Derby County Shirt History

Derby County is one of only nine clubs that has competed in every season of the English Football League. Time to run through the Rams’ kit manufacturing and front of shirt sponsorship history from that period…

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Derby County Kit Manufacturing History

2024 – present – Puma 

This isn’t Puma’s first period of supplying for the Rams and they looked to their previous time with the club when searching for inspiration for the 2024/25 home jersey. Although it isn’t a simple copy and paste job, the shirt is based on the 1999 – 2001 home strip. It also boasts the bespoke detail of a Rams horn within its sleeve cuffs and neckline. 

The away kit was released in honour of the clubs 140th anniversary with pale green, black, brown and yellow combining. It is believed to be an acknowledgment of the clubs first ever jersey worn in 1884. 

Further nostalgia was explored with the third kit, as the yellow top tributed the 50th anniversary since the clubs 1974/75 First Division title win. 

2014 – 2024 – Umbro 

The collections that were active towards the latter end of this partnership were more complete, although there were still reputable efforts along the way. The 2014/15 away top, which saw a dark blue base boast light blue hooped pinstripes, is an example of that, as is the understated polo home look used in 2016/17.

Another alternate jersey which earnt many admirers was the 2017/18 third kit – it had a black geometrical print base and a pink trim on its shoulders. After flirting with the idea of pink in 2017/18, Derby were provided with a third strip that was predominantly pink in 2020/21.

The trademark diamond taping of Umbro was a smart inclusion to the 2018/19 collection and it shone in all of its glory on the sleeve cuffs of the dark blue away kit where it was printed in lime. 

Two more noteworthy alternate looks were active throughout 2021/22. The away kit boasted a tonal print and combined turquoise, navy and white, while the third top saw a dark blue base incorporate yellow touches here and there. Sadly, despite their pleasant look, relegation to League One means that they aren’t amongst the most favourable of Rams shirts. 

A strong and steady range was released in 2023/24 and it all started with the home top which paraded a unique black stripe feature in its lower half – it was designed to resemble fading in parts. The away top paired a black base with green patterned sleeves, whereas the third jersey sported a basic maroon look. 

It was the 80’s and the 90’s that inspired the final collection of this period and it was a decision that paid off. It is claimed that the home look is inspired by the 1991 – 1993 home top given its inclusion of red. A checkered navy and royal blue away top was also released in reference to the 1987/88 away top. Derby returned to the Championship in 2023/24. 

2012 – 2014 – Kappa 

The biggest flaw from this Kappa period was the placement of the club crest, Kappa’s own branding, and the front of shirt sponsorship feature – it was all annoyingly higher than usual. 

However, in truth, even after ignoring the irritation of the placements, the design of the jerseys were not all that fantastic anyway. 

The only small, minor successes were achieved through with the alternate looks, with the basic black and orange 2012/13 away kit and the yellow sash third look used in 2013/14 achieving, at a push, small plaudits. 

2007 – 2012 – Adidas 

The Rams haven’t played Premier League football since 2007/08, so the first collection of this Adidas partnership is famous for the end of their top flight stay. As a result, Derby supporters will likely look back at this collection with nostalgia or anguish. 

This period of three-stripe branding saw no flamboyance in design, but instead many pretty neat and tidy efforts. 

One of the most creative efforts was used between 2008 and 2010, where Derby used an Argentina-like light blue and white vertically striped third top. It probably piqued more interest than the bright lime green away top used alongside it for 2008/09.

2005 – 2007 – Joma

Bar the special-edition strip released for the 2006/07 play-off final against West Brom, which Derby won 1-0, all of the shirts which Joma released during this period displayed a centralised club crest. 

Two regular home shirts were active within this period, with the first being marginally more interesting. It, like the third top used within the same campaign, had one vertical stripe on its right-hand-side. 

The same away kit, which combined navy and yellow, was active in both campaigns. 

2001 – 2005 – Errea

Two home jerseys were used within this four-year-period and the main difference between the two was their neckline feature – the most favourable one of which was the crewneck look on show between 2001 and 2003. 

Errea also manufactured two different away kits during this timeframe, with the first combining navy and light blue. It was a lot more desirable than the polo design which replaced it.

1995 – 2001 – Puma 

Puma made a positive start as Derby suppliers in 1995/96 with a fantastic home jersey which had a lifespan of two seasons. It paraded a crossover polo collar, a centralised club crest and black and white striping on its sleeves. It also incorporated small aspects of yellow.

Two solid alternate looks joined it for 1995/96, with them both including a tonal pattern of sorts. The away version utilised two shades of blue and striping that saw tonal features moulded into it. The away strip, like the home top, had ‘Derby County’ brilliantly and elegantly stitched into its collar. A maroon grandad collared kit replaced the away top for 1996/97.

Another respectable home top was active between 1997 and 1999, but the V-neck home strip used after this, from 1999 until 2001, was undoubtedly better. The alternate looks were also more admirable in the final two campaigns with the 1999/00 yellow and blue away kit particularly sticking out. 

1993 – 1995 – Bukta / In-House

Then same set of jerseys were used in both of these seasons, although the supplier switched from Bukta to in-house for the second year.

To go with its black sleeves and black and blue polo neckline, the white base of the home top was filled with black pinstripes. 

The third strip was turquoise, while the black away top funkily saw vertical stripes of different sizes in shades of blue and white throughout – it was a classic. 

1987 – 1993 – Umbro 

All of the Umbro home jerseys used within this period were fairly simplistic, although that is not to say that they weren’t smart nor attractive – as proven by the fact that the well-appreciated 1989 – 1991 version was later modernised in a more recent partnership. 

The double diamond brand did have some fun with the alternate looks to keep things interesting, however – the already alluded to grandad collared checkered look active from 1987 until 1989 was an example of that. An intriguing blue and navy strip also came after this – it followed a halved concept portraying vertical stripes of different widths. 

A bright, brilliant and summery third kit was used in the final two years – it was yellow with blue and red colour blocks on its sleeves. Tonal patterning was also present. 

1985 – 1987 – Osca

The same three V-necked looks were active for both campaigns. The home and third strip were both clean but un-patterned, whereas the blue away top was filled with tonal vertical stripes. 

1984 – 1985 – Admiral 

This Admiral campaign was quite a strange one with each of the shirts boasting a relatively small yellow, white, blue and brown stripe feature on the left side of the chest. 

1981 – 1984 – Patrick

All three of these campaigns saw the same three centralised club crest jerseys on show. Another feature was that they each had a single pinstripe running down either side of the base. Yellow was the colour of choice for the away top. 

1979 – 1981 – Le Coq Sportif 

Le Coq Sportif ran with two bland polo collared designs. Their choice of colour for the alternate kit was orange.

1971 – 1979 – Umbro

Umbro were Derby County’s first ever shirt manufacturing partners. As to be expected, the shirt design from this period was simplistic, although the Umbro taping feature on the sleeve of the home top in 1976 was eye-catching.  

Interestingly, similarly to the one Adidas provided in 2008, Umbro released a blue and white vertically striped third kit in 1975/76. Blue and navy stripes came after this.

Derby County Kit Sponsorship History 

Derby have a lengthy front of shirt sponsorship history, so let’s get right into it… 

2024 – present – FanHub 

FanHub is a new app which provides football fans with recognition and reward for their loyalty towards their team. It was a big deal for the brand, who holds a tidy feature, as their Partnerships Manager came from a Derby supporting family. 

2023 – 2024 – Host and Stay

The relatively complimentary logo of Host and Stay, a holiday home and management service, sponsored all three jerseys for one season. 

2022 – 2023 – NSPCC 

The Rams didn’t have a front of shirt sponsor for 2022/23, so the slot was donated to the NSPCC charity from November onwards. 

The NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse.

2018 – 2022 – 32Red 

32Red is an online casino company. They held a text-based feature with reminders of responsible gambling being added from 2020/21 onwards. 

2017 – 2018 – Avon Tyres 

The slick branding of tyre-making company, Avon Tyres, appeared for a single season. The brand has been in the field of high-performance tyres, both on and off track for two and four wheeled vehicles, for over 100 years.

2014 – 2017 – Just Eat

Popular online food order and delivery platform Just Eat had three seasons with the Rams. Their URL feature from the first campaign was sound, but the red box feature which followed this was a little unappealing. 

2010 – 2014 – Buy Mobiles

Buy Mobiles is an online mobile phone retailer. From 2012 onwards, their feature became snookered by Kappa’s strange placement of it. 

2008 – 2010 – Bombardier

Bombardier held an all-text look and they are a Canadian aircraft manufacturing company. 

2005 – 2010 – Derbyshire Building Society 

Derbyshire Building Society held the slot for three-years. Unfortunately, their feature was pretty unattractive until the final campaign. 

2001 – 2005 – Marston’s

Martson’s, a brewery, promoted their amber pale ale Marston’s Pedigree throughout this period. It adds a vintage feel to the shirts. 

1998 – 2001 – EDS

EDS stood for Electronic Data Systems. They were experts in technology equipment and services. EDS went on to be acquired by HP in 2008.

1995 – 1998 – Puma 

From 1995 until 1998, as well as manufacturing the shirts, Puma also appeared in the front of shirt sponsorship slot. 

1992 – 1995 – Auto Windscreens 

Auto Windscreens is an automotive windscreen repair and replacement company. 

1987 – 1992 – Maxwell Communications

Maxwell Communications was one of the UK’s leading media businesses. The owner, Robert Maxwell, also bought into Derby as Chairman after refusing to buy into Manchester United due to Martin Edwards’ asking price. 

1986 – 1987 – Sportsweek

Sportsweek held a text-based feature for a season. 

1984 – 1986 – Bass Brewery 

Bass Brewery was founded in Burton-upon-Trent in 1777. Their famous red triangular branding appeared. 

1981 – 1984 – Patrick 

Kit suppliers, Patrick, appeared in the slot while manufacturing the shirts. 

1980 – 1981 – British Midland Airways

British Midland Airways, otherwise, and perhaps more widespread, known as BMI, was a British airline. They were the first ever company to sponsor the front of a Derby shirt. BMI merged into British Airways in October 2012.

Conclusion 

There has been many respectably smart attempts of a Derby County home jersey over the years, although admittedly black and white are not the most exciting colours to combine. The 90’s, and perhaps into the early 2000’s, is an intriguing chapter of the Rams’ kit history with various striking alternate strips.