Leicester City 2005-06 JJB Sports Vintage Shirt Size L

Leicester City 2005-06 Kit — The Championship Era with JJB Sports and Alliance Leicester

The 2005-06 Leicester City season saw the club starting from scratch after relegation to the Championship — the English second division — attempting to rebuild away from the Premier League spotlight. This vintage JJB Sports kit sponsored by Alliance Leicester is a direct witness to a pivotal period in the history of the Foxes.

Kit Details

Season: 2005-06
Club: Leicester City
Kit Manufacturer: JJB Sports
Sponsor: Alliance Leicester
Condition: 8/10
State: SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS, LITTLE SPOTS — authentic wear of a worn vintage kit

What This Kit Represents

In 2005-06, Leicester City played in the Football League Championship after being relegated from the Premier League in 2004. The club was going through a period of serious financial and sporting turmoil — Leicester had even narrowly avoided liquidation in 2002. That season, the Foxes sought their identity and tried to return to the top flight with a squad undergoing reconstruction. Wearing this kit means wearing the history of a club that never gives up, even during tough times.

On the field at the King Power Stadium — then still called Walkers Stadium — players like Mark de Vries, Iain Hume, and Patrick Kisnorbo carried the hopes of the fans. Manager Craig Levein took the reins at the start of the season before stepping down. It was an era of transitions, sporting gambles, and intense, no-holds-barred Championship football — exactly the kind of football true connoisseurs respect.

Moments Etched into This Kit

Walkers Stadium as a Fortress
In 2005-06, Leicester's Walkers Stadium remained one of the hottest stadiums in the Championship. Foxes fans continued to show up despite the division, and the atmosphere during the Midlands derbies remained electric — exactly what this kit witnessed in the stands or on the pitch.

Alliance Leicester, a Sponsor Rooted in Club History
The Alliance Leicester logo on the chest is no accident — the bank based in the East Midlands was a historical partner of the club, and its presence on this kit reflects the strong ties between Leicester City and its region. This is a detail that makes all the difference for collectors looking for an authentic vintage kit rooted in its era.

JJB Sports: A Mid-2000s Kit Manufacturer
JJB Sports is not one of the big names like Nike or Adidas, and that's precisely what makes this kit interesting for a serious collector. The British manufacturer kitted out several lower-league English clubs in the 2000s, producing well-designed pieces but in much more limited quantities than the market giants. Finding a JJB kit in good condition in 2024 is already a small victory.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage football kit is a piece that existed in the real world — not a reissue, not a reproduction made to look good without a story behind it. The stitching, the flocking, the cut, the internal labels: everything speaks of a specific era. On JJB Sports mid-2000s productions, you find specific finishes that allow experienced collectors to date and authenticate a piece at first glance.

This one is advertised in condition 8/10 with some slightly worn prints and small spots — this is the honest wear of a kit that has lived. Not a kit taken out of its plastic packaging never having been touched, but not a rag either. This is the sweet spot of the vintage football shirt: worn enough to be real, clean enough to be worn or proudly displayed.

Vintage Size Guide

Vintage kits from the 2000s consistently run smaller than modern cuts. A 2005 Large often corresponds to a current Medium, or even a Small depending on the brand. The fit is more tailored, closer to the body — very different from the long, loose cuts you see today. Do not order blindly by relying solely on the letter on the label.

Before buying, take a tape measure and measure your reference kit flat: shoulder width, chest width, total length. Compare with the product measurements if available, or contact the store directly. A well-fitting collector's kit is a kit you actually wear — not a kit you regret buying because it ends up at the bottom of a drawer.

Why Have It in Your Collection

English club kits in the Championship in the 2000s are largely underrated in the retro football kit market. Everyone chases after Liverpool 2005 or Chelsea 2006 — and that's precisely why pieces from less prominent clubs from those eras become more interesting. A Leicester City 2005-06 JJB Sports kit with Alliance Leicester sponsor is a rare, specific piece that tells a true story of popular English football.

In condition 8/10 with minimal wear, this kit is top-tier for a piece almost twenty years old. There aren't many in this condition — the majority of Championship kits from that era were worn out or simply disappeared. This one has survived well, and that's saying something. Whether you're a Leicester City fan, a collector of JJB kits, or simply a fan of English football from that period, this piece deserves a place in your collection.

To Go Further

• Leicester City — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — Kit History
• UEFA — European Football

If you're looking for a kit that's off the beaten path and speaks to real English football — no glitter, just Championship and the Midlands — this Leicester 2005-06 is for you. It's your move.