Mali

Mali – Home – ?

I’m not 100% sure on the authenticity of this shirt. I got it fairly cheaply, and have yet to find a photo of it being worn. Although the stitching is pretty good, and there’s a detailed Kappa badge, I am slightly concerned about the label and the quality of the material used.

Occitania

Occitania – Home – 2010


Everything that this shirt lacks in quality it more than makes up for in style. This is tartan has been taken to a level that even the Scots would be shocked by.

You wouldn’t believe that faff involved in obtaining this shirt, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I never get asked what I want for my birthday ever again. But thanks to my brother it’s finally here.

If you want to get yours then check out the shop. I recommend contacting them before hand for postal charges, they speak French, and presumably Occitanian.

In the news again

The Peterborough Evening Telegraph – Saturday 14th January 2012
My football shirt project was back in the news again this week. This time in the local Peterborough paper, and this time far more accurately reported than last time it was in the papers. Lets hope that this brings in a few more contacts!
When the article appears on the web I’ll post a link here.

Belize

 Belize – Away – 2011

The Belize national football team have done nothing of any particular note since they were inducted into FIFA in 1986. They were the first team to win in qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by coming from behind to beat the tiny island nation of Montserrat 5-2. Belize were almost kicked out of the competition all together after the Belize government failed to provide security for the home leg. The game was postponed causing disruption to the Montserrat team who had many UK based semi-pro and amatuer players.

This shirt is HUGE, and incredibly hard to find. I originally tried contacting the only footballer that I knew living in Belize, former Charlton Athletic star Andy Hunt. No luck anywhere until this randomly appeared on the US eBay. I got it, just, and for a hell of alot of money.
Embed from Getty Images

Guyana

Guyana – Home – 2011

Guyana (formely known as British Guiana) has had a football federation since 1902 which I’m guessing makes it the oldest federation in CONCACAF, I’m prepared to be corrected there. I’m probably making this all up now but I’m guessing some bloke from Britain came over with a football and spread football, like with any religion and their missionaries.
Guyana finally joined FIFA in 1968, two years after their independence from the UK. Despite never winning anything of note they have improved significantly in recent years, climed from a record low of 181st in 2004 to 86th last year. The Golden aguars leap up the FIFA world rankings is mainly thanks to a run of 10 consecutive wins in 2006 which saw them climb 87 places.
There are several Golden Jaguars in the English leagues, the most well known of which is Charlton Athletic’s Leon Cort alongside his older brother Carl Cort and Ricky Shakes of Ebbsfleet.

 I’ve managed to get hold of the final country from main land America (Belize is on it’s way). This one has frustrated me for quite some time now. Guyana got their first kit sponsorship in 2008 from the French firm “One Equipment” (or ‘OE’). However I’ve been unable to find any information about them via google. Later on in 2008 the Guyana team started playing in a copy of the OE shirt, but this time under the name ‘GJ’, presumably short for their nickname ‘Golden Jaguars’. These shirts were for sale, but only if I lived in North America.
Finally in 2011 Guyana start playing in Plus One shirts, a firm from the USA (who make their shirts in China). I’ve been trying for years to get in contact with Plus-One since they breifly supplied Haiti, and signed a contract to supply Uganda. However I never heard anything back despite them advertising sales on their website.

Here you go:
http://www.guysportsdevelopment.com/merchandise.html
Embed from Getty Images