WHO GIVES A SHIRT

Why do football shirts even exist? Kimberley Cumberbatch steps into ex-footballer Jack Fowler’s world for the first time. Together, they talk to journalist and filmmaker Xaymaca Awoyungbo about the chaos of playing football before there were kits. They check out the itchy and impractical shirt worn in the first-ever international football match, and see how today’s designs avoid the flaws of the past while still nodding to history.

What are football shirts made from? James Harkin (Head Researcher and Writer of the TV show QI and co-host of podcast No Such Thing As A Fish) brings to life the story behind the material. Jack and Kimberley discover how the first synthetic football shirt looked more like something from a 70s disco than the pitch. They also get an exclusive peek at the legendary Cameroon onesie jersey that was so bold, FIFA banned it. Later, they play a heated game where Jack and Kimberley come dangerously close to falling out…

Why do fans wear football shirts? Jack and Kimberley speak to die-hard Man City fan and City Matters representative Angela Worrall about the rollercoaster of supporting a football team and what her collection of football shirts mean to her. Together, they trace the origins of fan jerseys back to a surprising source: a Leicester-based company that once made underwear for nuns. Yes, you read that right. Along the way, they uncover how football shirts help build a sense of identity and community—on the pitch, in the stands, and even while on holiday.

How did the football shirt become a street-style staple? Designer Hattie Crowther joins Jack and Kimberley to explore why this once pitch-only piece is now a global wardrobe essential, even for non-football fans. Hattie shares how she tells stories through her football shirt-inspired designs, and reveals how iconic kits often draw influence from a wide range of sources—from Oasis’s Noel Gallagher to the Civil Rights Movement. The conversation also dives into the rise of thrifting and how the increasingly genderless football shirt is helping football style feel more inclusive.

Pre-loved, re-loved, or brand new – what does the future of football shirts look like? Jack and Kimberley sit down with upcycler and one of PUMA's Voices of a RE:GENERATION, Andrew Burgess, to discuss innovations designed to reduce the industry’s environmental impact and how fans can play their part. They explore PUMA’s RE:FIBRE programme, which transforms polyester textile waste from factory off-cuts, faulty goods, and pre-loved clothing into new materials. As we reach the end of the series – Jack finds out if he’s convinced Kimberley to “give a shirt”.