{"product_id":"1999-01-watford-bakalli-shirt","title":"Watford Away Shirt 1999-2001 Le Coq Sportif Bakalli Vintage","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eWatford Away Shirt 1999-2001 — Le Coq Sportif, BAKALLI flocking, size 2XL\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBetween 1999 and 2001, Watford navigated troubled waters between the \u003cstrong\u003ePremier League\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Division\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it was in this context of emotional rollercoaster that this \u003cstrong\u003eLe Coq Sportif away shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e was born. Flocked with the name of \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Bakalli\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Belgian midfielder who briefly played in Hertfordshire, it's a piece as rare as it is unexpected. Sponsored by \u003cstrong\u003ePhones 4U\u003c\/strong\u003e, this \u003cstrong\u003evintage Watford shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e ticks all the boxes for a niche collector's item — and in 2XL, it's not a common find.\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 1999-2001\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Watford\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Away\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Le Coq Sportif\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e PHONES 4U\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS, LITTLE SPOT — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, traces of life that tell a real story\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 late 90s at Watford was the reign of \u003cstrong\u003eGraham Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e, who had returned to lead the club he had made famous in the 80s. The Hornets were then in a pivotal period: they secured \u003cstrong\u003epromotion to the Premier League\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1999 via the championship play-offs, an achievement that electrified all of Hertfordshire. The club returned to English football's top flight for the first time in years, and it was in this atmosphere of renewal that this away shirt came to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e1999-2000 Premier League\u003c\/strong\u003e season proved difficult sportingly, and Watford quickly dropped back down to the second tier. Players like \u003cstrong\u003eTommy Mooney\u003c\/strong\u003e, a tough and iconic striker of that era, or \u003cstrong\u003eAllan Smart\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose goal in the play-off semi-final against Birmingham City remains memorable, proudly wore this shirt. And in that squad, there was also \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Bakalli\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose name is precisely flocked on the jersey you see before you.\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\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReturn to the Premier League — May 1999\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nVia the championship play-offs, Watford secured their promotion to the top flight, plunging an entire region back into the fervour of great English football. This away shirt directly stems from that period of renewed euphoria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Premier League season to survive — 1999-2000\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFacing the giants of the era — champions \u003cstrong\u003eManchester United\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eArsenal\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eChelsea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Watford struggled and were eventually relegated, but they picked up points and moments of bravery on the pitches of the elite. The away shirts worn that season saw some big names on the opposing side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Bakalli, a rare name on a shirt from that era\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBelgian midfielder \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Bakalli\u003c\/strong\u003e may not have left an indelible mark on the club's history, but that's precisely what makes this flocking precious. Finding a \u003cstrong\u003eflocked shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e of a rotation player from that era, in size 2XL and good condition, is the kind of piece that disappears from radar without warning.\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;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003evintage authentic shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e is a piece made to be worn — on the pitch or in the stands — not to stay in a blister pack. The cuts are different from mass-market replicas, the fabrics more technical for the time, and the finishes bear the manufacturing codes of the 90s-2000s: woven labels, heat-pressed or embroidered flocking depending on the case, period interior markings. All of this is what distinguishes the true collector from someone who buys a poster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eOn this shirt, the \u003cstrong\u003e8\/10\u003c\/strong\u003e condition is honest and realistic: \"SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS, LITTLE SPOT\" — the flocking shows slight wear from use, and there's a small stain. Nothing that disfigures the piece, all of which confirms that this shirt truly existed, in the real life of a fan or player. For a \u003cstrong\u003eLe Coq Sportif shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e of this generation, it's a more than respectable condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage sizing guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage sizes from the 90s and 2000s\u003c\/strong\u003e do not follow current standards. A 2XL from that era might correspond to a modern XL depending on the brand and cut. \u003cstrong\u003eLe Coq Sportif\u003c\/strong\u003e shirts from this period tend to have a more fitted cut than what the label suggests, with narrower shoulders and a body length often shorter than current standards for a large size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore confirming your order, take your measurements: \u003cstrong\u003echest circumference\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eback length\u003c\/strong\u003e are the two key pieces of information. Measure a T-shirt you regularly wear in XL or 2XL and compare — it's the only way to avoid unpleasant surprises. If in doubt, contact us directly, we're here to help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy you need it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eWatford away shirt\u003c\/strong\u003e from this period, in a large size, signed \u003cstrong\u003eLe Coq Sportif\u003c\/strong\u003e with the \u003cstrong\u003ePhones 4U\u003c\/strong\u003e sponsor — which disappeared in 2003 — and flocked with a name as improbable as Adrian Bakalli: this is the kind of combination you won't find by opening a new tab. Collectors of \u003cstrong\u003evintage English football shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e from the 90s know that second-tier clubs from that era produce the most sought-after pieces in the medium term, precisely because they were manufactured in smaller quantities and are less frequently put back on sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eAt 8\/10, this shirt is in a condition that allows it to be displayed or worn without hesitation. There aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market — most have disappeared into attics or been worn until threadbare. This one has survived in good condition, and it's a real opportunity for anyone looking for a \u003cstrong\u003erare piece of English football history\u003c\/strong\u003e from the turn of the millennium.\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\/Watford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWatford — 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;\"\u003eIf you're building a collection of \u003cstrong\u003evintage English football shirts\u003c\/strong\u003e from the 90s-2000s and want something no one else has on their wall, this flocked Bakalli Watford shirt is exactly the kind of piece that makes a difference. It's up to you to decide if you let it pass you by.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Watford","offers":[{"title":"2XL","offer_id":54010311508243,"sku":"309924","price":119.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1999-01-WATFORD-BAKALLI-SHIRT-2XL-309924_1.jpg?v=1775445332","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1999-01-watford-bakalli-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}