Admiral is a pioneering British sportswear brand best known for revolutionizing football kit design and launching the replica shirt industry in the 1970s.
- Founded in 1914 in Leicester, Admiral began as a military clothing and underwear manufacturer before transitioning into sportswear.
- It gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the first brands to commercialize football kits and introduce visible branding on shirts.
- Admiral was the first company to place its logo on football shirts, starting with Leeds United in 1973–74, followed by a landmark deal with the England national team in 1974.
- This move sparked the replica kit boom, allowing fans to buy and wear the same shirts as their heroes—a concept that reshaped football merchandising
