The 1970’s and 1980’s were a good time in Belgian football as their national side and club sides like Anderlecht and Club Bruges regularly made an impact on the world and European stage.
For the World Cup of 1982 in Spain, the Rode Duivels adopted a trendy, jazzy Admiral kit as so many others (notably England, Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United) had done in the preceeding years.
Belgium’s version sported Admiral’s famous ‘braces’ while their national team emblem rested in the centre of the breast – just like the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ pendant did around Kate Winslet’s neck when Leonardo di Caprio sketched her in the altogether in the movie, Titanic.
Wearing this strip, Guy Thys’ men reached the second group phase thanks to victory over Diego Maradona’s Argentina but failed to reach the semi-finals following defeats to the Soviet Union and a hat-trick by Zbiginiew Boniek in the game against the talented Poles.
The notable stars of this side (who would reach the semis four years later in Mexico) were Jan Ceulemans, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Franky Vercauteren and Eric Gerets.
Classic retro shirts now available from Campo www.camporetro.com
