Season 1979/80
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season


The Season in brief

Sexton paid a new club record of £825,000 to bring Ray Wilkins to Old Trafford from his previous club, Chelsea. Wilkins remains one of the classiest midfielders to have played for the club since the War. Wilkins' arrival signalled the side's strongest title challenge since their return to the top flight, and club captain Martin Buchan and Gordon McQueen were dominant at the heart of United's defence. Despite winning seven of their final eight League games they lost out to Liverpool by just two points. The 2-0 defeat at Brian Clough's Nott'm Forest on April 2nd proved crucial.

The most embarrassing defeat came at Portman Road on March 1st. To counter the threat of Ipswich's English international Paul Mariner, Sexton instructed Martin Buchan to man mark the centre forward. Realising the tactic early Mariner simply dropped deep, pulling Buchan out of position. Ipswich won 6-0, despite Gary Bailey saving three penalties, and Mariner scored a hat trick.

United were beaten in the early rounds of both domestic Cup competitions. Despite losing their 'keeper early in a third round FA Cup replay at Old Trafford, Spurs won 1-0 in extra time and Norwich won 4-1 at Carrow Road in a League Cup third round tie. East Anglia was ce rtainly not a happy hunting ground for United.

Following the use of a special centenary crest in the previous season, all three kits again featured the traditional club crest, and the Admiral logo became a permanent fixture.

The trend for variations of the standard kit continued unabated; a special club crest appeared on shirts for the Old Trafford 'derby' and both the 1978/79 centenary and 1979 Cup Final shirts were worn several times throughout the new season. The centenary change and third shirts were also used.

Can you help identify the kits worn by United in the games against Norwich (a) 26/9/1979 and Everton (a) 24/10/1978