O V E R V I E W
ADMIRAL THROUGH THE YEARS
The history of the ADMIRAL Trademark.

The Trademark ADMIRAL was created in 1914 by A.B.C. Hosiery Limited (later known as Cook & Hurst Limited) manufacturing good quality English made underwear and, subsequently, various items of sportswear.

During the 1970's, ADMIRAL were pioneers of a new concept producing bespoke soccer stripes for major football clubs, coupling innovative design and fabrics with the use of the Club's official crest or badge. Throughout the 1980's this innovation was driven forward by ADMIRAL and other manufacturers leading to availability at retail of design-led soccerwear and replica kits as a new sector was created within the sportswear market.

As ADMIRAL expanded, agreements were reached with many well known British soccer teams to wear ADMIRAL kits, such as England's National Team (1974 - 1984 including 1982 World Cup Finals), the Welsh National Team (1974 - 1979), Manchester United (1975 - 1980), Tottenham Hotspur (1977 - 1980), West Ham United (1976 - 1980) and (1987 - 1988), Norwich City (1976 - 1981), Southampton (1975 - 1979), Portsmouth (1987 - 1988), Leicester City (1975 - 1979 and 1983 - 1988), Bradford City ( 1985 - 1988). In addition, many International teams wore ADMIRAL including Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Servette, the Saudi Arabian National team and New York Cosmos. The ADMIRAL trademark achieved worldwide recognition and today the name still commands a respect and instant recall in international markets.

ADMIRAL entered the 1990's well placed to build upon its widespread awareness and long established reputation. Clubs supplied by ADMIRAL included English Champions Leeds United, Scottish Champions Glasgow Rangers, USSR Champions Dynamo Kiev, Sparta Rotterdam, Southampton, Middlesborough, Plymouth, Bradford, Grimsby, Italy Series B Champions Foggia, The Polish, San Marino and the North Korean National Teams, Wimbledon, Northern Ireland Champions Portadown, Charlton Athletic, Heart of Midlothian and Scottish Cup Winners Motherwell, Louletano of Portugal and Al Wadha of the U.A.E.

During the 1990's after a period of relatively inactivity, the trademarks were acquired in 1997 by branded sports and leisurewear specialists, Hay & Robertson plc, who are dedicated to re-establishing ADMIRAL as one of the World's leading soccer brands.