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HOME SHIRT COLLECTION | 1989/90

Author

Ryan Mckeown

March 12, 2021

KIT REVIEW

So, the beginning of my shirt collection journey starts at the 1989/90 season. The late ’80s are some of the best shirts in our history, and this season’s shirt signals the final time we saw the hugely successful and popular Hummel and Mita Copiers combination.

Hummel and Aston Villa teamed up for the start of the 1987/88 season and produced some of our greatest home and away shirts across a three season spell. We teamed up again between 2004-2007, but unfortunately, it didn’t hit the same heights as the first spell.

The Hummel and Mita Copiers combination oversaw the rebirth of Aston Villa. Graham Taylor’s side gained promotion back to the top flight after a second-place finish in the Second Division. The following season, Villa consolidated their top-flight status with a 17th place finish. The final year of this combination – 1989/90, would see us record impressive wins and performances as we finished runners-up to Liverpool.

Graham Taylor, who’s appointment coincided with this manufacture and sponsor combination, also departed for the England managerial post.

I love this shirt. The round badge, how Mita Copiers embeds itself subtly into the shirt, and those iconic Hummel chevrons on the shoulders. The Hummel chevrons also add a real uniqueness to the collar, plus the embroidery of the Hummel lettering throughout the shirt offers a cool visual touch.

SEASON REVIEW

I dropped a spoiler in the kit review – yes, we finished runners up to Liverpool. For 6-year-old Ryan, it was the first season I really got into being a Villa fan as my father had to prise my eyes away from the impressive Liverpool side, in particular the skilful John Barnes. However, Aston Villa had a star of their own that would soon become my first Villa idol – David Platt.

Platt scored an impressive 19 league goals from midfield, earning him a place in the England Squad for the 1990 World Cup.

This season also saw two of the most significant signings in Villa’s history. Paul McGrath was signed from Manchester United for £425,000, while an 18-year-old Dwight Yorke arrived from Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School for £120,000.

The game that stands out for me during this season was the 6-2 victory over Everton at Villa Park, live on terrestrial TV. I remember being blown away by the attacking display and, if I remember rightly, Everton were no mugs at the time.

FAVOURITE GAME

Aston Villa 6-2 Everton

Scorers | Gordon Cowans | Ian Olney x2 | Kent Nielsen | David Platt x2

Line Up | Nigel Spink, Chris Price, Paul McGrath, Derek Mountfield, Kent Nielsen, Kevin Gage, Gordon Cowans, David Platt, Tony Daley, Ian Olney, Ian Ormondroyd.

Credit: https://youtu.be/e0YC38zjhD8

What an amazing shirt to start this journey and one that is going to be very difficult to dislodge as my all-time favourite! Next, we move into the 90’s era, and there are some absolute beauties to review.

It would be great to read your memories of this jersey, so be sure to drop me a comment below.

Thanks for reading, Ryan.

UTV.