BIRMINGHAM CITY 2002-03 HOME SHIRT - DUGARRY 21 - L
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Description & Sizing
Excellent condition. Club crest and manufacturer logo are embroidered. Club sponsor is flock and embossed with a few small marks. Player name/number is flock and heat applied. No pulls or bobbles. Colours and stitching in excellent condition.
Birmingham City enjoyed a successful return to the top flight during the 2002/03 campaign under Steve Bruce, finishing 13th in the Premier League in their first season at the highest level of English football since 1985/86.
Having secured promotion through the First Division play-offs the previous season, Birmingham entered the campaign looking to establish themselves in the newly formed Premier League era.
The squad featured established players including Jeff Kenna, Kenny Cunningham, Martin Grainger, Bryan Hughes, Stan Lazaridis, Geoff Horsfield and goalkeeper Nico Vaesen. Summer arrivals included Robbie Savage from Leicester City and Clinton Morrison from Crystal Palace, providing additional experience and attacking options.
Birmingham began their Premier League campaign with a 2–0 defeat against Arsenal at Highbury, but gradually adapted to the demands of top-flight football.
One of the season's most memorable moments came in September 2002, when Birmingham defeated local rivals Aston Villa 3–0 at St Andrew's. Goals from Morrison, Olof Mellberg's own goal and Geoff Horsfield secured an emphatic victory in the first Premier League meeting between the two clubs.
Bruce's side completed a league double over Villa in March 2003, securing a 2–0 victory at Villa Park through goals from Horsfield and Stern John. The results became defining moments of Birmingham's first Premier League campaign, providing memorable victories against their local rivals.
The January arrival of French international Christophe Dugarry from Bordeaux also proved influential during the second half of the season. Dugarry contributed important goals and attacking creativity, helping Birmingham move away from the relegation places.
The club eventually finished 13th with 48 points, recording 13 victories across their 38 Premier League matches. Stern John finished as Birmingham's leading scorer across all competitions with nine goals, while Morrison contributed six league goals during his debut campaign.
In domestic cup competition, Birmingham were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Fulham, while their League Cup campaign ended against Preston North End. The season represented an important achievement for Bruce and his squad, establishing Birmingham as a Premier League club after a lengthy absence from the top flight.
Produced by Le Coq Sportif, the 2002/03 Birmingham City home shirt featured the club's traditional royal-blue colourway with subtle darker-blue vertical stripes across the front. Contrasting navy panels appeared on the sleeves, complemented by white piping and a distinctive V-neck collar. The design incorporated the Birmingham City crest, Le Coq Sportif branding and the Phones 4u sponsor.
Worn by players including Savage, Morrison, Horsfield, Cunningham and Dugarry during Birmingham's first Premier League campaign, the shirt became associated with the club's successful return to the top flight and memorable derby victories against Aston Villa. Its traditional colours and distinctive early-2000s styling make it a recognisable example of Birmingham City's Le Coq Sportif era.
PIT TO PIT - 60cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 73cm
Unsure about sizing? View our Size Guide to compare measurements across eras.
Condition
Each item is individually inspected and graded by our team to ensure an accurate representation of its condition.
Every item at The Soccer Archive is individually assessed and graded on our condition scale out of 10. This rating takes into account the overall quality of the fabric, print, badges and any natural signs of wear that come with age.
Most pieces we sell are vintage or pre-owned, meaning small signs of age can be part of their character.
Our condition guide
10/10 - Brand New with Tags
Outstanding condition with no noticeable flaws. Tags may or may not be present, but the item shows little to no sign of wear.
9/10 - Mint
Very strong vintage condition. May show the lightest signs of storage or previous wear, but nothing that distracts from the item overall.
8/10 - Excellent
A well-kept piece with minor signs of age or use. This could include light bobbling, slight fading or very small marks, but it still presents really well.
7/10 - Very Good
Noticeable wear consistent with age. This may include moderate fading, small pulls, bobbling, minor cracking to print or a small mark.
6/10 and below - Good with Noticeable Signs of Wear
More obvious signs of wear or ageing. This might include heavier fading, marks, pulls, print wear or repairs.
Any notable flaws will always be highlighted in the product description and imagery.
Product Care
Vintage sportswear requires a little extra care to help preserve fabric, colour and printed details.
Following the steps below will help protect sponsor logos, badges, namesets and delicate materials.
Washing
- Hand wash where possible. For delicate or older items, hand wash only
- If machine washing, use a cold wash on a gentle cycle
- Wash inside out
- Wash with similar colours
- Use mild detergent only
- Do not bleach
- Avoid fabric softener
Drying
- Air dry naturally
- Hang or dry flat in a well-ventilated space
- Avoid direct heat from radiators and strong sunlight where possible
- Do not tumble dry
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep away from damp environments or direct sunlight
- For long-term storage, fold carefully to avoid stressing prints and badges
- If hanging, use a wide/padded hanger to help maintain shape
Protecting prints, badges and sponsor logos
- Do not iron directly over prints, namesets, patches or sponsor logos
- Avoid excessive heat, as this can damage vinyl, flock and older materials
- Take extra care with vintage shirts that have original printing or delicate embellishments
Vintage pieces often feature delicate materials and original printing, so gentle care will always give the best results.
Want to learn more about caring for your collection? Read our How to Care for Vintage Football Shirts: The Complete Guide.
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