Historical Football Kits

Irn Bru Scottish First Division 2008 - 2009

Only the First Division champions are promoted to the Scottish Premier League each season, provided that their facilities meet SPL standards, which include a minimum all-seated capacity of 6,000 and frost protection for the pitch. The team finishing last is relegated to the next level down while the team finishing ninth enters the end of season play-offs with the three qualifying clubs from the Second Division. Airdrie United were awarded promotion despite having lost the play-off final to Clyde (who thereby retained their place) following the demotion of Gretna, who went out of business in May 2008.

Airdrie United

Designer: Surridge

Sponsor: St Andrews' Hospice

Airdrie's new home kit follows the pattern of the traditional outfits worn by Airdrieonians before their demise and is complemented by a fashionable all-black strip. The shirt sponsorship package has been bought by Gillespie Investment Group and, in an unprecedented move, donated to the St Andrew's Hospice.

Thanks to Alick Milne.

Clyde

Designer: Surridge

Sponsor: Optical Express (Home) Reface Scotland (Away), Scottish Spina Bifida Association (Third)

Clyde have switched to Surridge after wearing Lotto kits for the past two seasons. Their new home outfit sticks with the club's traditional combination of white tops, black shorts and red stockings. The away kit is worn with black shorts when necessary. The all-red third kit was launched on 20 December and follows the trend for supporting charities.

Thanks to Ross Parker and Stewart Parker.

Dundee

Designer: Bukta

Sponsor: Bukta

The UK's oldest sportswear manufacturer extends its coverage this season with the sponsorship of Dundee's kits, which they also manufacture. At home the team wear a traditional outfit in dark navy and white relieved by discrete piping. The away kit reverses the colours and adds navy flashes to the right side of the shirt. This season sees the return of Dundee's traditional monogram badge.

Dunfermline Athletic

Designer: Puma

Sponsor: The Purvis Group

Dunfermline return to their familiar stripes for 2008-09 although the red and white sleeves are far from traditional. Their new away kit is all gold with black and white trimmings.

Greenock Morton

Designer: Bukta

Sponsor: Millions Chewy Sweets

Morton have worn a variety of kits in their long history but hooped shirts are their signature kit, now teamed with blue shorts. The away kit is based on Bukta's new template.

Livingston

Designer: Macron

Sponsor: RDF IT Consultants

Livvi return to a traditional look this season, last seen in the 2003-04 campaign, but in yellow rather than gold. This combination is similar to the outfits worn by the club when they were known as Meadowbank Thistle and played in Edinburgh. The away kit is yet another all-black affair.

Partick Thistle

Designer: Puma

Sponsor: Ignis Asset Management

Partick switch from Diadora to Puma for the new season with a top in traditional broad hoops combined with yellow sleeves. The shirts also feature a new badge incorporating a traditional thistle, replacing the modernistic design adopted in 1990. The startling away kit, launched on 4 August, is the most audacious new design seen in years and sold out within 48 hours.

Partick's existing shirt sponsor merged with Axial Investment Management to form a new company in September. The team played in unsponsored shirts until 27 September, when the new company's logo appeared for the first time.

Thanks to Duncan Harman, Ian Raffel and Vinny Ferguson.

Queen of the South

Designer: Surridge

Sponsor: JB Houston Butchers

After last season's adventures, the Doonhamers have qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history, an achievement marked by the addition of "UEFA Cup 2008-2009" embroidered below the club badge. Their new home kit is a simple variation on their usual blue and white outfit but the decision to wear all-red as a change kit is a break with tradition. Last season the club produced two commemorative kits to celebrate their exploits in the Scottish FA Cup and yet another has appeared for their appearance in the UEFA Cup.

My thanks to Ian Raffel.

Ross County

Designer: Adidas

Sponsor: Highnet Business Communications

Ross County, the UK's most northerly professional club, have adopted the new Adidas template this season, which looks rather smart with matching navy shirts and shorts. The red and white away kit is based on the same standard template.

Ian Raffell sent in details of the away kit.

St Johnstone

Designer: Surridge

Sponsor: George Wimpey

The Saints return to their traditional blue shirts after spending last season wearing white tops with blue sleeves. The away kit is based on the same design but rendererd in pale blue and dark navy. Last season's yellow and blue away kit now serves as a third choice strip.

Thanks are due to Oliver Kukolj.