Desert Island Kits: My Shirt Stories and Tom Williams Top Kits

Now, with far fewer nipple references, our one-time stats man and Classic Football Kits extraordinaire Tom Williams runs us through his top five.

Lincoln City 2003-04 Away


My first selection dates back to one of my first footballing memories. I went on a primary school trip to Sincil Bank (no idea why or how it came about) and meeting some of the players. I got Gary Fletcher’s autograph on a tatty scrap of paper. I kept it for years and was gutted when I lost it while moving rooms. He was my first hero and I can remember just being thrilled at getting to meet him and the other players. To me, they were the only superstars that mattered. I’m normally not a fan of navy but this shirt is one I’m immensely happy to own. Personally, it symbolises me getting into football and a great era for the Imps. I have one in my size to wear and this signed Gary Fletcher number.

Lincoln City 2015-16 Home


Secondly, and my final Lincoln City number of this selection, is another of my heroes: Lee Beevers. This is just a replica, printed up in the club shop but holds some great memories for me. The shirt is my favourite of the Errea home designs and I remember deciding to go and get it printed with Beevers at the start of the season. Whilst I was waiting for the lady to finish up, I saw a guy walk behind me and did a little double take. Lee had walked in and through to the office, presumably for some paperwork or something. Luckily my shirt was finished just as he walked back out. He was very friendly and seemed like a great bloke, signing the shirt and posing for a snap. This was the shirt I wore throughout the Cowley era and, therefore, obviously represents some incredible memories. I also got it signed by a few other lads such as Farman, Raggett and Alex Woodyard – another of my favourites.

Concord Rangers 2012-13 Home


Speaking of the Cowleys, a slightly odd one next. I work with football shirts and was able to pick up this number. This was the design worn as Danny and Nicky led the Essex side to the Conference South, with Nicky still in his playing days. This was their third promotion in six years. It’s a match shirt worn by a #7, the same number worn by Leon Gordon as he scored the late goal that secured the win and promotion in the Ryman Premier Division Playoff Final. It could even be that shirt! It’s special for me for three main reasons: the Cowley connection, the fact my family hails from nearby Southend and my passion for non-league football.

Turks and Caicos 2016-18


From Canvey to a slightly more exotic island. The lower echelons of international football has always fascinated me and over the years I’ve gained a love for one minnow nation in particular, Turks and Caicos Islands. For years I’ve followed them and I eventually managed to get a kit only to discover it was a fake, lured in by a notorious Aussie eBay seller. Later they switched to Admiral, whose US website stocked the designs and I was able to get one for a surprisingly reasonable price; only slightly inflated due to overseas delivery. This design was worn in their 11-0 CONCACAF Nations League defeat by Cuba.

S-Pulse 1992/96 Cup


Finally, a shirt I love purely for its design. I have always been interested in maps and when I found out about a team that shared this affinity, I had to have one. The brilliant cartological theme came about when the club asked a designer to create a look to differentiate them from their rivals and he certainly achieved that. It was repeated throughout the 90s and they’ve continued to reinvent it through to the present day. This amazing design was worn in Cup competitions in 1993 and 1996. Around this period, S-Pulse wore Mizuno shirts in the J-League (the status quo at the time) but were sponsored by Puma in Cup competitions. Sometimes the only major difference would be the manufacturer’s logo.