80’s style Chris Waddle

A new exhibition at the National Football Museum in Manchester surveys the cultural changes taking place in football fashion since the 1960’s. ‘Strike A Pose: 50 Years of Football and Fashion’ runs until 27th August, visit www.nationalfootballmuseum.com for full details of opening times.

The 1960’s started the revolution in style, youth culture and football as Kevin Moore, National Football Museum Director identifies,

“Ever since the footballers wage cap was lifted in 1961, fashion has gripped the football world. From the lavish style of the super-rich footballer to the average fan braving the cold winter afternoon on the terraces, fashion has had its say.”

George Best and Mike Summerbee

The acknowledged style icon of football and fashion George Best is celebrated, while at the other end of the spectrum are Liverpool FC’s infamous white suits and Chris Waddle’s mullet and check sports jacket combo.

Liverpool FC’s white suits for the 1996 FA Cup Final

The first Manchester United superstar and fifth Beatle George Best has his own dedicated section showcasing his stylish sixties clobber sold at his Manchester store, but it is the footballers many fashion faux pas which attract the eye.

The serious sartorial own goals include David Seaman’s multi coloured England goalkeepers jersey and the many outfits of the eccentric Mario Balotelli.

A special collage of footballers hairstyles centres on the Ralph Coates comb over and dishonourable mentions must go to Jason Lee’s Pineapple dreadlocks and Kevin Keegan’s Curly perm.

In contrast the black and white photography of Terry O’Neill captures some of the beautiful game’s legends. Highlights include a portrait of a young, thoughtful Paul Gascoigne and a dapper Peter Osgood.

Terrace style and culture movements are clearly identified with displays of mods, skinheads and casuals.

Terrace fashion for some

The close relationship between football and fashion is well evidenced in the different cultural tribes that have frequented the matches up to the modern-day.

Strike A Pose’s other items include a Victoria Beckham inspired dress, and outfits loaned from Sol Campbell, Gianluca Vialli and Joleon Lescott.

This is a thoroughly recommended exhibition if you want to see the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in football fashion.