{"product_id":"1997-99-vfl-bochum-hofmann-player-issue-longsleeve-shirt","title":"VFL Bochum 1997-99 Third Faber Player Issue Hofmann Shirt","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eVFL Bochum 1997-99 — The Faber Sports Wear Third Kit with Hofmann Printing, Authentic Player Issue\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn the late 90s, the \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e was in full swing and \u003cstrong\u003eVFL Bochum\u003c\/strong\u003e fought season after season to maintain its position in the German elite. This \u003cstrong\u003elong-sleeved third kit in XXL size\u003c\/strong\u003e, supplied by \u003cstrong\u003eFaber Sports Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e and bearing the \u003cstrong\u003eHofmann\u003c\/strong\u003e printing, is an authentic \u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e — not a replica, not a fan jersey, but a piece that almost graced the pitches of the Ruhr.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey 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 VFL Bochum\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Third\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit Manufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Faber Sports Wear\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e FABER LOTTO SERVICE\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e SPONSOR: FABER LOTTO SERVICE — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, in exceptional condition for a piece of this age\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVFL Bochum\u003c\/strong\u003e in the late 90s was a club that perfectly embodied the DNA of \u003cstrong\u003eRuhr\u003c\/strong\u003e football — hard-working, combative, never giving up. Between 1997 and 1999, the club navigated the troubled waters of the mid-table \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e, far from the spotlight of the big teams but strong enough never to sink. It was a time when loyalty to the club took precedence over overly ambitious goals, and that was evident in every match at the \u003cstrong\u003eRuhrstadion\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIt was also the period when players like \u003cstrong\u003eDariusz Wosz\u003c\/strong\u003e, the technical maestro of the Bochum midfield, delighted the stands with his inspirations. Goalkeeper \u003cstrong\u003eRein van Duijnhoven\u003c\/strong\u003e and defensive warriors formed a compact, difficult-to-maneuver group. The \u003cstrong\u003eHofmann\u003c\/strong\u003e printing on this jersey refers to one of those unsung heroes who helped keep Bochum in the top flight season after season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA hard-fought battle for Bundesliga survival, season after season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVFL Bochum during this period always managed to find the necessary resources to stay in the German top flight, which in itself represents a form of performance in a league as competitive as the \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga of the 90s\u003c\/strong\u003e. Holding their own against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, or Bayer Leverkusen with a limited squad was already quite an achievement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDariusz Wosz, the technical gem at the heart of Bochum's play\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis attacking midfielder of Polish origin represented one of the few sources of creativity in a decidedly pragmatic team. His ability to emerge from free kicks or launch quick counter-attacks gave \u003cstrong\u003eVFL Bochum\u003c\/strong\u003e that unpredictable dimension that made hard-fought away draws almost joyful for the fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFaber Sports Wear, the local kit manufacturer and the regional dimension of the club\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile most European clubs of that era were starting to shift towards large sportswear multinationals, \u003cstrong\u003eVFL Bochum\u003c\/strong\u003e maintained a partnership with \u003cstrong\u003eFaber Sports Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e, a kit manufacturer rooted in German football culture. This choice says something essential about the club's identity — a certain resistance to the prevailing consumerism of 90s football.\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;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is a category all its own in the world of \u003cstrong\u003evintage collector's jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e. It's not a jersey intended for sale in stores, nor a simple enlarged replica — it's a piece prepared for the professional locker room, with the finishes, materials, and printing corresponding to the standards of the time for players. The difference is visible and felt in the hand of the fabric, the quality of the flocking, and the construction details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis one, in \u003cstrong\u003e9\/10 condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, is remarkably well-preserved for a jersey of this generation. The sponsor \u003cstrong\u003eFaber Lotto Service\u003c\/strong\u003e is clearly present and legible, the \u003cstrong\u003eHofmann\u003c\/strong\u003e printing holds perfectly — these are precisely the kinds of details that make a \u003cstrong\u003e90s authentic Bundesliga jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e valuable in the vintage football market.\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;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90s vintage sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e do not correspond to current standards, even for an XXL. The cuts of that era are generally shorter, with wider shoulders and a different drape than what modern jerseys offer. A vintage XXL might correspond to a contemporary XL depending on the brand, and here \u003cstrong\u003eFaber Sports Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e generally follows the German cut conventions of the time — generous in shoulder width, a little short in body length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore confirming your order, take the time to measure a jersey you already own and find to be your size. Then compare it with the actual measurements of this piece. Chest width and total length are the two key measurements to check — that's consistently where surprises arise with \u003cstrong\u003evintage XXL jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e. Don't hesitate to contact us for exact measurements if you have any doubts.\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;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFaber Sports Wear VFL Bochum jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e from the late 90s are among the hardest pieces to find on the \u003cstrong\u003eGerman vintage football jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e market. The regional kit manufacturer, the third version — thus produced in much smaller quantities than the home or away kits — and the \u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue status with printing\u003c\/strong\u003e: this triple combo makes it a seriously rare piece. Bundesliga collections from that era suffer from a general lack of documentation, making each find even more precious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e9\/10 condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, there aren't many in this state on the market — and even fewer with intact player printing. This jersey has survived almost thirty years without significant wear, which is quite incredible for a piece that was originally intended for use on the field. Whether you are a specialized collector of \u003cstrong\u003evintage Bundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e or simply a fan of authentic German football, this is the kind of jersey you regret not having acquired when the opportunity rarely arises.\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\/VfL_Bochum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eVFL Bochum - 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 - Kit 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;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003e90s VFL Bochum third Player Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e with printing in 9\/10 condition doesn't stick around for long — if you're here, you've got a good eye.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New in","offers":[{"title":"XXL","offer_id":54028814876947,"sku":"372574","price":599.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1997-99-VFL-BOCHUM-HOFMANN-PLAYER-ISSUE-LONGSLEEVE-SHIRT-XXL-372574_2.jpg?v=1775687287","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1997-99-vfl-bochum-hofmann-player-issue-longsleeve-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}