Charlton Athletic have been specially selected as one of five English Football League (EFL) clubs to feature in a brand new collaboration between Jameson and Classic Football Shirts.
A collection of limited edition bottles, designed by the online shirt retailer, marks the latest chapter in Jameson’s four-year partnership with the EFL and encourages fans to remember their most-loved away kits during their clubs’ memorable moments.
And the iconic 1998/99 away jersey, worn by club legend Clive Mendonca during Charlton’s first year in the Premier League, has been chosen to be showcased on a bespoke bottle.
The shirt was worn in the Addicks’ penultimate game of the season, a 4-3 thriller at Aston Villa which saw Alan Curbishley’s side steal a last minute winner to keep their faint survival hopes alive.
However, a 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday the following weekend was enough to see them relegated – although the side did bounce back the following season, winning the First Division title.
The other four clubs to feature in the collection and paying homage to some of the most iconic away jerseys in football history include: Leicester City, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Tranmere Rovers.
Leicester fans can reminisce about their popular green alternative kit from 1984, which was famously worn by England legend Gary Lineker while Sunderland fans can recall their white away kit from the early 90’s, which was also worn in the 1992 FA Cup final.
Portsmouth’s unique yellow jersey from the 1998-99 season, worn by the likes of Steve Claridge and Tranmere’s 1991 away kit, famously worn in their Third Division Play-Off Final win at Wembley are also included.
The bottles aim to bring fans together to look back at where they were, who they were with and how they felt during the best away days in their clubs’ histories – capturing the very essence of an EFL away day trip, where fans regularly meet to enjoy the craic and share a drink.
On the collaboration, Jameson UK Brand Director Josh McCarthy said: “Seeing the vast collection of classic football shirts, from away matches embedded in the memories of fans from 72 clubs, got our creative juices flowing and we couldn’t help but reminisce on our own favourite away days.
“An away match brings fans together in such a unique and special way, it’s the same kind of kinship you experience when cracking open a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey to share stories with your mates.
“And so, our partnership was born. So grab your favourite design, crack it open with friends and relive the memories of your favourite match days on the road.”
Classic Football Shirts Gary Bierton added: ‘’The beauty of away shirts is that they don’t always show off the recognised club colours, meaning these shirts are associated with particular moments, creating great on the road memories for fans.
“We wanted to honour these away day memories and the players that wore them, by picking out some of the best jerseys across the EFL clubs. Hopefully fans will enjoy these replica kit bottles, reminiscing over the good (and bad!) games.”
Together with the EFL, Jameson will also be celebrating the launch of the bottles with five exclusive pop-up events at each of the partnered clubs ahead of the EFL Play-Off Finals, where fans will be given the opportunity to get their hands on the iconic bottles as well as the chance to meet some club legends as well.
The five limited edition whiskey bottles will be available to purchase from April 2nd and will be available online on Amazon as well as at a variety of retail locations, including TescoFood, Waitrose and Morrisons.