Ajax Football Shirts

History of Ajax club colors

Following the establishment of the Ajax Football Club in 1900, Ajax Amsterdam first wore a black uniform with a red-colored sash tied around the waists of the players. The colors, black and red, were taken from the Amsterdam city crest. Abandoned after just a year, the club's new playing uniform consisted of red and white vertically striped shirts with black or dark shorts.

After ten seasons playing in these colors, Ajax gained promotion to the top level of club football in the Netherlands, known as the First Class or Eredivisie. It was after this promotion that it was ruled Ajax change its team colors; Sparta Rotterdam were already participating in the First Class competition and wore almost identifical uniforms. And so the famous red strip of Ajax was born.

The colors Ajax chose for their new uniform were red and white. A wide vertical red stripe featured on the front and back of the shirt, while the shorts were a simple white - a design that Ajax still wear to this day. As commercial influence grows in world football, it is important that clubs retain their sense of identity - something that Ajax takes very seriously.

As uniforms to be worn at away grounds have been introduced, Ajax have given uniform makers greater creative license, and haven't stayed true to a particular theme or design. Throughout the years, the away kit has been black and red, in a subtle nod to the club's origins. However, it has also been green & yellow, sky blue, navy blue, and a bizarre combination of red, white and blue.

Major sponsors

Ajax Amsterdam have had three major shirt sponsors: TDK, ABN AMRO, and, more recently, Aegon.

TDK were major shirt sponsors of Ajax throughout the 1980s. The simplicity of the TDK lettering and the clean design of the Ajax home jerseys throughout this time makes it one of the most appealing and sought after soccer shirts of recent times. Due to the rare nature of these

Financial giants ABN AMRO were main kit sponsors from 1990 until 2008. As ABN AMRO's relationship with the Ajax club was long-lasting and successful, the ABN AMRO lettering down the side of club's jerseys seems almost synonymous with successful, attractive football.

In 2008, insurance and pension group Aegon signed a seven-year rights deal to sponsor the Dutch club's kit.

Classic Ajax Jerseys

Club kits hold a special place in the heart of football supporters. Fans can spend thousands of dollars seeking out the rare kits of the past. In the case of AFC Ajax, the simplicity of the home kits means many designed and produced in the early or mid '90s look modern today, but for the shirt sponsor.

The TDK home jersey of the late '80s, produced by Kappa Sports, is to an Ajax fan, a classic jersey. The simple red collar and red trim are contrasted by the bold TDK lettering on the front of the shirt. Many football fans might remember a young Marco van Basten or Frank Rijkaard wearing this strip.

European Cup winners uniforms

As Ajax dominated European football in the early '70s, many fans have tried to celebrate this rich time in club history by wearing retro jerseys. These shirts, manufactured new, are styled on classic designs and are readily available online. The designs of this era are quite simple. There is no club logo or sponsor, merely a white shirt with a red strip down the middle. The strip Ajax won the 1994-95 European Cup in, however, is a different story. Ajax wore their away strip in the final against AC Milan in Vienna, which is a navy blue design with red and white trim.

Ajax TDK away jersey

The away jersey Ajax wore in 1989 is a classic to fans of the Amsterdam club. Perhaps not because the jersey is attractive in its design, but because it is so rare and distinctive. A royal blue base is offset by white pinstripes and odd red and white triangles and rectangles. This is quite a rare shirt to find and often sells for a high price on eBay.

Where to buy online

For fans looking to buy Ajax Amsterdam shirts online, by far the best source is eBay. Many fans list retro items from the early '90s and some retailers also use this as a place to get rid of old stock.