They are a nod to one of the most iconic kits the club has ever had. In the UEFA Champions League this season, VfB Stuttgart will take to the field wearing very special jerseys, which are heavily inspired by the shirt worn by the Cannstatt boys for the UEFA Cup first-round match at Hungarian outfit Banyasz Tatabanya in 1988. The fact that the red kit, which is remembered for its distinctive fabric pattern, was never worn again makes it even more unique – Guido Buchwald, Günther Schäfer and their team-mates handed all their shirts to the away supporters after the final whistle, with even legendary VfB kit man Jochen Seitz ensuring that every last jersey was given away.
Several hundred fans from the then-GDR had travelled to Tatabanya to back VfB, hence the special gesture after full time. The club went on to have a magnificent season in the UEFA Cup, which featured many more memorable nights as VfB progressed all the way to the final, where they took on SSC Napoli.
This season’s Champions League away kit puts a modern twist on that memorable design, while the classic white and red home kit also features a detailed ‘Tatabanya pattern’ in the fabric. Retro shirt numbers have been specially designed for both the home and away jerseys, which complement JAKO’s retro logo perfectly.
Karsten Petry, VfB’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer:
We’re not only revisiting a memory with this design, but also displaying our identity.
“These jerseys represent far more than just our participation in the UEFA Champions League, said Karsten Petry, VfB’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. “They link an extraordinary chapter in our club’s history with our future on the European stage. That moment in Tatabanya epitomises what VfB is all about to this day – people who stand united behind our club and write special stories together. We’re not only revisiting a memory with this design, but also displaying our identity. Together, we’re carrying our club’s tradition into the next generation of European nights.”
The home and away kits are available now in the online shop and in all our fan shops. Adult versions (S-5XL) are priced at €99.99, with children’s sizes (116-164) costing €79.99. The shirts come with the official UEFA Champions League badge on the sleeve, while both versions are available with long sleeves.
