{"product_id":"1997-99-sunderland-shirt","title":"Sunderland 1997-99 Asics Home Vintage Shirt — Condition 8\/10","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eSunderland 1997-99 Asics Home Shirt — The era when the Black Cats were about to reclaim their throne\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBetween 1997 and 1999, Sunderland was not a club on standby — it was a war machine running at full throttle in the Championship, then establishing itself in the \u003cstrong\u003ePremier League\u003c\/strong\u003e with clear ambitions. This \u003cstrong\u003evintage Sunderland Asics home shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e carries on its seams the energy of one of the most intense periods in the recent history of the North East English club. Sponsored by \u003cstrong\u003eLambtons\u003c\/strong\u003e, a name deeply rooted in local history, this shirt is pure Wearside essence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eShirt details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1997-1999\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunderland AFC\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Home\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asics\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e LAMBTONS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e SPOT — authentic wear of a \u003cstrong\u003eworn vintage shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e, it's not a shirt straight out of a vacuum-sealed box, it's a shirt that has lived.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this shirt represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe late 90s was a pivotal period for \u003cstrong\u003eSunderland AFC\u003c\/strong\u003e. The club moved to the \u003cstrong\u003eStadium of Light\u003c\/strong\u003e, inaugurated in 1997, a brand new home that replaced the legendary Roker Park after 99 years of loyal service. It's symbolic: a club turning a gigantic page while remaining deeply rooted in its North East English identity. With Peter Reid at the helm since 1995, the team had regained stability and a true warrior mentality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eOn the pitch, these two seasons saw \u003cstrong\u003eSunderland\u003c\/strong\u003e play leading roles in the Championship before settling in the Premier League. Players like \u003cstrong\u003eKevin Phillips\u003c\/strong\u003e began to make a name for themselves with formidable efficiency in front of goal, and \u003cstrong\u003eNiall Quinn\u003c\/strong\u003e asserted his physical presence in attack — a duo that would become one of the most formidable partnerships in English football at the very end of the 90s. The \u003cstrong\u003e1997-99 Asics home shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e is exactly the era when these two began to build their legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched into this shirt\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe inauguration of the Stadium of Light — July 1997\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeaving Roker Park to open the \u003cstrong\u003eStadium of Light\u003c\/strong\u003e was a historic turning point for all of Wearside. This \u003cstrong\u003eAsics\u003c\/strong\u003e shirt is directly associated with the first seasons in this new stadium, with 42,000 supporters discovering their new home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePromotion to the Premier League — 1998-99 season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSunderland finished the 1998-99 season as \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Division champions\u003c\/strong\u003e with a record number of points for the time — 105 points in 46 matches, a performance that remains in the annals of English football. This shirt was worn during this historic campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKevin Phillips — the emergence of a future Golden Boot winner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuper Kev\u003c\/strong\u003e began to lay the groundwork for his 1999-2000 season, which would earn him the \u003cstrong\u003eEuropean Golden Shoe\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it was in this shirt that he honed his understanding with Quinn. The foundations of their legendary partnership were built during this precise period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic vintage shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e like this one is a piece produced at the time to be worn — not to be framed. The finishes, the labels, the drape of the fabric, the way the \u003cstrong\u003eAsics\u003c\/strong\u003e logo is applied: everything speaks of an era when Japanese manufacturers brought their own technical vision of sportswear, very different from Nike or Adidas standards. This is precisely what makes it a rare and sought-after item by \u003cstrong\u003evintage shirt collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis shirt is in \u003cstrong\u003e8\/10 condition with a SPOT\u003c\/strong\u003e — a slight visible imperfection that confirms this piece has truly lived its life as a football shirt. For a serious collector, this is an added authenticity: no touch-ups, no aggressive cleaning, just what time has done to a \u003cstrong\u003eSunderland Asics home shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e from the late 90s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage size guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eSizes from the late 90s do not at all follow modern standards — this is a reality that every \u003cstrong\u003evintage shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e buyer must understand before validating their order. A 1997 XL generally corresponds to a current L, sometimes even an M depending on body shape. The cuts of the era were more fitted, shorter in the back, with different armholes than what we know today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore buying, get out the tape measure. Measure your shoulder width, chest circumference, and torso length from the nape of your neck to your waist. Then compare with the actual measurements of the shirt if available. This is the only way to avoid unpleasant surprises with a \u003cstrong\u003evintage football shirt size XL\u003c\/strong\u003e from the 90s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAsics\u003c\/strong\u003e equipped very few top-level clubs in Europe in the late 90s, and Sunderland was one of that handful of clubs that wore the Japanese manufacturer's logo on their shirts. This already makes it a rarity on the market for \u003cstrong\u003eretro football shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e. Add to that the deeply local sponsor \u003cstrong\u003eLambtons\u003c\/strong\u003e, and you have a combination you won't find anywhere else. It's a page in the textile history of English football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThere aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market. A \u003cstrong\u003evintage Sunderland 1997-99 shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e in 8\/10 condition is already a fine piece — and with the emergence of the 90s as a true golden age of the \u003cstrong\u003ecollector's shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e, prices for these references are only going in one direction. If you're a Black Cats fan or simply passionate about the history of English football, this is the kind of piece that doesn't come around twice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sunderland_A.F.C.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eSunderland AFC — Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive — Shirt History\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA — European Football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eThis Sunderland Asics 1997-99 shirt is a slice of Black Cats history at the exact moment they were building something great — it's up to you to decide if you want to keep a piece of it in your collection. We're not here to convince you, we're here to show you what exists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sunderland","offers":[{"title":"XL","offer_id":54010068631827,"sku":"357038","price":124.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"XXL","offer_id":54010068664595,"sku":"355057","price":119.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1997-99-SUNDERLAND-SHIRT-XL-357038_1.jpg?v=1775420727","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1997-99-sunderland-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}