Vintage 90s Portsmouth Sondico shirt - Costello L printing

Portsmouth FC x Sondico — Vintage Pompey shirt, size L, with Costello print

A vintage Portsmouth Sondico shirt with the name Costello printed on it — a truly unique piece, straight from an era when Pompey played in the English lower divisions before rising through the ranks. Rare, authentic, worn: exactly what a true collector is looking for.

Shirt details

Season: 1990s (Sondico / Portsmouth era)
Club: Portsmouth FC
Manufacturer: Sondico
Print: Costello
Size: L
Condition: 8/10
State: STAIN — authentic wear of a worn vintage shirt

What this shirt represents

In the 1990s, Portsmouth FC went through a period of sporting and financial turbulence, which was not exceptional for this club accustomed to ups and downs. Pompey then played between the English First Division and Second Division, still far from the peaks that would come later with Milan Mandarić and the Redknapp years. It was a time of rebuilding, of battles in the intermediate divisions of English football, where the club had to hold on to its identity and its supporters from Fratton Park to stay afloat.

It was in this context that Sondico, a discreet but solid British equipment manufacturer, dressed the Portsmouth players. The brand did not have the notoriety of an Umbro or an Admiral, but its shirts were robust, made for everyday football, that of damp changing rooms and English pitches in November. Players like Guy Butters, Alan McLoughlin, and Paul Walsh wore Pompey's colours during this period, embodying this typical Portsmouth resistance to the vagaries of English football.

Moments etched into this shirt

Fratton Park, fortress of the difficult years
In the 1990s, Fratton Park remained one of England's most atmospheric stadiums despite the lower divisions. Portsmouth supporters maintained an intact fervour even during difficult sporting times, which makes every shirt from this era a direct witness to this unfailing loyalty.

Alan McLoughlin and the FA Cup — cup football that animates Pompey
Portsmouth has always had a special relationship with knockout competitions, and the Sondico years are no exception. The FA Cup campaigns during this period were an opportunity for Pompey to make a name for themselves on the national stage, with occasional exploits against higher division clubs that thrilled the South Coast.

The Costello print — a human trace on the shirt
This Costello printed shirt bears a proper name, that of a player, an amateur, or a supporter who wanted to appropriate this piece of Pompey. That's the true value of a worn vintage shirt: it didn't come out of a vacuum-sealed warehouse, it has a history, an identity, a life before arriving in your collection.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage shirt is one that was actually worn — in a match, in training, or in the stands by a supporter who wanted to feel part of the club. It's not a reproduction made in a factory ten years after the fact: it's raw material, fabric, raw history. The cut is different, the finishes are from the era, and the badge is sewn, not hastily printed.

This one has a condition of 8/10 with a slight stain — which, in the world of serious vintage, is perfectly honest. The stain is part of the story. A shirt without any imperfections after thirty years is either a fake or a shirt that has never left its box. This one has lived. And that's exactly what we're looking for.

Vintage sizing guide

Vintage sizes from the 1990s do not correspond to modern standards. An L from that era often fits like a modern M, sometimes even an S depending on the brand. Sondico is no exception: the cut is more fitted, shorter in the back, with narrower sleeves than what we are used to today. If you wear a comfortable modern L, this shirt should fit you — but be careful.

Before confirming your order, take a measuring tape and measure your chest flat, then your back from the collar to the hem. Compare with the exact measurements of the item if available, or contact the store directly. These two minutes can prevent disappointment. A collector's Portsmouth Sondico shirt that doesn't fit is heartbreaking.

Why have it in your collection

Sondico is not Adidas or Nike. That's precisely why this shirt is rare. Niche British equipment manufacturers of the 1990s produced limited quantities for specific clubs over short periods. Finding a vintage Portsmouth Sondico shirt in 2024, especially with a print, is a real hunt. Collectors specializing in retro English football know exactly what we're talking about.

In 8/10 condition, with an honestly declared simple stain, this shirt ranks among the best for a piece of this age. There aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market — most have been lost, damaged, or are gathering dust in attics without ever seeing the light of day again. This one is here, available, size L, and waiting for the right collector of vintage Portsmouth shirts.

To go further

• Portsmouth FC — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — History of Kits
• UEFA — European Football

If you seriously collect English football from the 1990s, this Portsmouth Sondico shirt with Costello print is not an option — it's a must-have. Your move.