My First Football Shirt: Daniel Storey

We recently asked for your favourite beer sponsors, and two of the most common responses were Labatt's and Shipstones, both of Nottingham Forest 90s fame.  

When we caught up with football writer Daniel Storey, he also brought up these famous sponsors and the shirts they appeared on. We also discussed cards with grandpa, picnic tablecloth football shirts and Styart Pearce's redemption, all for the latest in our My First Football Shirt Series.

What was your first ever football shirt?

Nottingham Forest, 1990/91. pic.twitter.com/ingTJStDzE

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) June 28, 2015

I remember being about four or five years old, and already schooled in being a Nottingham Forest fan. My mum had seen the club’s glory days (you’ve probably heard one or two fans mention them), and used to leave me at various relations whilst she went to the odd away game or big Cup match.

I remember playing cards with my grandpa when my grandma came in from shopping with a Forest kit in hand. Would have been the Shipstones one from 1989/90 season, and I wore it for what felt like a week straight.

What is your favourite ever football shirt?

_Nottingham Forest

"There’s quite a lot of black on this kit in comparison to Forest kits over the years, but it largely hits the mark for me."

Grade: B-

👉 https://t.co/XpbWbcpgWf pic.twitter.com/9NA4oZjlNM

— Football Shirt Collective (@thefootballsc) May 14, 2020

In terms of personal selection, it would be the blue Nottingham Forest Labatt’s away shirt from 1994/6. It wasn’t particularly good looking, but is synonymous with a time at which football seemed all realised hopes and dreams. From the age of eight and ten whilst we had that kit Forest went from second tier to third in the Premier League and a UEFA Cup QF against Bayern Munich. Someone should have told me that life wasn’t always like that.

In terms of aesthetic perfection, I ’d go for the Croatia national team shirt from Euro 96. I remember Nottingham being awash with that picnic tablecloth pattern with the Croatians playing group games at the City Ground, and instantly believing it to be the coolest thing around. I’m also huge fan of having the shirt number on the front middle of the shirt. It’s iconic without being over-marketed like the Italian or Brazil designs, for me.

Who's the first player you think of when you see this Croatia shirt? pic.twitter.com/fnYBMblTnN

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 5, 2019

What is your favourite football moment?

Completely impossible, so I’ll say the three that I first thought of: Stuart Pearce, England v Spain, Euro 96.

On this day at Euro 96. England beat Spain as Stuart Pearce makes amends and becomes an iconic figure of the tournament #Keepit90s

pic.twitter.com/vYSnv8vEzb

— The 90s Football Podcast (@AK90s) June 22, 2021

I wasn’t old enough during World Cup 90 to comprehend how crushing THAT penalty had been for Pearce, who was my favourite player growing up, but I knew enough by Euro 96 to be racked with nerves as Psycho stood up to take that penalty. I almost cried when it hit the back of the net, and even typing this now makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Vindication and redemption for a man that never needed either in the eyes of Forest fans.

Thanks to Daniel for speaking with us! Give him a follow on Twitter here.

If you want to read more about the football memories of players, writers, and more you can buy the full Your First Football Shirt book. Discover Alan Shearer's first ever football shirt, Carl Anka's most cherished shirt and more. All proceeds go to the charities CALM and Willow.