1986/87 SEASON
League:
Level
Today League Division 1
Position:
18th
FA Cup:
Third Round
League Cup:
Fourth Round
Chairman:
Robert Maxwell
Manager:
Maurice Evans
Top Scorer:
John Aldridge (21)
Notable Players:
John Aldridge, Tommy Caton, Ray Houghton, Peter Hucker, David Leworthy, Dean Saunders, Malcolm Shotton, Neil Slatter, Billy Whitehurst.
Kit Manufacturer
Sponsor
Home Kit & Away Variations
Long
sleeves
The Umbro kits remained relatively unchanged from the previous season, with the most notable difference being the addition of the word "Computers" to the larger sponsor's logo. This change was permitted after the 'reduced size' requirements for televised games were finally scrapped.
Additionally, the iconic club crest no longer included any text.
The 1986 shirt numbers also featured a small Umbro diamond at the base of the numerals.
Away Kit
Long
sleeves
The white change strip featured in more matches during this campaign.
The 1986/87 versions of these shirts featured the newly styled sponsor's logo along with the same plain club crest that appeared on the yellow shirts.
Third Kit
Long
sleeves
In mid-April, a sky-blue kit made an unexpected debut at Southampton.
As this was introduced so late in the season, and there was no colour clash, it is presumed to have been a kit intended for possible use the following season.
However, this Umbro 'World Cup' shirt was only ever worn for the one match.
Both Newcastle United and England had the same strip as third kits, but with white Umbro motifs.
Goalkeeper Jersey
Match By Match
Watford
Away
Chelsea
Home
West Ham
Home
Everton
Away
Aston Villa
Away
Man City
Home
Arsenal
Away
Gillingham
Home
Charlton
Home
Sheffield W
Away
Gillingham
Away
Coventry
Home
Liverpool
Away
N Forest
Home
Sheffield U
Home
Newcastle
Away
Man Utd
Home
QPR
Away
West Ham
Away
Tottenham
Home
Norwich
Away
Luton
Home
Leicester
Away
Aston Villa
Home
Wimbledon
Away
QPR
Home
Southampton
Home
Man City
Away
Aldershot
Away
Blackburn
Away
Watford
Home
West Ham
Away
Chelsea
Away
Everton
Home
Arsenal
Home
N Forest
Away
Liverpool
Home
Coventry
Away
Charlton
Away
Sheffield W
Home
Man Utd
Away
Newcastle
Home
Southmpton
Away
Wimbledon
Home
Tottenham
Away
Norwich
Home
Luton
Away
Leicester
Home
Prototype
The 1986 matchday programmes all included a Club Shop advert featuring John Aldridge in an Umbro 'Valencia' shirt, which was promoted as the away kit.
However, the away shirt from the previous season had only been worn once, plus the 'Valencia' shirt closely mirrored the 1983/84 Spall design, featuring the same shadow stripes.
Additionally, an away kit was needed for the first game of the season at Watford, suggesting that the decision was likely made that it was easier and quicker to continue using the 1985 version.