While organizing my wardrobe recently, I found some old jerseys and felt inspired to discuss Valencia’s jersey history. As a longtime Valencia fan who has lived here for years and witnessed Valencia vs Barcelona the birth of many classic designs, I’d like to share the evolution of this team’s jerseys with you today.
Early Designs and the White Tradition
Valencia Club was founded in 1919, and the original jerseys were predominantly white. Many may not know that today’s iconic white jersey actually continues the tradition from the club’s founding. Early jersey designs were very minimalist, basically pure white shirts paired with black shorts, and the bat emblem on the chest was much smaller than today’s version. From the 1930s to 1950s, jersey styles didn’t change much, mainly alternating between round and V-neck collar designs.
The jersey fabrics of that era were completely different from today’s, mostly cotton materials that would become particularly heavy after matches. Fans from my grandfather’s generation said that after players finished 90 minutes, you could wring water out of their jerseys.
Classic Style Timeline
| Era | Main Features | Sponsor | Classic Matches |
|---|
| 1919-1940 | Pure white minimalist design | None | First regional championship |
| 1941-1970 | V-neck design popular | None | 1967 Cup Winners’ Cup |
| 1971-1990 | Orange details added | Luanvi, etc. | 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup victory |
| 1991-2000 | Modern tailoring | Adidas/Nike | 1999 Copa del Rey |
| 2001-Present | Diversified designs | Nike/Puma | 2004 Double winners |
The Story of the Bat Emblem
When discussing Valencia jerseys, one cannot overlook the bat emblem. This design originates from the legend of King James I of Valencia, who reportedly had a bat land on his flag while conquering the city. The bat has since become Valencia’s symbol, naturally appearing on the team’s crest.
The size and position of the bat emblem have varied across different eras. The 1980s version was larger with rich details, the 1990s saw simplified designs, and post-2000 brought back some retro elements. My personal favorite is the 2004 double-winning season’s version, where the bat emblem was perfectly sized and the overall design well-balanced.
Away Jersey Evolution
Away jerseys have seen far richer variations than home jerseys. From black, orange, and blue to recent fluorescent colors, nearly every color scheme has been tried. I remember the all-black away jersey from the 2007-08 season was particularly popular, often selling out at the official store outside Mestalla stadium.
The most controversial was probably the fluorescent yellow away jersey from the 2015-16 season. When first launched, many criticized it as too bright, but over time it gained recognition for its distinctiveness. Although that season’s results weren’t great, the jersey design was certainly bold.
Sponsors and Commercialization
Entering the 21st century, jersey commercialization became increasingly prominent. From Nike to Puma, each sponsor change brought design style shifts. The jerseys released after Puma took over received generally positive reviews, especially the 2020-21 centenary commemorative edition, which incorporated many historical elements.
Chest advertising has also been a major change. Early jerseys had no advertisements, later gradually featuring sponsors like Fuerza Valencia and bwin. Today’s CaixaBank advertisement, while occupying a prominent position, shows thoughtful color coordination by the design team without compromising overall aesthetics.
As an ordinary fan interested in Valencia’s number 21 history, I’m more concerned about jersey quality and pricing. Authentic jerseys easily cost seventy to eighty euros, and while the fabrics and tailoring have genuinely improved compared to before, it’s still a bit expensive for those wanting to collect multiple pieces, as reflected in Valencia’s historical events. However, whenever new season jerseys are released, I can’t help wanting to buy one—that’s probably fan sentiment for you.
Do you have a favorite Valencia jersey style? Or which season’s jersey do you still keep at home? Feel free to share your collection stories.
