You’ve seen the idea behind our Diamond Icons range and the classic taping that we’ve revived, but what made taping so special? We’ve asked John Devlin, the man behind the excellent True Colours Football Kits, to give us an idea of the era in which taping captured our imagination. Here’s John’s take on a golden era for football and for kit design…

‘Both on and off the pitch, the 1970s was the decade of flamboyant and extravagant fashion. And there can’t be any other element of football kit design so intrinsically linked with the decade then taping; the contrasting patterned trim that ran down the sleeves and shorts of so many kits in the second half of that decade.

Despite glimpses of the trend at the 1974 finals, the taping craze reached a crescendo four years later during the 1978 event in Argentina when almost every nation sported some form of taping on at least one of their kits, transforming at a stroke plain and simple single colour shirts into glorious, decorated icons of football.

Umbro’s sole representative in the tournament was Scotland, managed at the time by Ally MacLeod, whose dark navy shirts showcased the famous Umbro diamond taping to maximum effect. Umbro had introduced the ‘filled in’ diamond taping design in 1976 but updated it throughout their roster in 1978 with their standard ‘double diamond’ logo. However internationally, multiple displays of brand logos were not permitted, leaving the Scots sporting the original design.

As well as being Umbro’s only team in Argentina, Scotland were also the UK’s only representative as was subtly pointed out by Andy Cameron in his World Cup single ‘Ally’s Army’;

‘We’re representing Britain we’re gaunny do or die, cause England cannae do it cause they didnae qualify!’

To say the hopes of the excited Scottish fans, fuelled by the powerful hype and incredulous boasts of MacLeod were high prior to the tournament is an understatement. As the team waved goodbye to the Tartan Army at Prestwick airport the whole of Scotland (and probably much of the UK, who now all seemed to be honorary Scots) were hoodwinked into believing the side would come back clutching the trophy. Shops and newspapers were full of commemorative posters, flags and all manner of tartan paraphernalia.

Funnily enough Scotland exceeded Andy Cameron’s lyrical expectations and managed to both do and die in the tournament. The squad, which included the calibre of Kenny Dalglish, Joe Jordan and Graeme Souness, turned out lacklustre performances against Peru to whom they crashed 3-1 and minnows Iran who incredibly held the Scots to a 1-1 draw, before they finally pulled their diamond-trimmed red socks up and astonished the world with a 3-2 win over hot favourites and eventual finalists Holland. The match included a legendary moment for Scottish supporters though when wee Archie Gemmill twisted and turned through the Dutch defence and with a flash of diamond taping hit the ball past Jan Jongbloed in the Holland goal. Sadly it was all too little too late and Scotland exited the finals at the first round stage.

So as a despondent Scotland headed for home in a sorry ritual that was to become all to familiar to their supporters in the following years, the tournament carried on, culminating in a final between Argentina and Holland. As the players took to the field the sky was absolutely filled with ticker tape. The strands of paper rained down on the pitch and created a sublime spectacle worthy of a World Cup final. Once the debris had been cleared from the turf the game commenced and the host nation eventually ended up as winners, beating Holland 3-1 after extra time.

So what did Argentina ‘78 leave to British football? Well, a new song for supporters as “Ally’s Army” rang out on terraces throughout the land with customised lyrics depending on where it was sung, the greatest Scottish international goal of all time and last, but by no means least, the fashion legacy of taping.’

Thanks to John for his excellent insight into the era of taping and for the eye-catching illustrations – you can see more of his fantastic work over at True Colours Football Kits.