How to spot a fake 1995 Newcastle United away shirt (with photos)

One of my favourite 90s football shirts is the Newcastle United away from 1995.  Purple and blue with a grandad collar and worn by so many legends.  

It’s a classic (Rob Lee’s favourite shirt too) and it is also one of the hardest fakes to spot.  I’ve been stung twice buying it on eBay—and I don’t want it to happen to you.

Here are 5 tips via Amy Alby to know if it if your vintage Newcastle United shirt is legit or fake.  Give Amy a follow on Twitter here.

The Newcastle club crest

Let’s start with the crest. First off, don’t worry if the crest or sponsor is slightly off-centre.  In 1995, these were applied by hand, so positioning could vary.  What really matters is the quality of the crest. On fakes, look out for two oversized white vertical stripes running behind it. The embroidery is often sloppier and flatter. The genuine crest should be tightly stitched and well-defined.

The Adidas logo

The Adidas trefoil should look crisp, clean, and correctly spaced. On fake shirts, the letters often look like they’re "starting to have a party".  They are wobbly, uneven, or spaced too far apart. If it looks like the logo’s had one too many pints, it's likely a fake.

The Newcastle Brown Ale sponsor

This is a big giveaway. The original shirt uses a flock print with a raised flock border around the logo. A fake will often have a shiny vinyl version that lacks texture and looks far too glossy under light. Rub your hand across it.  If it is really hard, smooth and plasticky, that’s a red flag.

The official garment tag

The authentic tag will feature three small Newcastle crests printed clearly and cleanly. The fake version usually has too much excess material, and the crests themselves look puffy or distorted—like they’ve been blown up slightly.

The internal label stitching

This is the easiest tell—especially for 1995 home and away shirts. Look inside the shirt: the real version will have a thin thread running along the internal label seam.
If that thread’s missing? Sorry, but it’s not the real deal.

If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to reach out to an expert or better yet, shop somewhere you can trust.

At Football Shirt Collective, we authenticate every shirt we sell, include detailed photos, and take the guesswork out of buying vintage kits. No fakes. No surprises.

Browse our collection of authentic Newcastle United shirts here now and grab the real thing.  Thanks again to Amy for the picture and tips.  Give her a follow on Twitter here.