Different from all the rest! That’s the time-honoured life of a goalkeeper and now an opportunity for Chelsea supporters who wear the new Play Loud collection - unveiled and on sale today.
Inspired by three iconic goalie kits from the 1990s, this retro range of leisurewear includes those eye-catching shirts themselves plus jackets, joggers and more - and it is definitely not playing it safe.
Instead Play Loud is bright, bold and proud in taking recognisable patterns from when visually vibrant was the name of the game for our players between the posts, and reimagining these design elements in a stylishly and fun way for the present day.
- Click to shop the Play Loud collection
The collection harks back to a time when Chelsea FC was changing, and when football kits were evolving too into desirable fashion items as well as sportswear crafted for peak performance on the pitch.
The true originals
Such an essential part of any team but forever individuals in the way they look and play, in the ‘90s our goalkeepers were dressed to be seen like never before. View the Play Loud collection and Chelsea names like Dmitri Kharine and Frode Grodas come quickly to mind.
Kharine - agile, sharp and spring-footed - was so distinctive following his groundbreaking arrival from Russia, and the 1994 home goalkeeper shirt – the colours he wore when Chelsea made it to a long-awaited FA Cup final - inspire a dark-coloured Play Loud t-shirt, hoodie and shorts. The squad no.1 Dmitri made his own is another standout feature of these items.
A faithful replica of that goalie shirt is also now on sale, as is the away kit keeper’s top from that 1993/94 season - a bright, orange-based design sure to distract any striker before he even thought to shoot.
Its multitude of multicoloured stripes comes to life again on Play Loud’s white t-shirt, navy track jacket and joggers, and matching hoodie.
Yellow, black and dark grey were the colours when Grodas kept a clean sheet as the Blues ended a 26-year wait to lift a major trophy, at the FA Cup final in 1997. The shirt the experienced Norwegian wore at Wembley that glorious day is now available again and it inspires a polo shirt, sweat top, windbreaker and shorts that complete the collection.
Play Loud is about presence, not volume
These eye-catching goalkeeping shades were also sported by Kevin Hitchcock, a true club servant throughout the decade, and the yellow and black theme endured when Ed de Goey arrived in ’97 to continue to win cups.
Now their stories, the success and those fun times are revived in the Play Loud range whose oversized fit and 1990s version of the club badge add further touches of retro authenticity.
Though centred on goalkeepers, Play Loud is an attitude that can be applied across the pitch and from our current squad, outfielders Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato join legendary past goalies Carlo Cudicini and Carly Telford in showcasing the apparel as it launches today.
Fearless individuality is reflected in these unforgettably expressive items that go far beyond our traditional blue. They are on sale now in the Megastore at Stamford Bridge and from our online store.
- The Play Loud range is available by clicking here