Another shirt of interest for those north of the border after the addition of the West Scotland shirt a couple of days ago. You can’t get more northern than the Shetland Islands!
Probably known more for their ponies than their football, Shetland are far from non-FIFA heavyweights. That’s not to say they’ve not enjoyed some success though, winning the 2005 Island Games tournament they hosted themselves. Considering their best ever finish apart from that is fifth, it was rightly labelled the ‘biggest shock in Island Games football history’ as Shetland beat holders Guernsey 2-0 in the final to spark probably the biggest booze-up in island history.
They haven’t competed since 2009 but hopefully they will be in the 2015 tournament in Jersey. The Shelties also compete in the Milne Cup, a yearly game against close island rivals Orkney. It is a great, heated rivalry which Shetland have largely dominated in terms of wins. They won last year’s game 4-1 in Lerwick.
Shetland have a pretty impressive record in the Island Games against the likes of Gibraltar (three wins, one defeat) and they also have six wins against now FIFA members the Faroe Islands (which are only 170 miles north west!). Regular competition is the key though and I hope they will be present in Jersey next year.
The shirt itself is fairly plain but has some nice features such as the Shetland flag on the right arm and the star at the top of the crest to signify the 2005 Island Games success. It is made by ProStar, who many will remember from many years ago and is another good addition to the collection.
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