Retro Bristol Rovers Shirts

Blue and white quarters are at the heart of Bristol Rovers’ identity. At TOFFS we recreate retro Bristol Rovers shirts from the Eastville years, including the Bukta designs of the late 1970s. Our classic Bristol Rovers kits are handcrafted in the UK from 100% cotton, with no modern sponsor or manufacturer logos.

From Black Arabs to Rovers

The club was founded in 1883 as Black Arabs FC, named after the Arabs rugby team and the black kits the players wore. It became Eastville Rovers in 1884 and had taken the Bristol Rovers name by 1899. Over the early decades the shirts changed from blue and white hoops to black and white stripes, then white.

The quarters

In 1931 Rovers introduced blue and white quarters, reportedly to make the players look bigger and more intimidating. The design has been the home kit continuously since 1973. Our range covers the Eastville decades, from the Bristol Rovers 1940s-1950s Retro Football Shirt to the Bristol Rovers 1973-1977 Retro Football Shirt.

The Gas and the Pirates

The official nickname, the Pirates, reflects Bristol’s maritime history. The Gas comes from the gasworks beside Eastville Stadium, home from 1897 to 1986. It began as a jibe from Bristol City fans but was adopted with affection. Rovers have played at the Memorial Stadium in Horfield since 1996.

For every Rovers fan

From the Bukta era come the Bristol Rovers 1977-78 Bukta Retro Football Shirt and the Bristol Rovers 1979-1980 Bukta Retro Football Shirt. For matchday there’s the Bristol Rovers FC Zipped Hoodie - Royal in our casualwear range. Explore more classic clubs in our retro League Two shirts, or add a name and number to make yours unique.