A classic Cardiff City home shirt representing the Bluebirds across the 1985–86 and 1986–87 campaigns, a turbulent but fascinating period in the club’s history.
The 1985–86 season saw Cardiff compete in the Third Division, with Nigel Vaughan finishing as the club’s leading scorer. Following relegation, a new era began under Frank Burrows in 1986–87, with Welsh international Alan Curtis joining a reshaped squad alongside players including Terry Boyle and Paul Wimbleton. The campaign also featured memorable cup performances, including a 2–1 League Cup victory over Chelsea at Ninian Park.
The shirt itself captures the unmistakable character of mid-1980s British football, featuring a rich royal-blue base covered with fine white vertical pinstripes. White contrasting details complement the traditional Cardiff colours, while the prominent Airways Cymru sponsor across the chest gives the design a particularly distinctive Welsh identity and authentic period appearance.
Please refer to the size guidance on this product page for detailed measurements.
Cardiff City 1985–87 Home Jersey
Buy 4 selected tops & save 20%
Size Guidance (Retro Jersey)
Size Chest (in) Length (in) Rec. Height (ft/in) Rec. Weight (lb) S 39 28 65–67 121–132 M 41 28 67–69 132–154 L 43 29 69–71 154–176 XL 44 30 71–75 176–198 XXL 46 31 75–79 198–220 Note: All sizes are for reference only. Manual measurement may result in an error of ±1 inch.
IN BETWEEN SIZES?
That's easier said than done. Because what do you do if you are in between two sizes?
Well, that's up to you. Do you like a tight fit? Go for the smaller size. Loving a loose fit? Go for the larger size.
TOP FIT
If your body measurements for chest and waist result in two different suggested sizes, order the size from your chest measurement.
Rec. Player Printing Options
Printing Recommendation No.8 — Nigel Vaughan Best Printing Choice. The strongest performance-based option from this shirt era. Vaughan finished 1985–86 as Cardiff's leading scorer with 17 goals in all competitions and remained an important player the following season. No.6 — Jimmy Mullen A strong club-identity choice representing an experienced Cardiff figure who had also served the club in a coaching and caretaker-management capacity. No.5 — Nigel Stevenson A classic defensive choice from a long-serving Cardiff player strongly associated with the Bluebirds during the 1980s. No.3 — David Giles A distinctive Welsh option representing an experienced Wales international who featured for Cardiff during the 1985–86 campaign. No.10 — Gerry Nardiello A period-specific attacking option from the 1985–86 side. No.7 — Paul Wheeler Another authentic choice from Cardiff's mid-1980s squad and a player who remained associated with the club beyond this shirt period. Best Printing Choice No.8 — Nigel Vaughan
Second Choice No.6 — Jimmy Mullen
Third Choice No.5 — Nigel Stevenson
* Traditional matchday number rather than a fixed season-long squad number.
Season Information
Seasons: 1985–86 & 1986–87
1985–86 Manager: Alan Durban
1986–87 Manager: Frank Burrows
1985–86 Competition: Football League Third Division
1985–86 League Position: 22nd — Relegated
1986–87 Competition: Football League Fourth Division
1986–87 League Position: 13th
1985–86 Top Scorer: Nigel Vaughan — 17 goals in all competitions
1986–87 Top Scorer: Paul Wimbleton — 11 goals in all competitions
Sponsor: Airways CymruCardiff City experienced a difficult period during the two seasons associated with this shirt. The Bluebirds were relegated from the Third Division in 1985–86 before competing in the Fourth Division the following season. Nigel Vaughan was the club's leading scorer in 1985–86 with 17 goals in all competitions, while Paul Wimbleton led the scoring in 1986–87 with 11.
