Everton FC 1988/90 Away Shirt

Home shirt worn by Everton F.C. during the 1988 to 1990 period.

The shirt features a distinctive grey and white vertically striped design, enhanced by fine blue pinstripes that subtly incorporate Everton’s traditional colours into the pattern. A white collar and cuffs provide a clean finish, while the blue neckline and matching blue pinstripe on the collar add further contrast. Unusual yet unmistakably stylish, the shirt remains one of Everton’s most memorable away designs from the late 1980s.

The 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons marked a transitional period for Everton as the club sought to recapture the success of their dominant mid-1980s teams under manager Colin Harvey. Despite remaining competitive, the Toffees found it difficult to match the standards that had previously delivered league titles and domestic silverware.

The 1988–89 campaign saw Everton invest heavily in the squad, most notably signing striker Tony Cottee from West Ham United F.C. for a then-English record fee. Cottee immediately justified the investment, finishing as the club’s leading scorer with 18 goals in all competitions. While league form proved inconsistent and Everton finished 8th in the First Division, cup competitions provided greater success. The club reached the FA Cup Final, facing rivals Liverpool F.C. in a memorable post-Hillsborough Merseyside derby. Everton fought bravely but were ultimately defeated 3–2 after extra time. The Toffees also finished as runners-up in the Full Members' Cup.

The 1989–90 season began with renewed optimism following the arrivals of Norman Whiteside and Mike Newell. Everton started strongly and briefly topped the First Division during the autumn months, raising hopes of a title challenge. However, results faded as the season progressed, and the club eventually finished 6th with 59 points. Cup runs were less successful, ending in the fifth round of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the League Cup.

Key figures throughout this period included Cottee, legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall, defender Dave Watson, midfielder Kevin Sheedy, and long-serving striker Graeme Sharp, who continued to provide leadership and quality as Everton navigated a changing era.

This shirt represents a fascinating period in Everton’s history, bridging the gap between the club’s trophy-laden mid-1980s success and the new challenges that awaited as English football entered a new decade.