Bristol Rovers Kit History
Bristol Rovers are coolly nicknamed either ‘The Pirates’ or ‘The Gas’ – the former stems from the maritime history of Bristol and the latter is inspired by the derived gasworks that was by their former home. Let’s learn more about the club through their kit manufacturing and sponsorship history…
Bristol Rovers Shirt History Checklist
Bristol Rovers Kit Manufacturing History
2016 – present – Macron
Following a safe first two seasons, Macron have provided Bristol Rovers with some interesting variations of their traditional blue and white quartered home strip. The main technique that Macron has used to capture intrigue is subtle tonal touches and a good example of this is the 90’s inspired 2020/21 shirt which incorporates a ‘houndstooth’ pattern.
Furthermore, the club’s tonally striped 2019/20 home top is inspired by the home strip worn during the Pirates’ 1989/90 Third Division title winning campaign, although, despite the iconic references, Macron haven’t just copy and pasted others’ ideas. For example, the 2022/23 season celebrated the Gas’ 140th anniversary and it included tonal reminders of the Eastville Stadium, the club’s old home. In 2023/24, a map of Bristol sparked inspiration.
Macron hasn’t just stuck to tonal techniques on the home top either, with the 2018/19 strip including a gradient effect within its blue sections to result in more white breaking through than usual – it received a marmite response.
As for alternate shirts, Macron has done a good job since their arrival and the black and yellow pinstriped away top from 2020/21 exemplifies that. In 2021/22, an intriguing yellow and green combination followed – this colour choice was selected due to it being popular previously.
One of the favourites from this period was the 2022/23 away kit, which paired black with turquoise – it also included patterning inspired by Bristol’s graffiti history. It was replaced in 2023/24 with a history making-effort – as that year’s grey away kit included ‘Football Brings Us All Together’ written in braille throughout – it was a world’s first. The 2023/24 campaign also saw an anniversary shirt released which echoed the club’s inaugural 1883 kit – it was black with a yellow sash.
The 2024/25 collection is strong, with the green and black away kit arguably being the most impressive – it is a modernised concept of a design first seen in 1994/95. The home top embosses the names of players who have represented the Gas over the years, while the third top featured neon green, yellow and black with references to Bristol’s vibrancy.
2005 – 2016 – Errea
In contrast to Macron, only one of Errea’s jerseys incorporated a tonal touch and that came in 2014/15 – the blue sections of this jersey included slightly curved lines. However, Errea did throw a third colour in on occasions, with subtle inclusions of yellow coming in 2008/09 and 2010/11.
One of Errea’s classiest home looks included a small feature in reference to the club’s nickname of the Pirates – it was placed on its front towards the bottom of the jersey and it was used 2012/13. The pirate feature was repeated in 2013/14 and 2015/16.
The club’s remarkable back-to-back promotion efforts in 2014/15 and 2015/16 has resulted in those collections having plenty of fondness and history behind them. The club went from the National League to League One.
Errea attempted the quartered format on the away strips on a couple of occasions in various colours, although they were never as appreciated as the 2013/14 away top which combined vertical purple and black stripes.
Like Macron, Errea also produced a black and yellow sashed anniversary jersey – this time to celebrate 125 years. This version had a superb, laced neckline.
2001 – 2005 – Strikeforce
Both the home and away shirt used in Strikeforce’s first two seasons boasted a cross feature to help divide the base into quarters. Both were a success, although they each incorporated different necklines with the black and light gold away top incorporating the smartest version.
A somewhat less traditional home jersey was released in 2003/04 with its incorporation of navy. It was paired with the infamous black and yellow sash look as the away top in its first year, but in its second, although the sash remained, the colours were switched to light blue and navy.
Two orange alternate designs came within this period, with the first boast of the colour comfortably being the most attractive.
1999 – 2001 – Avec
Avec were responsible for a fascinating home shirt which included touches of black around the front of shirt sponsorship area and on its sleeves. Macron released a modernised version of this in 2021/22, but sometimes you just cannot beat the original…
A less impressive, but eye-catching, alternate kit, which combined yellow, white and navy, was also provided by Avec.
1996 – 1999 – Circa
Circa got off to an unconventional start through a rather untraditional home top. Instead of solid blue and white quarters, Circa decided to parade two different sized stripe features. This funkiness didn’t continue, however, with the two home tops following this being much more of what we are used to.
The first year again provided the most craze with the alternate kits, as the 1996/97 away top followed a halved black and green concept but was topped off with a navy neckline.
1995 – 1996 – Le Coq Sportif
The Le Coq Sportif home top was pleasant with a cool neckline, but it doesn’t turn as many heads as the away look does. The away top was brilliantly vertically striped navy and turquoise – the navy stripes were the thickest.
1993 – 1995 – Matchwinner
There would have been no murmurs of discontent about the fact that Matchwinner manufactured the same home top for both seasons given it is an all-time Bristol Rovers classic – it remarkably incorporated sections of the club crest within the two blue quarters.
Matchwinner played on its success with the introduction of a green and black version that acted as the away top in the following year, although, whether it is better than its brilliant, unusual predecessor is certainly up for debate…
1988 – 1993 – SPAL
The success of this SPAL period is portrayed by the fact that Macron has taken much inspiration from several jerseys released during this timeframe. For example, SPAL were the original providers of the club’s 1989/90 Third Division title winning look and the aforementioned ‘houndstooth’ patterning.
SPAL didn’t find their groove immediately with the alternate looks, but they certainly ended with two solid efforts. A yellow base was paired with a blue collar in 1991/92, while yellow and green quarters were on show in 1992/93.
Within their time, SPAL were partial to an eye-catching polo neckline pattern.
1986 – 1988 – Henson
The Henson era wasn’t overly exciting, although the long V-neck necklines from 1987/88 are certainly quite striking.
Though, Henson are the creators of a jersey that might have caught much attention for the wrong reasons, with their first away top boastfully parading orange and yellow quarters.
1984 – 1986 – Hobott
Hobott kept the same jerseys active for both seasons. The home top is particularly smart, with the cottoned V-neck neckline eye-catchingly including yellow. Tonal striping was also on show.
1976 – 1984 – Bukta
The club’s first official kit supplier was Bukta and the brands logo proudly ran down the sleeves of most of the jersey’s worn throughout this period. The colourings of each shirt were pretty traditional up until 1983/84, where Bukta decided to play with orange and black pinstripes.
Bristol Rovers Shirt Sponsorship History
Let’s delve into a lengthy front of shirt sponsorship history list…
2024 – present – FanHub
FanHub, who hold a pleasant feature, is a free to use app that allows fans to earn rewards for proving their loyalty to their football team. It was created with the aim to celebrate and give back to match going supporters.
The app is co-founded by a lifelong Bristol Rovers fan.
2019 – 2024 – Utilita Energy
The tagline of ‘Life With Power’ made up part of Utilita Energy’s branding.
The UK gas and electricity supplier partnered with The Prince’s Trust, a charity which aims to develop the skills and confidence of young people, via the 2019/20 third kit. They later placed the branding of Utilita Giving, their in-house charity which looks to aid people in fuel and food poverty, on the popular 2023/24 away top.
2018 – 2019 – Football Index
The self-styled controversial stock market of football, Football Index, partnered with the Pirates in 2018/19. The business has now collapsed.
2017 – 2018 – Thornton’s Travel / Barrs Court Construction
The 2017/18 campaign, and many prior to this, saw a different sponsor on each jersey.
For this season, Bristol-based travel agency, Thornton’s Travel took the home top, while Bristol-based commercial interior fitter, Barrs Court Construction, sponsored the away kit.
2016 – 2017 – Dribuild / Powersystems UK
Dribuild, who is a commercial and retail specialist construction group, sponsored the 2016/17 home top, and Powersystems UK, a high voltage engineering firm, appeared on the away.
2015 – 2016 – The Sportsman / Pensord
The Sportsman Pub took the Bristol Rovers 2015/16 home top with a complimentary feature. The all-text look of Pensord, a magazine printing company, appeared on the away shirt.
2014 – 2015 – Arco / Office Beverages
Arco, who specialises in safety, filled the 2014/15 home jersey with an all-text feature that combined red and black. Corporate drink provider, Office Beverages, took the away top.
2013 – 2014 – Eurocams / Highspec Travel Services
Eurocams, who sponsored the home strip, provides quality engine parts for leading vehicle brands. Highspec Travel Services appeared on the away jersey.
2012 – 2013 – Opus Recruitment Solutions / CR Windows
Home top sponsors, Opus Recruitment Solutions, is a global leader in specialist, niche and innovative technical recruitment solution.
CR Windows is a Bristol-based windows, doors and conservatories provider. Their feature was the simplest of the two.
2011 – 2012 – McCarthy Waste Management / ITS
McCarthy Waste Management opted for green text, which was initially off putting, but when you pair it with their expertise in recycling and waste management then it makes sense.
2010 – 2011 – Smart Computers / Stalbridge Linen
Bristol-based computer specialists, Smart Computers, sponsored the 2010/11 home top.
The away kit sponsors were Stalbridge Linen, who offer linen hire and laundry services. Their feature wasn’t that attractive.
2009 – 2010 – N-Gaged / Stevens Hewlett & Perkins
Logistics trainers, N-Gaged, sponsored the home jersey, while Stevens Hewlett & Perkins, a patent and trade mark attorney firm, paraded their URL and abbreviation on the away top.
1998 – 2009 – Cowlin Construction
Cowlin Construction held the slot for just over a decade. Their feature was pleasant except for the 2006/07 campaign, when they paraded their logo—it was a bit of an eye-sore.
1997 – 1998 – The Jelf Group
The Jelf Group is a financial services consultancy and an insurance broker.
1996 – 1997 – Bradshaw’s Snack Box
Bradshaw’s Snack Box boasted a text-based feature.
1995 – 1996 – Elite Hampers
Corporate hampers provider Elite Hampers held complimentary branding.
1992 – 1995 – Roman Glass
Roman Glass is a glass supplier – they had an all-text look.
1989 – 1992 – Design Windows / Universal Components
Design Windows, which specialises in window, door, and conservatory fabrication and manufacturing, held the home top.
The away shirt was taken by Universal Components, which provides international truck and trailer parts and spares.
1987 – 1989 – Design Windows
Design Windows sponsored all the jerseys for two seasons before 1989/90.
1986 – 1987 – Peter Carol
Coach service Peter Carol has a long-standing relationship with the club as they have since provided the players’ matchday team bus.
1983 – 1986 – Toshiba
Japanese electronics company Toshiba is a recognisable brand that appeared in the 80’s.
1981 – 1983 – Great Mills
The Pirates' first front-of-shirt sponsorship deal was with Great Mills, a former British DIY retailer
Conclusion
Bristol Rovers have a unique quarter design, which is a non-negotiable on the home jersey, so, as a result, some brands have seemingly found difficulty in creating exceptional looks without going overly rogue. However, the hat’s off to Spal, Matchwinner and now Mcron,, who have sccessfully smashed this barrier. Various brands have enjoyed success via the alternate jerseys.