Portsmouth 1991-93 Goodmans Influence vintage XL jersey

Portsmouth 1991-93: The Influence-sponsored Goodmans kit, a relic from the pre-Premier League era

In the early 90s, Portsmouth battled in the trenches of the old First Division and the English league, far from the spotlight of the freshly formed Premier League, which was about to change everything. This Portsmouth 1991-93 kit, branded Influence and sponsored by Goodmans, is a raw historical document—a piece of fabric that lived before English football became a global industry.

The Kit's Details

Season: 1991-1993
Club: Portsmouth
Kit Manufacturer: Influence
Sponsor: GOODMANS
Condition: 7/10
State: PULLS, HOLE — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey

What this jersey represents

Between 1991 and 1993, Portsmouth played in the English First Division, the second tier of English football after the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The Fratton Park club experienced a period of permanent rebuilding, caught between high ambitions and complex financial realities—a fate that has stuck with Pompey for decades. These seasons were those of a popular club, rooted in its city, with some of the warmest fan support in southern England.

The kit manufacturer Influence is itself a time capsule: this now-defunct British brand dressed several lower division clubs around the turn of the 90s, producing jerseys with thick fabric and artisanal finishes, far from the technical synthetics of major brands. The sponsor Goodmans, a British manufacturer of televisions and consumer electronics, recalls a time when kit partnerships were still rooted in the local and national economy—before foreign sponsors arrived in droves.

Moments etched into this jersey

The birth of the Premier League and Portsmouth left behind (1992)
When the Football Association launched the Premier League in August 1992, Portsmouth was not a part of it—the club was relegated to the First Division, the equivalent of the current Championship. This jersey is that of a team watching the new world of English football being built from below, a frustration that Pompey fans know well.

Guy Whittingham and his legendary season (1992-93)
The 1992-93 season remains etched in Fratton Park's memory thanks to Guy Whittingham, a prolific striker who scored 42 goals in all competitions and broke the club's single-season goal record. A monumental achievement, worn in this very Influence jersey, which propelled Portsmouth to the First Division play-off final.

The 1992 Wembley play-off final
In 1992, Portsmouth played in the Division Two play-off final at Wembley against Leicester City. The club secured promotion to the First Division—an electric moment for a passionate fanbase. These two seasons in this jersey therefore represent a resurgence and a renewed ambition.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is one that was intended to be worn on the field or sold in official stores at the time—not a modern reproduction. The cut, the fabric, the labels, everything corresponds to the manufacturing standards of the early 90s. No detail lies: it's the original item, in its original material.

This one shows a condition of 7/10 with pulls and a hole—honest wear that tells a story. It's not a jersey taken out of its box, never worn, plastic-wrapped behind glass. It's a jersey that existed, that was worn, washed, lived in. For serious collectors, this authenticity is worth more than a new, soulless replica.

Vintage Sizing Guide

Vintage jersey sizes from the 90s do not correspond to modern standards. An XL from 1991 often fits like a modern L, sometimes even an M depending on the brand. Cuts were more fitted, shoulders more dropped, lengths different. Never rely solely on the label to decide.

Before buying, measure one of your current jerseys flat: chest width, total length, shoulder width. Compare with the measurements provided in the product description. This is the only reliable method to avoid unpleasant surprises with a vintage collector's jersey size XL like this one.

Why have it in your collection

Influence jerseys from the 90s have become rare on the market—the brand disappeared, production was limited, and few examples have survived in presentable condition. Finding a Portsmouth Influence 1991-93 jersey with its Goodmans sponsor intact is getting your hands on a piece that even British collectors actively seek. This type of club, this pivotal era of English football, this forgotten kit manufacturer: the combination is rare.

Yes, there are pulls and a hole—condition 7/10, no hiding that. But honestly, for a thirty-year-old jersey that went through the changing rooms and washes of the pre-Premier League era, it's a respectable condition. Not many have survived this well. If you're looking for a perfect jersey in its blister pack, move on. If you want an authentic vintage Portsmouth with a history, this is it.

To go further

• Portsmouth FC - Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive - Kit History
• UEFA - European Football

It's up to you—but Influence jerseys from this era don't come around twice in the same place. If Portsmouth and the 90s are part of your fan DNA, this piece deserves a place in your collection.