
24. West Ham - Dagenham Motors
Could we really get any more on brand than out-and-out West Ham boy Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen strutting around in a chevron-heavy Dagenham Motors kit, manufactured by Pony?
We absolutely couldn't, so to celebrate we're going to sit back and marvel at this masterpiece for at least the next ten seconds.
25. Wimbledon - Elonex
There was once a time where Wimbledon were so crazy that they didn't even have a sponsor.
That all changed though when Elonex came along, and this navy blue garm with golden yellow trim is one of the most memorable 90s kits of them all, largely thanks to its slick, no-nonsense design.
Oh how we miss the Crazy Gang.
Source : 90min