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Kit archive
Manchester City's sky blue became the durable thread through more than a century of changing fortunes. This archive traces six defining eras rather than presenting a season-by-season catalogue.
Club season 2026-27
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Founded
1880
FKB archive pick
1969 FA Cup-final Umbro red-and-black away
Current manufacturer
Puma
Archive → current season
Puma · 2026-27 · Home · Official
Move from the historical overview into the current Puma release evidence, fit guidance, comparison tools and trusted buying routes.
Source review
Reviewed 2026-07-13
FKB checked the broad chronology against the sources below. The archive deliberately groups notable periods; it does not claim to catalogue every season, variant or match-worn detail. Source links are editorial references, not buying routes.
Historical Football Kits · specialist secondary · checked 2026-07-13
A source-linked, decade-by-decade guide to Manchester City’s shirt evolution, manufacturers, sponsors and notable designs.
1880s–1950s
Founded as St. Mark's (West Gorton). Maroon for early years. Cambridge blue adopted in the 1890s and has stayed.
The early decades bounced through names (Ardwick, then Manchester City from 1894) and colours (maroon, then blue). The 1904 FA Cup-winning side cemented the sky blue identity.
Era sources
1960s–1970s
Sky-blue Umbro homes defined the period; City wore red-and-black stripes to win the 1969 FA Cup final.
City's late-60s to early-70s golden era. The Lee-Summerbee-Bell team won the league, FA Cup, League Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup. The kits were simple, timeless, and now highly collectible.
Era sources
1980s
Saab (1982-85), Philips (1985-1987), Brother (1987-1999). Chest-band patterns, V-necks, pinstripe experiments.
A yo-yo decade between the top flight and the Second Division. The Brother sponsorship began in 1987 and ran for 12 years — long enough to become part of City's visual identity.
Era sources
1990s
Brother sponsorship continues. Kappa arrives 1997 with the gold-on-blue pinstripe 1997-98. 1999-2000 home a fan favourite.
A wilderness decade culminating in relegation to the third tier in 1998 before a remarkable recovery. The 1999-2000 promotion-winning Kappa home is especially well-loved by fans who remember those dark years.
Era sources
2000s
Sponsorship era continues: First Advice (2002-2004), Thomas Cook (2004-2007), Etihad (from 2009). Umbro produces 2011-12 title-winning home.
The Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008 began the modern era. The 2011-12 Umbro home is the kit of Sergio Agüero's 93:20 — a generation-defining shirt. Etihad's sponsorship began 2009 and continues.
Era sources
2013–2026
Nike 2013-2019 produced several title-winning kits. Puma era from 2019 includes 2023 Treble-winning home. Recent kits lean into modern minimalism.
The 2017-18 Centurions home and the 2022-23 Treble-winning Puma home are distinct references from the modern era. Puma has supplied City since 2019.
Era sources
Puma has made Manchester City's kits since 2019-20 and continues to supply the current 2026-27 range.
City adopted Cambridge blue (now sky blue) in the 1890s, though the exact date and reason are debated. The colour has been the home kit's constant ever since.
FKB’s archive pick is the red-and-black striped Umbro change shirt worn in the 1969 FA Cup final. Modern reference points include the 2011-12 title-winning Umbro home and the 2022-23 Treble-winning Puma home.
Saab became City's first shirt sponsor in 1982.
Collector decision
A search result can mix period originals, later official reissues, unlicensed remakes and counterfeit listings. Match the exact season, variant, maker label and sponsor treatment; then check condition, measurements, seller evidence and the returns policy before paying. Vintage sizing can differ from today’s chart, and old namesets or patches need their own provenance check.
These are listing searches built from a source-checked season, variant and maker. They are not authenticated product matches and do not prove originality, stock, price, condition, size or seller quality. Amazon links are paid; the CFS club search is not currently commissioned.
No exact retro identity has passed FKB’s source gate for this club yet. Use the noncommissioned club search below and apply the collector checks above.
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