Liverpool 1996/97 Away Shirt: Steven’s Vintage Liverpool Shirt Collection Story
Welcome back to The Football Finds Blog, where we explore the stories behind vintage football shirts and the collectors who treasure them.
Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Steven Hewitt, known online as Littlestevesshirts, a collector whose journey into vintage football shirts began with one unforgettable kit: the Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt.
For Steven, collecting isn’t about resale value or hype. It’s about memories, nostalgia, and the emotional connection that certain shirts hold, especially when it comes to classic Liverpool shirts from the 90s.
The Liverpool 1996/97 Away Shirt: The Beginning of Everything
Liverpool F.C.
Steven’s first ever football shirt was the Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt, the iconic ecru Reebok design sponsored by Carlsberg.
That shirt represents the exact moment he truly fell in love with football and, more importantly, the moment he became a Liverpool supporter. The Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt remains one of the most distinctive kits of the Premier League era. Its cream colourway, bold sponsor placement and oversized 90s fit captures the spirit of mid-90s football perfectly.
For Steven, it isn’t just a vintage Liverpool shirt. It marks the start of his entire journey as both a fan and a collector.
The 1996/97 Liverpool Goalkeeper Shirt and a Birthday Surprise
Another shirt from that same season holds just as much significance: the Liverpool 1996/97 home goalkeeper shirt.
Steven remembers going into JJB Sports with his mum and being asked whether he thought his cousin would like the goalkeeper shirt. He said yes without giving it much thought. On his birthday, he opened that very same Liverpool goalkeeper shirt, only to discover that his mum had used the “cousin” question to see if he liked it.
It’s memories like that which transform a football shirt into something deeply personal. For many collectors of vintage Liverpool shirts, emotional connection is far more important than rarity or resale value.
Growing a Vintage Football Shirt Collection During COVID
Like many collectors, Steven’s passion for vintage football shirts grew significantly during COVID. Before that period, his collection mainly consisted of Liverpool shirts and England kits. However, with more time to reflect and browse, he began noticing the designs of other clubs and national teams.
He started appreciating bold 90s football shirts, distinctive colour combinations and the way certain kits captured an era. What began with the Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt gradually evolved into a broader appreciation for vintage football shirts from across Europe and international tournaments.
France 98 Football Shirts and Tournament Nostalgia
One of the biggest influences on Steven’s collection is the 1998 World Cup in France.
France 98 was the first major tournament he truly remembers watching closely. He recalls sitting around the television with his family, watching England matches together and beginning to understand the atmosphere and excitement of international football.
Every France 98 football shirt he owns carries that memory. For many collectors, France 98 kits represent peak 90s football shirt design, and they remain some of the most sought-after retro shirts today.
Vintage Grails and Shirts Once Thought Unreachable
Over time, Steven has been fortunate enough to secure many shirts he once thought he would never own. Among them is a Liverpool goalkeeper shirt from the 1988 to 1991 era and the Bayern Munich 1998/99 third shirt, both of which reflect the bold and expressive design language of late-80s and 90s football.
He is particularly drawn to shirts that are bold yet balanced, with strong colour schemes and design elements that reflect a club’s history. Black and gold combinations are always hard for him to resist.
Despite adding many personal grails, two classic Liverpool shirts still elude him: the Liverpool 1986/87 home shirt and the Liverpool 1986/87 third shirt. For collectors of vintage Liverpool kits, these mid-80s designs represent timeless simplicity and historic significance. The ongoing search keeps the passion alive.
What Makes a Great Vintage Football Shirt?
For Steven, a great vintage football shirt comes down to impact and identity. It needs a strong colour scheme, a confident design and a sense of character that reflects the club or era it represents. When a shirt incorporates elements of club history into its design, it instantly feels more meaningful.
Whether it’s the Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt, a France 98 classic, or an 80s goalkeeper kit, the connection it creates is what truly matters.
Advice for New Football Shirt Collectors
Steven’s advice for anyone starting a football shirt collection is to follow what feels right. That might mean beginning with your favourite club, your national team, or even a player who inspired you. Often, the memory attached to a shirt plays the biggest role in deciding whether it belongs in your collection.
There is no perfect formula for collecting vintage football shirts. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and let your collection grow naturally over time.
Final Thoughts on Collecting Vintage Liverpool Shirts
From the Liverpool 1996/97 away shirt that started it all to France 98 football shirts and long-term Liverpool grails, Steven’s collection is built on memory and meaning.
Vintage football shirts are more than just pieces of fabric. They represent moments, family memories, and the seasons that shaped us as supporters.
And that is exactly what makes collecting them so special.