While the Premier League might get most of the shine, there are plenty of fantastic kits throughout all levels of the English football system. We take a look at the best from the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Among Europe’s top footballing countries, when you look past the top tier, there aren’t many clubs that grab the casual fan’s attention; however, that’s different in the English Football League.
The English football pyramid is arguably the most well-known in the world, and there are legendary clubs skewed across the EFL Championship, League One, and League Two. However, with the Premier League holding all its glitz and glam, it’s often easy to overlook EFL clubs.
That brings us to today’s topic — kits. This season has been a sensational one for kits across the world, and it’s about time we shed some light on England’s less covered teams. Here are our picks for the most underrated 2023-24 football shirts.
Bristol City (Championship) Away
Black and gray kits will always be famous. In this instance though, it’s the minor details that take this kit from good to great. The sleeves and collar of this kit feature a subtle purple and green trim that accentuates the black base of the top perfectly.
Upon closer inspection, the gray pattern on the body is an old Bristol City emblem that once featured on the club’s matchday programs. It’s a fitting tribute to the past that’s also aesthetically pleasing, which makes for a nice double feature.
Plymouth Argyle (Championship) Home
This could very well be the best of the lot, and there aren’t enough people speaking about it as a potential best kit in football this year.
When you do it right, green and gold is stunning; and boy did Plymouth get it right. From the gold trims on the V-neck and sleeves to the sponsor, everything just feels so…perfect.
Bradford City (League Two) Away
Off-white kits have become increasingly popular in recent years, and this season Bradford City hopped on the trend.
The club’s famous claret and amber colors are normally the main feature of their kits, and what sets this one apart is how they remain the focus while also being very minimal.
The sponsor on the chest is in claret and is flanked by broad claret stripes down each side that lead directly into the shorts. The amber provides the finishing touches, featuring subtly on the collars, sleeve cuffs, and socks.
Carlisle United (League One) Home
This one gives us a proper throwback feel. The 1980s and ’90s were filled with kits that boasted similar patterns to this, and the subtle red and white design woven into the shirt fits the blue base so well.
One of the best parts of this top is the white strip on the V-neck and shirt sleeves. A bright red line is featured on both and serves as a really good punctuation to a fine kit.
Leeds United (Championship) All of ‘em
Whoever imagined Leeds United’s trio of 2023-24 kits needs a raise. What makes this threesome work in my opinion, is the simplicity of the home kit. A white base with minimal blue and yellow stripes is a classic look that is always a recipe for success and lays the foundation for them to be more expressive.
Expressive is certainly the word for Leeds’ away and third kits. The second strip is more than just a nod to their nickname, “The Peacocks.” It’s a statement with a bold peacock print draped across its entirety. Some may despise the gaudy nature of it, but again with how it contrasts the home kit, it works.
The third strip is designed similarly. It’s an abstract painting-type feel on this one. The pink and yellow designs which also feature subtle peacock imagery are combined with navy outlines to leave you with an extravagant kit.
Leeds might’ve been relegated last season, but their kits certainly didn’t get the memo.
AFC Wimbledon (League Two) Third
Sometimes there just isn’t that much to analyze.
Navy base, gold trim, classic polo collar — AFC Wimbledon needed not to overdo it here, and we’re happy to confirm, they didn’t. Umbro has absolutely hit it out of the park with this one, and Wimbeldon has sneakily had some of the best kits in all of football over the past few seasons.
