Manchester City 97/98 Away

The 1997/98 Manchester City away shirt marked the beginning of a new era, introducing Kappa as the club’s kit manufacturer after more than six decades with Umbro.

While the season itself ended in disappointment with relegation from Division One, the shirt has since become a cult classic, remembered for its bold Italian styling and unique design. Worn by the likes of Georgi Kinkladze, Uwe Rösler and Paul Dickov, it remains one of City’s most distinctive retro shirts.

The shirt features a striking navy upper chest with a broad maroon horizontal band separating it from a crisp white lower half. Kappa’s signature logo tape runs along both sleeves, while the embroidered Manchester City crest sits proudly opposite the white Kappa logo. The iconic Brother sponsor is positioned centrally across the chest, perfectly complementing the shirt’s bold colour blocking. A smart navy polo collar with maroon and white trim completes the unmistakable late-90s aesthetic.

Made from lightweight polyester with Kappa’s close-fitting cut, the shirt offered a sharp silhouette that stood out from the looser styles common in England at the time. Its unconventional combination of navy, maroon and white divided opinion on release but has since become highly sought after by collectors thanks to its unique look and association with one of the club’s most memorable transitional periods.

A bold departure from tradition, the 1997/98 Manchester City away shirt has evolved from an overlooked design into one of the club’s most iconic retro classics.