West Ham United Away Shirt 2011-13 Macron Vintage XXL

West Ham United Away Shirt 2011-13 — The Macron Era at the Hammers

Between 2011 and 2013, West Ham United went through a pivotal period in its modern history: a relegation to the Championship, an immediate return to the Premier League, and a Macron away shirt that accompanied every rise in pressure. This XXL vintage West Ham shirt represents two seasons of intense football encapsulated in a single fabric.

Shirt Details

Season: 2011-2013
Club: West Ham United
Type: Away
Kit manufacturer: Macron
Condition: 8/10
State: SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS, LITTLE PULLS — authentic wear of a worn vintage shirt

What this shirt represents

The 2011-2013 period is one of the most electrifying and painful experiences for West Ham supporters in the 2010s. After a catastrophic 2010-11 season that ended in relegation to the Championship, the club had to bounce back immediately or risk settling into the mediocrity of English football. This away shirt is a direct witness to that battle for survival and the quest to return to the elite.

It was in these colours that the Hammers played their 2011-12 Championship season, with the firm intention of returning to the top flight as quickly as possible. Macron, a kit manufacturer not always at the forefront of English football, signed a contract with a historic Premier League club that refused to remain in the second division. The tension was palpable, the sporting project was clear, and this shirt is its direct expression.

Moments etched in this shirt

Promotion to the Premier League via the 2012 playoffs
West Ham finished third in the Championship in 2011-12 and had to go through the playoffs to return to the top flight. The playoff final against Blackpool at Wembley — which the Hammers won — is one of the most memorable moments of that era for Upton Park fans.

Kevin Nolan, undisputed leader of the dressing room
Recruited as captain and the team's driving force, Kevin Nolan was the cornerstone of this period. His tireless work, important goals, and leadership are inseparable from the Hammers' comeback in the Championship and their subsequent Premier League survival.

Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Tê, the offensive weapons
Carlton Cole provided physical presence in attack, while Ricardo Vaz Tê — who scored the decisive goal in the playoff final — instantly became a legend of the promotion. These two names still resonate in the minds of all who followed West Ham at that time.

Authentic vs Replica

An authentic vintage shirt has nothing to do with a replica collectible mass-produced for the nostalgic market. It was made at the time to be worn on a pitch or in the stands, with the original finishes, materials, and flocking. That's what gives a West Ham collector's shirt like this its value: it comes directly from that period, not from a reproduction factory.

This one is rated 8/10, with slightly used prints and a few small pulls on the fabric — exactly what you'd expect from a shirt that has lived a life. These small details are not disqualifying flaws; they are proof of its existence. A vintage shirt in 8/10 condition is the cream of the second-hand market: worn just enough to be real, not enough to be damaged.

Vintage Size Guide

The sizes of vintage football shirts from the 2010s — and even Macron shirts from that period — follow cuts that don't always match current standards. An XXL from that era can easily be equivalent to a modern L or XL depending on the brand, notably because the cuts were more fitted at the shoulders and chest. Do not order based solely on your usual size in 2024.

The foolproof method: take a tape measure and compare the actual measurements of the shirt with a t-shirt you wear regularly. Measure the shoulder width flat and the chest circumference. If you have any doubt, do not hesitate to contact us directly — we prefer a customer who orders the right shirt the first time rather than an unnecessary return.

Why have it in your collection

The West Ham 2011-13 Macron away shirt is a rare item on the vintage market. Firstly, because Macron only supplied West Ham for a short period, which mechanically limits the number of available pieces. Secondly, because this pivotal era — relegation, promotion, epic playoffs — makes it a shirt loaded with real sporting history, not just a piece of flocked fabric. Premier League and Championship shirt collectors know how to recognise this type of piece when it appears.

In 8/10 condition, this shirt is in a state that is becoming seriously rare on the market. Most shirts from this era that are still circulating are either too worn to be worn with pride or are fakes. Here, we're talking about a piece that can go straight into a display case or onto your back — your choice. There aren't many in this condition, and those that exist don't stay available for long.

To go further

• West Ham United — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — Kit history
• Premier League — Official website
• UEFA — European football

This shirt won't stay on the shelf for long — great pieces from the Hammers' Championship era sell quickly. If you're an Upton Park fan or simply a lover of authentic English football, you know what you need to do.