Blackburn Rovers: Glorious legacy, winning identity: Kit History
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLUE 'N' WHITE HALVES.
Once upon a time, in the early days of football, halved shirts were as common as moustaches. In fact, come to think of it, they still are as common as moustaches as only one club still regularly plays in halves, and that club is, of course, Blackburn Rovers.
The side’s original 1875 shirt was in fact plain white. Their first halved shirt, a navy and white combination, arrived three years later. Lighter blue and white versions were worn until 1905 when the regular Blackburn kit of royal blue and white halved shirts, white shorts and blue socks emerged. Traditionally the club also sported halved contrasting sleeve and neck designs.
Give or take the odd change to white socks and the very occasional reversal of the coloured halves (generally the blue half sits over the heart), the kit essentially remained the same for the next 70 years until red began to creep its way on to the design in 1975. Since then the outfit has gone through many subtle alterations but the famous halves still remain intact.
Yellow and blue shirts or red and white shirts are the club’s traditional away colours of choice although red and black striped shirts have also been popular since the 1990's.
Blackburn Rovers: 1878.
Blackburn Rovers: 1928. FA Cup Final winners shirt.
![Blackburn Rovers; Blackburn Rovers shirt 1928](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i0ae79e82c48bc517/version/1437575210/blackburn-rovers-blackburn-rovers-shirt-1928.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1960. FA Cup Final losers shirt.
![Worn during the disastrous 1960 FA Cup Final which saw Dave Wheelan stretchered off with a broken leg and Rovers down to 10 men in the days before sub's. Worn by club legends such as Clayton, Blackburn born Douglas, Wheelan, Dougan and Woods.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i22f87373998b0bad/version/1481161686/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1960s.
![Blackburn Rovers; Blackburn Rovers shirt 1960s](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i20c190f23e229e0a/version/1437573660/blackburn-rovers-blackburn-rovers-shirt-1960s.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1974-1975. Centenary Year and Third Division Champions shirt.
![Worn during Rovers' centenary year celebration and Third Division Championship winning squad by such club legends and fan favourites as Parkes, Martin, Beamish, Fazackerley, Heaton, Hird and Blackburn born Metcalfe.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i2b1d4e90e4e674f8/version/1481159933/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1978-1981.
![Eventful times. Rovers relegated 78-79 to Division 3 with Ron Pickering as Manager; promoted to Division 2 79-80 and narrowly missed out on promotion by GD in 80-81 with Howard Kendal as Player Manager](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/idba65826eb5e110b/version/1481159719/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1981-1984.
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 1986-1987.
![Worn with distinction by Rovers' 596 appearance record holder (1969-1987) and club legend Derek Fazackerley. Circa 1987.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i4ab4a58fd754a0e3/version/1468618269/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1990-1991.
![Worn when the side battled to a 19th place finish in the Second Division in Jack Walker's first season as chairman.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ie82342fee734a0a2/version/1417831340/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1991-1992.
![25/05/1992, Wembley: After beating Leicester City 0-1 in the Division 2 Play-Off Final, as Rovers had played in the away kit of yellow they changed into the historic Blue 'n' White halved shirt before climbing the steps to the Royal Box to collect the cup](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i46bb18841c3581db/version/1469586630/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 1991-1992.
![Away shirt and the first to feature the McEwans Lager sponsor. Worn when the side won promotion to the Premier League after beating Leicester City in the Division 2 Play-Off Final at Wembley in Kenny Dalglish's first season in charge.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ifd81c9f63c785682/version/1481159785/image.png)
![20/05/1992, Wembley: Barcelona had done the same thing having also played in the away kit of yellow after beating their opponents Sampdoria 0-1 in the European Cup Final.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i02c77399ec2cce2e/version/1469586733/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1992-1994. Inaugural Premier League Shirt.
![Worn in the first Premier League season which saw Rovers back in top flight football for the first time in 30 years, having a memorable season finishing 4th and hammering Norwich 7-1 early on in the season](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i7c7d6b690a3b66b2/version/1430490925/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1992-1994. Inaugural Premier League Away Shirt.
![Worn in the inaugural Premier League season when Alan Shearer bagged 22 goals in 26 games as Rovers finished 4th place under boss Kenny Dalglish](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ib044aa0c23d27ced/version/1486144655/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1994-1995. Premier League Champions Shirt.
![Worn with distinction by Rovers' 337 appearance Central Defender 'Brave Heart' (1987-1989 & 1991-1998) and club legend, Colin Hendry. Circa 1995.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/iba3032e23b36de53/version/1487973971/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1994-1995. Premier League Champions Away Shirt.
![Worn with distinction by Rovers' 138 appearance and 112 goal (1992-1996) Centre Forward 'Lion Heart' and club legend, Alan Shearer. Circa 1995.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ia6c56f63e03fd742/version/1487973909/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 1994-1995. Premier League Champions Goal Keeper Shirt.
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 1995-1996.
![Worn when Rovers were reigning Premier League Champions and in the infamous bust-up between Le Saux and Batty away in the Champions League.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/id9d541ec3c077043/version/1417831304/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 1996-1998.
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 1997-1998.
Blackburn Rovers: 1998-2000.
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 1998-2000.
Blackburn Rovers: 2000-2002. Division 1 Promotion and League Cup Winners Shirt.
![Worn by the side as they achieved promotion back to the Premier League from Division 1 and then as they won the League Cup at the Millenium Stadium in Wales, beating Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i12718092b585633c/version/1481160300/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2000-2002. Division 1 Promotion Away Shirt.
Blackburn Rovers: 2004-2005.
![Worn when the side finished in 15th place in boss Mark Hughes' first season in charge. They also reached the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup, losing out to Arsenal.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ib82e19ffeabb10ce/version/1417831239/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2005-2006.
![Worn when the side qualified for the UEFA Cup with an impressive 6th place finish in the Premier League under Manager Mark Hughes.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=jpg/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i6029666e3842c3e1/version/1430490875/image.jpg)
Blackburn Rovers: 2007-2008.
![Worn when Rovers finished a respectable 7th thanks to the great strike partnership of Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i3529f31d509984ec/version/1481162684/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 2007-2008.
![Worn when Rovers finished a respectable 7th thanks to the great strike partnership of Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i63de824b174b8e41/version/1481160354/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2008-2009.
![Worn when Rovers battled to avoid relegation under Sam Allardyce following the sacking of Paul Ince, eventually finishing 15th thanks to the efforts of key players such as Dunn, McCarthy, Pedersen, Santa Cruz and Nelsen.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i2e86e47ee3ee894d/version/1437572912/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 2008-2009.
![Worn when Rovers battled to avoid relegation under Sam Allardyce following the sacking of Paul Ince, eventually finishing 15th thanks to the efforts of key players such as Dunn, McCarthy, Pedersen, Santa Cruz and Nelsen.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ibc7c60bcc3fc4cc6/version/1437573087/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2009-2010.
Blackburn Rovers: 2011-2012.
![Home shirt as worn by the side as they were relegated to the Championship after losing 8 out of their last 9 matches.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/i87b36d7bc2aee4e0/version/1480873152/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2012-2013.
![Worn during a tempestuous season which saw four managers: Steve Kean, 22/12/2010 - 28/09/2012; Henning Berg, 31/10/2012-27/12/2012; Michael Appleton, 11/01/2013-19/03/2013; Gary Bowyer, 24/05/2013 10/11/2015. FIVE if includng Bowyer's stint as caretaker.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ic4bfbec6fbd20a24/version/1469586298/image.png)
Blackburn Rovers: 2013-2014.
Blackburn Rovers Away Shirt: 2013-2014.
Blackburn Rovers: 2014-2015
![Home shirt as worn in the side's first season back in the Championship when they finished a disappointing 17th, but did upset Arsenal to reach the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup.](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=567x10000:format=png/path/sb8625856a4da20d8/image/ifade611027f88ef7/version/1480872927/image.png)
Kit suppliers
My own opinion is that although Rovers traditionally produce stylish, clean and elegant
shirt designs, the Kappa and Uhlsport shirts were the ugliest I have ever seen; an unfortunate chapter in the history of the famous Blue 'n' White halves that I would rather forget.
16/17 Umbro
15/16 Nike
14/15 Nike
13/14 Nike
12/13 Umbro
11/12 Umbro
10/11 Umbro
09/10 Umbro
08/09 Umbro
07/08 Umbro
06/07 Lonsdale
05/06 Lonsdale
04/05 Lonsdale
03/04 Kappa
02/03 Kappa
01/02 Kappa
00/01 Kappa
99/00 Uhlsport
98/99 Uhlsport
97/98 Asics
96/97 Asics
95/96 Asics
94/95 Asics
93/94 Asics
92/93 Asics
91/92 Ribero
90/91 Ribero
89/90 Ellgren
88/89 Ellgren
87/88 Spall
86/87 Spall
85/86 Spall
84/85 Spall
83/84 Spall
82/83 Spall
81/82 Spall
80/81 Umbro
79/80 Umbro
78/79 Umbro
77/78 Umbro
76/77 Umbro
75/76 Umbro
74/75 Umbro
Shirt sponsors
16/17 Dafabet
15/16 Dafabet
14/15 Zebra Claims
13/14 RFS
12/13 Probiz
11/12 The Prince's Trust
10/11 Crown Paints
09/10 Crown Paints
08/09 Crown Paints
07/08 Bet24
06/07 Bet24
05/06 Lonsdale
04/05 HSA
03/04 HSA
02/03 AMD
01/02 Time Computers
00/01 Time Computers
99/00 CIS
98/99 CIS
97/98 CIS
96/97 CIS
95/96 McEwan's Lager
94/95 McEwan's Lager
93/94 McEwan's Lager
92/93 McEwan's Lager
91/92 McEwan's Lager
90/91 ICI Perspex
89/90 ICI Perspex
88/89 ICI Perspex
87/88 ICI Perspex
86/87 ICI Perspex
85/86 ICI Perspex
84/85 ICI Perspex