Retro Espanyol Shirt – Barcelona's Proud Underdogs

RCD Espanyol were founded on 28 October 1900 by university student Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz, making them one of the pioneering football clubs in Spain. Originally known as Sociedad Española de Football, the club was established with a distinctly Spanish identity in a city where Catalan nationalism was already shaping the cultural landscape. This unique positioning would define Espanyol for over a century.

The club's early decades saw them establish themselves as a genuine force in Spanish football. They won their first Copa del Rey in 1929, the same year La Liga was inaugurated, and added further cup triumphs in 1940 and 2000, plus a memorable victory in 2006. The Sarrià stadium, their beloved home from 1923 to 1997, became a fortress where visiting teams dreaded to play. It was at Sarrià that some of football's most iconic moments unfolded, including dramatic matches during the 1982 World Cup, where Brazil's legendary side featuring Zico, Socrates, and Falcão played their unforgettable group stage matches.

The rivalry with FC Barcelona – the Derbi Barceloní – is one of the most intense in Spanish football. While Barcelona may dominate in terms of trophies and global following, Espanyol have produced some of the most memorable derby moments in the fixture's long history. These encounters carry a weight that transcends the table standings, fuelled by deep cultural and social divisions within the city.

European competition has provided some of Espanyol's finest hours. The club's run to the 2007 UEFA Cup final was a remarkable achievement, with the Pericos battling through a gruelling campaign before falling to Sevilla on penalties in a heartbreaking finale in Glasgow. Earlier European adventures also brought excitement, with the club regularly qualifying for continental competition during their strongest domestic periods.

Relegation has tested the club's resolve on multiple occasions, but each time Espanyol have bounced back with characteristic determination. The drops from La Liga were painful, but the promotions that followed demonstrated the unbreakable bond between club and community. Their return to the top flight was always celebrated with an intensity that only a club with Espanyol's identity could generate. The move to the modern RCDE Stadium in 2009 marked a new era, though supporters still speak fondly of the atmosphere at Sarrià.

Espanyol's history is illuminated by players who chose the Pericos over easier paths and became legends in the process. Ricardo Zamora, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, began his career at Espanyol before the Spanish Civil War era, and his legacy still looms large over the club. The Zamora Trophy, awarded annually to La Liga's best goalkeeper, bears his name – a permanent reminder of Espanyol's contribution to the sport.

The prolific Raúl Tamudo became the embodiment of modern Espanyol, spending the vast majority of his career with the club and becoming their all-time top scorer. His last-minute goal against Barcelona in 2007 to effectively deny their rivals the league title remains one of the most celebrated moments in Espanyol folklore. Tamudo was more than a striker – he was a symbol of loyalty in an era of mercenary football.

Daniel Jarque, the beloved captain whose tragic death in 2009 shook the football world, is honoured at every home match. His memory is woven into the fabric of the club. Other notable figures include Iván de la Peña, the gifted playmaker who returned to Espanyol after stints at Barcelona and Lazio, and Thomas N'Kono, the Cameroonian goalkeeper who brought African flair to La Liga in the 1990s. Managers such as Miguel Ángel Lotina and Ernesto Valverde – before his move to Athletic Bilbao and later Barcelona – helped shape competitive teams that consistently defied expectations. Mauricio Pochettino also launched his managerial career at Espanyol, laying the foundations for his later success at Tottenham.

The Espanyol shirt tells a story of identity and tradition through its iconic blue and white stripes. These colours have remained remarkably consistent throughout the club's history, with the vertical striped pattern becoming one of the most recognisable in Spanish football. A retro Espanyol shirt from any era is instantly identifiable, a testament to the club's commitment to its visual heritage.

The 1980s kits, worn during matches at Sarrià, featured classic designs with minimal commercial branding that collectors find particularly appealing. The transition into the 1990s brought bolder designs in line with the era's fashion, with manufacturers experimenting with stripe widths and collar styles while maintaining the essential blue and white identity. Kits from the 2006 Copa del Rey winning season and the 2007 UEFA Cup final run are especially prized among collectors.

Away kits have offered more variety, with Espanyol occasionally adopting all-yellow, all-blue, or even red designs over the decades. The club's various kit manufacturers – including Puma, Kelme, and later Chinese brand Li-Ning in a distinctive commercial partnership – each brought their own interpretation to the classic template. With 77 retro Espanyol shirts available, collectors can trace the full evolution from hand-stitched simplicity to modern technical fabrics.