1995/96 · Home

In 1995/96 SIC arrived on Sporting’s chest, in black across the hoops, in Adidas’s fifth year at Alvalade. It was also the first season with fixed squad numbers for every player. The 1995 Supertaça stayed in Lisbon, but the season ended at the Jamor on 18 May 1996, with a 3-1 defeat to Benfica in a final scarred by the death of a supporter struck by a flare.

This shirt carries a “Final Taça de Portugal” inscription beside the crest, applied in store for that day. Trefoil label, made in Portugal.

It was the first shirt of my life. There wasn’t much money at home, but there was this. One day it was stolen and I never saw it again. Sometimes I think Hoopster began that day.

Here at Hoopster some shirts are found and some shirts come back: this one has come home.