{"product_id":"1998-99-sunderland-shirt","title":"Sunderland Home Shirt Asics 1998-99 Vintage XL","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eSunderland 1998-99 – The Asics shirt from a season of resurgence at the Stadium of Light\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn 1998-99, \u003cstrong\u003eSunderland AFC\u003c\/strong\u003e played their second full season in their brand new \u003cstrong\u003eStadium of Light\u003c\/strong\u003e, opened in 1997, and aimed for an immediate return to England's top flight after relegation to the First Division. This \u003cstrong\u003evintage Asics home shirt, size XL\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a direct testament to one of the greatest promotion campaigns in the club's history.\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 1998-99\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunderland AFC\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Home\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit manufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asics\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e XL\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e PULLS, BUBBLES – authentic wear of a worn vintage shirt, traces of time that give it its collector's character.\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\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe 1998-99 season is one of the most important in \u003cstrong\u003eSunderland\u003c\/strong\u003e's modern history. Relegated to the First Division at the end of the 1996-97 season despite a spell in the Premier League, the club, led by manager \u003cstrong\u003ePeter Reid\u003c\/strong\u003e, began an ambitious rebuilding process. Reid, who had been in charge since 1995, transformed the Black Cats into a compact, hard-to-play-against unit, with a clear playing identity and a winning culture that was beginning to bear fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eStadium of Light\u003c\/strong\u003e, inaugurated in 1997, had already become a fortress. Sunderland fans, among the most loyal and vocal in England, filled the stadium at every match with a fervour that rivalled the biggest clubs in the country. This \u003cstrong\u003eAsics home shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e is what the players wore in front of this electric crowd, with the common goal of returning to the Premier League.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this shirt\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 1998-99 First Division title: undisputed champions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSunderland won the First Division championship at the end of the 1998-99 season with a historic total of \u003cstrong\u003e105 points\u003c\/strong\u003e, an absolute record for the division at the time. It was an almost perfect campaign, driven by impressive consistency and a tight-knit squad that crushed the competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKevin Phillips, the season's revelation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKevin Phillips\u003c\/strong\u003e, who arrived at Sunderland in 1997, truly burst onto the scene during this First Division season. His partnership with \u003cstrong\u003eNiall Quinn\u003c\/strong\u003e, the great Irish striker, formed one of the most formidable attacking duos in English football at the time – a marriage of perfect complementarity between the goalscorer's finesse and the target man's physical presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe fervour of the Stadium of Light as the main weapon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAt home during this season, Sunderland were simply unstoppable. The \u003cstrong\u003eStadium of Light\u003c\/strong\u003e quickly became one of the most intimidating stadiums in the English Football League, with record attendances and an atmosphere that pushed the players to excel every weekend.\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\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic vintage shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e is not a collector's item made today to look like it's from that era. It's the real shirt, the one that circulated in the changing rooms, in the stands, in the hands of fans who lived through that season in real time. The finishes, the labels, the fabric, the cut – everything reflects the manufacturing standards of \u003cstrong\u003eAsics in the late 90s\u003c\/strong\u003e, a time when the Japanese kit manufacturer had a real presence in English football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003epulls and bubbles\u003c\/strong\u003e reported on this shirt in 8\/10 condition are not hidden flaws – they are irrefutable proof that this shirt has lived. A modern replica will come out of the box pristine and odourless; an authentic 1998-99 shirt carries 25 years of textile history. This is precisely what a true \u003cstrong\u003evintage shirt collector\u003c\/strong\u003e looks for.\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\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage shirts from the late 90s\u003c\/strong\u003e are sized according to the standards of the time, significantly more fitted than current cuts. A vintage XL often corresponds to a modern L, sometimes even an M for larger builds. Not taking this difference into account is the best way to receive a shirt that doesn't fit your shoulders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore confirming your order, measure your shoulder width and chest circumference, then compare with the flat measurements of the shirt. If you're hesitant between two sizes, don't hesitate to contact us – we're here to guide you and avoid any unpleasant surprises. A \u003cstrong\u003evintage Asics XL shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e from this era generally has a chest width of around 58-60 cm when laid flat.\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\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunderland's Asics shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e from the late 90s are rare pieces in the vintage market. Asics only supplied the club for a short period, which makes every authentic copy all the more difficult to find. Add to that the fact that it's the shirt from a historic season – the 105-point First Division title – and you understand why collectors of \u003cstrong\u003eEnglish retro shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e fight for this kind of piece as soon as it appears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn 8\/10 condition, this shirt remains in very solid condition for its age. The reported signs of wear – pulls and bubbles – are minor and do not compromise the visual integrity of the piece. There aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market, and those that do appear sell quickly. If you collect \u003cstrong\u003evintage English football shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e or Sunderland is in your heart, this is the time.\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 A.F.C. – 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;\"\u003eA shirt of champions of the second divisions of England, signed Asics, from the season of 105 points – if that's not enough to convince you, we don't know what else to say.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sunderland","offers":[{"title":"XL","offer_id":54010071384339,"sku":"338719","price":139.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1998-99-SUNDERLAND-SHIRT-XL-338719_1.jpg?v=1775420742","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1998-99-sunderland-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}