Tottenham Hummel 1985-87 Holsten Vintage Youth/S Shirt

Tottenham Hotspur 1985-87 Kit – The Hummel & Holsten Era, when Spurs made Europe tremble

Between 1985 and 1987, Tottenham Hotspur wore this Hummel kit sponsored by Holsten, a combination that has become iconic in the history of English football kits. It was a pivotal period for Spurs, where great individual talents converged at White Hart Lane and English football was still in its pre-Premier League era – raw, intense, and no-frills. This kit, size Youth/S, is a direct fragment of that decade.

Kit Details

Season: 1985-1987
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Kit Manufacturer: Hummel
Sponsor: HOLSTEN
Condition: 7/10
State: LITTLE PULLS, LITTLE STAINS, USED PRINTINGS – authentic wear of a vintage worn kit

What This Kit Represents

The mid-1980s was one of the richest periods in Spurs' history. The club was coming off a golden decade, boosted by two consecutive FA Cup wins in 1981 and 1982, and sought to establish itself permanently among England's greats. White Hart Lane was then one of the most vibrant stadiums in the country, and the Hummel kit – with its characteristic chevrons on the shoulders – perfectly embodied the football aesthetic of that era.

The sponsor Holsten, the German brewery, made its appearance on the Tottenham kit in 1983, and this association would last for more than a decade. At the time, seeing a beer brand stamped on a football kit was still a novelty that shocked some and amused others. Today, this yellow logo on the chest of the Spurs kit is a strong generational marker for all fans who grew up with this club in the 80s.

Moments Etched in This Kit

Glenn Hoddle, the White Hart Lane maestro
It's hard to talk about the 1985-87 Spurs without mentioning Glenn Hoddle, the quintessential technical midfielder, one of the most elegant players England has produced. His pinpoint passes and long-range shots from White Hart Lane are part of the club's legend, and it was precisely during this period that he wore the Hummel chevrons before joining Monaco in 1987.

Clive Allen, the otherworldly season (1986-87)
The 1986-87 season will remain etched in memory: Clive Allen scored 49 goals in all competitions, an absolutely staggering record that still stands today. Spurs reached the League Cup final that season, and Allen carried his team week after week, in this same Hummel kit.

Chris Waddle and the Rise of Spurs
Arriving at Tottenham in 1985 from Newcastle, Chris Waddle brought an extra dimension to the left flank. His explosiveness, technique, and dribbling skills made him one of the most formidable wingers in the First Division. Alongside Hoddle and Allen, he formed an attacking trio that hurt all defenses in England.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage kit like this is fundamentally different from a modern replica. It's not an item made in 2024 with a typeface that "recalls" the 80s – it's the real, tangible, physical object that existed when Hoddle was touching balls at White Hart Lane. The materials, finishes, cut, interior labels: everything dates from that era, and no reproduction can honestly claim to give the same feeling.

This one shows a condition of 7/10, with some small pulls, slight signs of use, and worn printings. It's not a kit taken out of a box still in cellophane – it's a kit that has been worn, that has lived, and whose small imperfections precisely tell that story. For an 80s collector's kit, this level of preservation is quite honest and representative of what's available on the market.

Vintage Size Guide

Vintage sizes from the 80s absolutely do not follow modern standards. A Youth/S from 1985 corresponds to a much narrower and shorter cut than what we are used to today. Never rely on the label when buying a kit from that era – the cuts were fitted, shoulders narrow, and body lengths significantly shorter than a current kit of an equivalent size.

Before validating your purchase, take a tape measure and measure a shirt you regularly wear flat. Then compare the chest width, shoulder length, and total length. This Tottenham Youth/S kit will suit a slim build or a very slight oversized fit – in any case, prior measurement is essential to avoid disappointment.

Why Have It In Your Collection

The Hummel Tottenham kits from 1985-87 are sought-after collector's items for several reasons. First, Hummel only supplied Spurs for a relatively short period, which makes these kits rarer than the Adidas or Umbro productions that dressed the club at other times. Second, the association with the sponsor Holsten and the characteristic chevrons of the Danish manufacturer make it a visually highly identifiable piece, immediately recognizable by any fan of retro football. Finally, the 1985-87 period was particularly rich in sporting terms, with legendary players wearing this kit week after week.

Youth sizes are even rarer than adult sizes on the secondary market – logically, children wear out their clothes more, and far fewer of these pieces have survived in good condition. This one is 7/10: it's lived, but it's here, solid, complete, and unambiguously identifiable. There aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market in 2024 – good pieces go fast, and regrets last a long time.

To Learn More

• Tottenham Hotspur – Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive – History of Kits
• Premier League – Official Website
• UEFA – European Football

If you are looking for a vintage Hummel Tottenham kit from the 80s with a real history behind it, you've come to the right place. No trickery, no reproductions – just real football, in the fabric.