Puma went back to basics for their 2010-11 shirt. Evoking memories of the iconic 1990-92 Chad offering. The new shirt was a plain red and white shirt with a black V-neck and trim. The red stripe was slightly darker than the previous seasons, and a special version of the shirt detailing the occasion was worn as Brentford were defeated in the JPT Final in April 2011. A thinner stripe, a lighter red and the return of a shirt collar were seen on the 2011-12 shirt, along with solid red shoulders and a double black stripe.
Puma’s last shirt (for the 2012-13 season) will forever be associated with the 30 second period during the last game where so much appeared to be lost.
Thicker stripes returned, this time encased in a black pinstripe, and unusually the manufacturers logo was given its own section on the top right shoulder.
The plain white back section was seen as players collapsed onto the Griffin Park turf after Doncaster scored in the last minute to clinch promotion and doom Brentford to the play offs.
Adidas returned after a 32-year absence as technical partners for 2013-14 with their Climalite shirt. The launch shirt was a return to a basic style; three white stripes on a red shirt, a central Adidas logo, a solid red back and the famous three stripes in white running from collar to cuff.
Mark Warburton’s squad sealed promotion to the Championship wearing the shirt at home to Preston and both Adidas and sponsors SkyEx remained for the 2014-15 season with the new Climacool shirt, incorporating elements of black in the collar and Adidas logo.
A breathable airtex style fabric was used for the underarm and shoulder. The airtex remained on the 2015-16 black collared shirt which had black Adidas stripes and a side black element towards the bottom of the sides. Club owner Matthew Benham’s Matchbook became the shirt sponsors for this season.
888 joined as sponsors for the 2016-17 season, and his shirt evoked memories of the original 80’s Adidas offering being mainly white with two dominant red stripes encasing the club and manufacturers badges. 2017-18’s shirt was similar too the 2013-14 version, with the black trim and a collar being the main difference along with yet another new betting sponsor (LeoVegas) and the addition of a new rounded club badge.
The club website wrote, “The final crest design is loosely based on the crest we used from 1972-75 and the 1960s Brentford Supporters Club badge. We believe it’s simple, the clean bee design will help us become more recognisable as a Club over time and we hope you will all be proud to wear it for many years to come.”.
The final Adidas shirt, worn during the 2018-19 season, saw a change to a narrow stripe which, unusually, was a dull red. The shoulder and arm trim remained the traditional bright red and the shirt was finished with white sleeves.
Umbro
As Brentford embarked on their last season at Griffin Park, two new shirt relationships began. Firstly, Umbro returned after a 44-year absence, and EcoWorld (developers of the Community Stadium) became shirt sponsors.
Umbro began their new tenure with the Bees producing a back-to-basics design; the traditional bold red hue was reinstated with a rounded black V-neck and black arm trim. A white section on the rear gave prominence to the player name and number with a ‘Farewell Griffin Park’ motif below the collar.
The 2020-21 shirt was a bit more experimental as Brentford began their first season in their new home. New sponsor Utillta’s logo was seen on the front of the shirt while the logo of South African betting firm Hollywood Bets appeared on the rear of the shirt from the Middlesbrough game onwards. Black separated the red and white stripe with the central white stripe blending into the collar.
With a red shoulder and main arm, the shirt was worthy of being forever associated with the play-off victory at Wembley.
Promoted
For Brentford’s debut season in the Premier League, Umbro unveiled a round collared style shirt with plain red and white stripes. The neck featured a central white element, reminiscent of an elongated vicar’s collar, while Safety Culture appeared on the left sleeve as the club’s first sleeve sponsor. It was announced in November 2021 that the shirt would be worn for two seasons to promote sustainability. This model was continued for the next shirt which would run from 2023 to 2025.
13.8.21 v Arsenal Creator Charlotte Wilson/Offside Credit and thanks Offside via Getty Images
Umbro’s final Home shirt for the club saw the red and white striped slightly tinkered with for the first time. Solid red returned to the shoulders and black was seen on the collar and under arm.
But the big change was the red stripe morphing into black as it reached the bottom of the shirt, giving the impression of the shirt blending into the black shorts.
Completing the centenary
As Brentford complete the centenary of their 1925 adoption of the red and white, it is fair to say that manufacturers have had their work cut out trying to create unique versions of the striped shirts. Innovations in production techniques, design, marketing and the club’s recent success has meant that more shirts than ever are being bought and worn, as fans around the world pledge their allegiance to the team.
As the club embrace a new era under new manufacturer Joma and a new management set up, they find themselves with a unique opportunity to appreciate how far we have come since the decision to create the red and white identity was made.
I only hope that the club can commemorate this event with a kit that will cement this association and honour those that have worn the colours over the last 100 years.
Brendan’s website has all you need to know about the history of Bees shirts
https://www.brentfordshirts.com/
Brendan Nevin