Back in 1986, a small-time band from nowheresville released an old-style 45 rpm single for their song “The Trumpton Riots”. It was their first ever release and likely would have fallen into obscurity if not for the B side. That song was superficially about the frustration and joy of playing Subbuteo. That song was Half Man Half Biscuit’s “All I Want For Christmas is a Dukla Prague Away Kit”.
Oh my God, the hair. Was Ricky Gervais a part of this? Nevermind about that, let’s get to the shirt.
So, it’s not so bad. It’s not great either. I can’t quite understand why it would inspire a song of longing. Unless, it’s not a song of longing at all, and instead a song of class struggle in the Thatcher era.
The lyrics (and useful other info) are reproduced here. The song is not about wanting the shirt above, but instead about wanting what is not available to you. That, and hating your rich friends that get what they want when you don’t. Cheery, huh?
The club itself disappeared in the 1990s after some mergers and tough times but was reformed in 2006. Interestingly, the new version of the club switched the home and away versions of the kit so that the home kit (and the one most likely to be recognized outside of the Czech Republic) is the one above–gold with maroon trim. The new away kit is now maroon with gold trim.
Anyway, Marry Christmas, Happy Festivus, Happy Hannukah etc. If there was one special kit you’d like to see under you tree/pole/menorah this year, put it in the comments. Maybe a Santa-type character will be nice to you.
And at a table nearby I heard a girl saying
To a tall balding guest
So you’re Brad Friedel
- I’m mildly impressed
Half Man Half Biscuit is a fantastic band.
I could go for this long sleeved white Pele Cosmos shirt.
It makes me want to have a hot dog for lunch.
I always liked the lace-up from the early 90s. I’m pretty sure at least Villa and Man U had them but I can’t find any pics. I’d love to see a revamp of those.
/yes, I like laces. So what?
Umlaut: Villa lace-up, on God
And it can be yours for 55 Quid
Ince in the United laceup
Actually, though, the Liverpool laceup is the classiest. Well done, Scousers.
I’d like a Rovers “Holden” shirt that won’t be a joke in 2 weeks.
Keith – it is nice, but it’s longsleeves. Longsleeves are for p*ssies.
bergkamp: I’ve always dug longsleeves for civilian use though.
and sorry for calling you umlaut. Got confused by all the red in the gravvie
I obviously need an Oleg Luzhny kit
I liked the lace ups at the time as well, though they have WAY too much sublimated print for me now. I have to agree on longsleeves for civilian use as well. I just wish my Aberdeen one wasn’t from a two-toned year.