Getting Shirty

2000-02

A rarity this one, a Darlington kit that lasted more than one season (writes Craig Stoddart).

One of the best away shirts we’ve had. Really simple design and good colours. Meant to be worn with white shorts but looked better with the black shorts it was sometimes used with.

During a home game in season 2001-02 Hull City, managed by Brian Little at the time, in their wisdom turned up in pale grey shirts instead of their usual amber and black. It was a clear colour clash, yet the referee gave it a go but midway through the first half he gave up and ordered Darlington to gather near the dug-outs to swap their white shirts for this. The kit confusion had started before kick-off with Hull having to swap the navy shorts and wear Quakers’ white away shorts. What a kerfuffle.

This kit was actually used in three seasons as it made a brief reprise in 2002-03 as a one-off third strip when we played at Bury and neither the white home shirt or grey away kit were considered to be a sufficient enough alternative.