VfL Bochum Away Shirt FABER 1997-99 Vintage 2XL

VfL Bochum 1997-99 — The FABER long-sleeve away shirt that smells of coal and Bundesliga

In the late 90s, the Ruhrgebiet was still running at full throttle, and VfL Bochum was a German football institution that refused to be swallowed by the giants. This FABER 1997-99 long-sleeve away shirt in size 2XL is exactly that: serious, authentic, and from an era when Bundesliga football still had that rough, sincere taste that is missing today.

Shirt details

Season: 1997-1999
Club: VfL Bochum
Type: Away
Kit manufacturer: FABER
Condition: 8/10
State: LITTLE SPOT — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, a small discreet stain that tells its story without disfiguring it

What this shirt represents

Between 1997 and 1999, VfL Bochum navigated the middle of the Bundesliga table with admirable consistency. Not a title-winning club, not a superstar club — but a pure football club, rooted in the working-class city of Bochum, in the Ruhr, with fans who never gave up. The Ruhrstadion roared at every match; supporters didn't come to see a show, they came to support their lads, no matter what. This vintage collector's shirt carries that very identity on its shoulders.

The kit manufacturer FABER is not a name you see everywhere in collectors' display cases, and that's precisely what makes this shirt so valuable. In the late 90s, several second-tier German clubs chose regional or less-publicized kit manufacturers than Adidas or Nike, which today results in ultra-rare pieces on the vintage market. This long-sleeve away shirt is one of those pieces you don't come across every day on resale platforms.

Moments etched in this shirt

Bundesliga stability that commands admiration
Between 1997 and 1999, VfL Bochum remained in the German football elite without ever making headlines — and that's an achievement in itself. In a league as demanding as the Bundesliga, surviving season after season without the budgets of the big clubs is already a permanent form of victory.

Players who left their mark in the Ruhr
This period saw solid players wear the blue and white home shirt and fight on all German pitches when away. Names like Peter Neururer leading the club from the bench, or players trained in the VfL work ethic, perfectly embody what this club represents: no frills, just hard work. The long-sleeve away shirt was what they put on to grab points on hostile grounds, on November evenings when it got dark at 5 pm.

Ruhr football in its rawest form
The late 90s in the Bundesliga was a pivotal era: before the explosion of TV rights that would change everything, before football became a large-scale marketing product. VfL Bochum from 1997-99 represents that kind of football — from before the big shift — and this shirt is its direct witness. That's why collectors of vintage German football shirts fight for such pieces.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage shirt is not a replica printed in 2024. It's a garment that existed during that precise era, manufactured using the techniques and materials of the time, distributed and worn — sometimes on football pitches, sometimes in stands. The difference can be felt in the touch, seen in the cut, and read in the manufacturing details. An authentic FABER from 1997-99 looks like nothing else.

This one is rated 8/10 with a LITTLE SPOT — a small discreet stain that doesn't tarnish the beauty of the piece but proves that this shirt has had a life. For a serious collector, this light wear is a guarantee of authenticity, not a prohibitive defect. Overly perfect shirts often cause more fear than anything else in the world of vintage football.

Vintage sizing guide

A vintage 90s 2XL doesn't correspond to a modern 2XL — far from it. The cuts of that era are generally more fitted, with narrower shoulders, and a less generous drape than today's loose modern cuts. What is tagged 2XL can easily correspond to an XL or even an L by current standards, depending on the brand and country of manufacture.

Before you fall in love, measure your chest circumference and compare it with the exact measurements of the shirt — don't hesitate to contact us for them. A long-sleeve away shirt can also be worn with a little extra room for comfort, but it's better to check before buying than to regret it upon receipt. Vintage items cannot be returned.

Why have it in your collection

The vintage VfL Bochum shirt is the archetype of the smart collector's jersey. Not an ultra-mainstream club whose vintage shirts are found everywhere, but a true historic Bundesliga club with a strong identity — which makes pieces rarer and often more interesting to own in the long run. Add to that the kit manufacturer FABER, confidential and therefore very poorly represented in collections, and you have a combination that is not likely to be found on every street corner.

And frankly, long-sleeve FABER VfL Bochum away shirts from the late 90s in 8/10 condition... there aren't many in this state still floating around. Most have disappeared into the back of closets or have been worn too much to be worth anything anymore. This one is a quiet gem for anyone who recognizes the value of an authentic piece of retro German football.

To go further

• VfL Bochum — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — History of football shirts
• UEFA — European Football

If you're looking for a shirt that tells a true story, that of a club that gave its all without ever pretending, this VfL Bochum FABER long-sleeve away shirt 1997-99 is for you — it's up to you to decide if you're ready to welcome it.