goldenagehk
1988 DDR Longsleeve
1988 DDR Longsleeve
Regular price
HK$1,600.00
Regular price
Sale price
HK$1,600.00
Unit price
per
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A one of one, hand made bleach dyed longsleeve football shirt inspired by the 1988 East Germany football kit. The shirt is 100% cotton and features a polo collar. The front showcases the bold "DDR" (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) lettering, the East German football badge, and the Golden Age logo.
The sleeves have wavy stripes, an alternative take on the classic DDR kit's 3 stripes.
The back shows the squad number "88", reflecting the year this kit was worn by the East German nation team, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the re-unification of Germany.
The shirt is purple and pink, with white detailing.
Size Guide
One of one, available in XL size only.
Background
The late 1980s marked the twilight of East German football, as political upheaval triggered by the Soviet Union’s decline and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 reshaped its trajectory.
Despite political and economic challenges, East German football fans maintained an unwavering loyalty to their clubs. Teams like Dynamo Dresden and FC Union Berlin developed cult followings, with supporters often going to extraordinary lengths to sustain their clubs. For example, Union Berlin fans famously donated blood to raise funds during financial crises and even volunteered 140,000 hours to renovate their stadium by hand. This deep connection between clubs and communities remains a hallmark of East German football culture.
Despite the fanatical loyalty of fans, the weakening of the USSR caused East Germany’s state controlled football system to crumble. Clubs like Dynamo Berlin, once propped up with government money, lost funding and dominance while the opening of borders led to mass player exodus. Bundesliga scouts swarmed East German matches, luring stars like Matthias Sammer and Andreas Thom to the West.
The East German national team was in a strong position to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, but their final qualifying match against Austria was derailed by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the political chaos that followed. Distracted by reunification issues and Western money thrown at players, they lost 3-0. Their last shot at a major tournament was over.
Post-reunification, many East German clubs, struggled in the Bundesliga due to the financial gap between East and West. Only Union Berlin and RB Leipzig (a post-reunification creation) now represent the East in top flight football. The fall of the Berlin Wall fall didn’t just end a political divide, it dismantled East German football’s structures, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential and economic disparity.
Materials
Materials
100% cotton, 220 GSM
Dimensions
Dimensions
Inches
XS - length 24, width 17, sleeve 12.5
S - length 25, width 18, sleeve 13
M - length 27, width 19, sleeve 13.5
L - length 29, width 20.5, sleeve 14
Centimeters
XS - length 61.5, width 43.5, sleeve 32
S - length 64, width 46, sleeve 33.5
M - length 69, width 48.5, sleeve 35
L - length 20.5, width 52.5, sleeve 36
