Widnes Kit History

[Crow Eater]

Following a forum discussion regarding the 2011 kit and it's place in the history of Widnes kits, I contacted the Essendon AFL (Aussie Rules) Club about their kit (still in use) which is similar to what I understand was the original Black & Red sash Widnes (Farnworth?) kit at the turn of the century.

Does anyone have any details aboutWidnes kits in those EARLY DAYS?
Is there a page showing the history of our club kit? (If not perhaps there should be one! (E.G. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/historical-lfc-kits)).

Below is the Essendon History which was sent to me, along with a request for more info re Widnes kit.

"Hello,

thanks for your email. That’s very interesting. Essendon is reputed to have the longest unchanged jumper in international sport.

The red sash was adopted in 1877 and originally on what is recorded as a navy jumper. not a black one. The note below in bold comes from the publication The Fooballer which ran for three years in the mid 1870s. The cap and hose (socks) were red and black so these colours have been part of the club since at least 1875.

The McCracken family who formed the club have red and black in their family crest and red and black were the predominant colours of other clubs they were involved with eg rowing.

If you know anything more about Widnes Vikings I’d be keen to hear it.

regards Gregor McCaskie

Essendon Uniform:
1875 Footballer: "Blue guernsey and knickerbockers, red and black cap & hose
1876 Footballer: "Blue knickerbockers and jersey red and black cap & hose."
1877 Footballer: "Blue jersey and knickerbockers, red and black hose & cap, & a red sash over the left shoulder."

Any help would be gratefully received, ta!

[Paul D]

I have seen some early picture of Widnes playing in a an all white kit with a single black hoop on body and arms (a'la Hull KR).  The picture dated from the 40's I think just before the black and white hoops came in

[prehensile]

The hoops came in a lot earlier than the 1940s I'm sure, although I don't know exactly when.

[John S]

The hoops came in a lot earlier than the 1940s I'm sure, although I don't know exactly when.

I'm sure you are right.  Pictures of the 1930 cup winning team show them in hoops I think.

[HopeThisHelps]

The hoops came in a lot earlier than the 1940s I'm sure, although I don't know exactly when.

September 1892.

Not sure of the exact day of the month, sorry. 

[Mr Widnes]

I have seen some early picture of Widnes playing in a an all white kit with a single black hoop on body and arms (a'la Hull KR).  The picture dated from the 40's I think just before the black and white hoops came in

I quite like the sound of that kit.

[Peter]

The hoops came in a lot earlier than the 1940s I'm sure, although I don't know exactly when.

I have pictures dating back to 1930 with Widnes wearing black and white hoops.  They also played in very narrow black and white hoops on occasion.

[Peter]

Just adding to that previous post, my Uncle Jack played for Widnes from 1926  to 1930 and I saw a large framed photo in his front room of him with a hooped jersey. It was black and white, like all photos then.

[HopeThisHelps]

This picture is from 1896 and the hoops are all ready there although the style is a bit mixed.

The dark shorts may be blue.

The club members had a vote one season (1893/94 I think) and chose b&w hoops and blue knickers from about half a dozen options.

The blue may have stick around into the NU era.

[HopeThisHelps]

I mean this picture...

[Peter]

This picture is from 1896 and the hoops are all ready there although the style is a bit mixed.
The dark shorts may be blue.
The club members had a vote one season (1893/94 I think) and chose b&w hoops and blue knickers from about half a dozen options.
The blue may have stick around into the NU era.

That is pretty definite, and a great piece of history.

[NAT]

 Look at the avatar my grandad 1937 he wore pretty much the same shirt in 34 30 and I think for most of his playing life . There are those who say that because the team didn't start playing wearing black and white hoops they are not traditional well as far as I've ever known a tradition is something that has been handed down from generation to generation without a great deal of change . So there can be no doubt that the most traditional thing for a Widnes kit is regular black and white hoops , forget all the playing about with things in recent decades I'd love to see us run out for our (fingers crossed) return to the top flight next season in the shirt that the greats of the past wore .

[Rickp]

Look at the avatar my grandad 1937 he wore pretty much the same shirt in 34 30 and I think for most of his playing life . There are those who say that because the team didn't start playing wearing black and white hoops they are not traditional well as far as I've ever known a tradition is something that has been handed down from generation to generation without a great deal of change . So there can be no doubt that the most traditional thing for a Widnes kit is regular black and white hoops , forget all the playing about with things in recent decades I'd love to see us run out for our (fingers crossed) return to the top flight next season in the shirt that the greats of the past wore .

So would I.
Here's a question can anybody remember when the first time we wore the all white jersey with black shorts?
I seem to remember that it was in a match in The BBC's Floodlit Trophy on our Centenary Season 1973. Although we've established that. that wasn't our Centenary season. Is there anybody out there who begs to differ. One thing I do know it definately was an evening KO, because I was there & it was definately after I had my tea. Not after my Sunday Dinner because we always had our Sunday Dinner after the game,

[HopeThisHelps]

So would I.
Here's a question can anybody remember when the first time we wore the all white jersey with black shorts?
I seem to remember that it was in a match in The BBC's Floodlit Trophy on our Centenary Season 1973. Although we've established that. that wasn't our Centenary season. Is there anybody out there who begs to differ. One thing I do know it definately was an evening KO, because I was there & it was definately after I had my tea. Not after my Sunday Dinner because we always had our Sunday Dinner after the game,

Not got them to hand but I'm sure there were programmes from 72/73 - the old style with photos on cover - where we were in White tops, black shorts.

[prehensile]

I think the kit change was one of Vince Karalius's innovations when he first became coach - 1972?