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September 5th 2006 marked exactly THIRTY YEARS since Temple Fortune first entered the Maccabi (Southern) Football League, an achievement of which the Club is extremely proud; this is because no other club has competed continually in the M(S)FL over the past 30 seasons under the same name. To mark this splendid occasion, the Club decided to order two new commemorative kits to reflect Temple Fortune's original M(S)FL colours back in 1976.
When Temple Fortune first entered Maccabi football, the team wore green and white vertical stripes, green shorts and green socks. With the commemorative concept in mind, Club Member GARY BEKHORS generously agreed to sponsor two full playing kits for both teams for season 2006/07. The new shirts will carry a special embroided commemorative badge, together with the sponsor's logotype. The change of colours, as innovative as Arsenal's adoption of their redcurrent shirts for one season to celebrate Highbury's last season, is Temple Fortune's first change for 20 years. Says Chairman Nigel Kyte: "Yellow and red remain the Club's traditional colours, much as red and white remains Arsenal's despite the one-off redcurrent change, and no doubt we will return to our well-known identity sooner rather than later. But the concept of celebrating 30 years in Maccabi football with a dramatic change – incidently conceived before Arsenal hatched their plan – is a refreshing move by this Club which has been received very well."
THE STORY BEHIND TFFC'S CHOICE OF GREEN AND WHITE COLOURS
How did Temple Fortune get to play in green and white?
A strange story! The Committee of the time voted to play in sky blue shirts with red or black shorts, having not been keen on Nigel Kyte's proposal to adopt yellow shirts and red shorts, which was the Founders' original concept. Here is the actual wording from the minutes of the General Club Meeting held on 18th February 1976 held at 1 Oakfields Road, attended by Nigel Kyte, Brian Melzack, Peter Kyte, Peter Rutland and Michael Rook. "8. Playing kit. Sky blue shirts, red or black shorts, red or black socks. Alternative strips: second choice - green shirts, third choice - white shirts. Clash colours: Yellow shirts, red or black shorts". With the 1976/77 season fast approaching, an order was submitted by Chairman Nigel Kyte to a manufacturer who responded saying that sky blue shirts were out of stock. So the secondary choice of green was adopted.
So green shirts it was then?
Well, no! Upon talking to Soccertogs,Nigel was left to decide between plain green shirts or green and white stripes. Said Nigel: "With white being the third choice colours, I thought green and white stripes were more interesting than plain green shirts. So I selected the stripes! And I also chose green shorts ahead of the red or black originally decided – aethetically more suitable!"
Which company was used?
A mail order firm called Soccertogs promised a quick delivery at a good price. Nigel ordered a set of 'emerald' and white vertical striped shirts, 'emerald' shorts and 'emerald' socks – emerald being the name of the shade of green according to Soccertogs! The shirts were numbered with black screen-printed numerals, but no badge was printed on the front. We have no recollection of the colour of the goalkeeper's shirt, nor whether a kit bag was ordered, though in all probability it was!
Did Temple Fortune need to change colours during the 1976/77 season?
The team had to change once – against top-flight side Regent North End (in the CA Cup) at Wormwood Scrubs. A second hand set of royal blue shirts was purchased from Credit Lyonaise Bank via bank employee Tom Machette (a Temple Fortune player during that inaugural season). The shirts were worn with the green shorts and socks. However, Kingsclere, who played in Temple Fortune's division, wore green shirts with white trim and white shorts in the fixture at The Elms, yet strangely the referee was happy for Temple Fortune to wear the green and white strip!
Did the Club's first ever clash colours prove successful?
Hardly! Temple Fortune lost 7-0 to Regent North End, the heaviest defeat all season!
How long was the Soccertogs kit used?
For two seasons – 1976/77 and 1977/78. The shirts were made of cotton and after two full seasons of use they started to shrink! The Club bought a new kit for season 1978/79. Based on the 1976/77 'clash' colours, it was all royal blue with red and white trim. The Soccertog shirts became the 'clash' colours.
Does any of the old green and white kit still exist?
Yes. Chairman Nigel Kyte still has two or three old shirts in his possession. They are stored in his garage together with remnants of other former TF playing kits. The shirts have shrunk so much, one would barely reach a player's navel and be very tight across the chest and arms! The green shorts were in use for casual wear by the Kyte brothers but became very tight too as physiques broadened over the years and were eventually thrown out! Peter was given one Soccertogs shirt framed and labelled to commemorate 400 appearances.
How close are the new shirts to the old ones?
Well, the new strip is a striking adaptation of the original kit, maufactured by Liverpool suppliers Soccer Company. The shade of green is New Mexico, which is an attractive deeper hue.
Was the idea to revert back to green and white conceived as a result of Arsenal's adoption of redcurrent, which celebrated the last season at Highbury?
Not in the least! Nigel Kyte, supported by Peter Kyte and Steve Feiger, thought that a great way of commemorating the Club's 30th season in Maccabi football would be to bring back the green and white colours. This concept first originated FOUR years previously – well before Arsenal released their decision to adopt redcurrent for one season!
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HISTORY OF TFFC'S COLOURS: Previous page
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TFFC KIT GALLERY: A pictorial history of TFFC's playing kits
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