THE VITALS:

Team: Tottenham Hotspur

Brand: Kappa

Era: 2003-04 (Used for the 2003-04 Barclaycard Premiership season)

Name/Number: -

CONDITION: VERY GOOD

This article comes to you still in very good, wearable condition. While there is some small pulling and signs of wear that will inevitably come with the territory, the main blemish is of course the sponsor decal which has sadly diminished. The material and embroidery, however, are in nothing short of fine order. 

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Medium

Pit to Pit Measurement: 19 inches

Shirt Length: 26 inches 

Made by Kappa ahead of the 2003-04 season; this is classic early-mid-2000’s Kappa fit, in other words fitted! While it will still likely look great on a size medium, the dimensions suggest that this shirt may be better for a size small.

DESCRIPTION:

While the home shirt from Kappa’s debut season as Tottenham Hotspurs’ kit supplier was retained ahead of the 2003-04 season; a pair of radically new change kits accompanied it. The first of which was the classic pastel blue ensemble used as the away kit. Neglecting the accents and secondary colours that the 2002-03 season’s shirts featured; this strip was simply all blue; evoking an almost ‘Italia’ feel to the strip, with Kappa’s most famous work being their creations for the Italian national side. The other big difference was the change of the Thomson decal which now leant much heavier on the companies ‘smiley face’ than the font itself. Unlike the home shirt, the collar of the change shirts sits much higher up the neck; altogether creating an unforgettable and majestic football shirt!

THE SEASON:

Despite another 50-point haul in 2002-03; Spurs would finish a position lower than they did in 2001-02 as they had to settle for a 10^th place finish and no cup final of any sort to speak of. Long time servants: Teddy Sheringham, Ben Thatcher, Steffen Iverson and Neil Sullivan all bid the club farewell in the close season as Glenn Hoddle brought in the promising talents of: Helder Postiga and Bobby Zamora, while shrewd moves were also made for Frederic Kanoute, Paul Konchesky and Stephane Dalmat.

Hoddle would endure a torrid start to the season that ultimately led to his dismissal at the end of September 2003, with the club having won just once in 7 league outings. David Pleat took the reins, and while the 2003 portion of the season left little to be desired, the signing of Jermaine Defoe in January 2004 saw an upturn in fortunes as the club won 6 from their opening 7 league games in 2004. During this run, Robbie Keane would score in 5 consecutive league games between January 7^th to February 7^th 2004.

While Pleat could only guide Tottenham to a 14^th place finish, he would at least steer well clear of a potential relegation dog-fight and the forward line of: Robbie Keane, Kanoute and Defoe would score a combined 35 goals in all competitions, and while scant consolation, their 4-3 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup was a game of the season contender, as was their 4-4 draw with Leicester City

The 2003-04 season also holds the distinction of being the last that David Pleat was involved with the club, and also for the final farewell for the likes of: Chris Perry, Gustavo Poyet, Christian Ziege, Darren Anderton, Stephen Carr, Gary Doherty, Mauricio Taricco, Jamie Redknapp and Kasey Keller.

The notable players that season were:

Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe, Frederic Kanoute, Bobby Zamora, Helder Postiga, Jonathan Blondel, Gus Poyet, Stephane Dalmat, Simon Davies, Rohan Ricketts, Christian Ziege, Jamie Redknapp, Darren Anderton, Michael Brown, Ledley King, Dean Richards, Stephen Carr, Anthony Gardner, Gary Doherty, Mauricio Taricco, Stephen Kelly, Kasey Keller