Retro Heracles Shirt – Black & White Almelo Pride

Heracles Almelo's story stretches back to 1903, when the club was established in Almelo, a city whose fortunes were historically tied to the textile industry. Like many provincial Dutch clubs, Heracles spent their early decades building a local following and competing in regional competition before the professional era reshaped Dutch football entirely.

The introduction of the Eredivisie in 1956 brought new challenges and new ambitions. Heracles have experienced the full spectrum of Dutch football's promotional system – rising to the Eredivisie, battling relegation, dropping to the Eerste Divisie, and climbing back up again with renewed determination. This yo-yo narrative is not a story of failure; it is a testament to the club's resilience and the loyalty of a fanbase that never abandons ship.

The 2000s and 2010s marked arguably the most consistent and exciting period in Heracles history. Under a series of committed coaches, the club established themselves as genuine Eredivisie regulars, finishing in respectable mid-table positions and occasionally threatening the European places. The Polman Stadion – an intimate, atmospheric ground – became a fortress where top-flight opponents were regularly made to feel uncomfortable.

Derby matches against FC Twente, just a short distance away in Enschede, are among the most passionately contested fixtures in the eastern Netherlands. The rivalry carries the weight of regional identity – two clubs from the same corner of the country, separated by twenty kilometres and a fierce sense of local pride. These Twente derbies have produced memorable moments of drama, last-minute winners, and controversial decisions that fans debate for years.

Heracles have also produced and developed talented Dutch players who went on to bigger stages, serving as a respected academy and development club. Their model of smart recruitment and player development has kept them competitive despite limited financial resources, earning genuine respect across Dutch football.

Over the decades, Heracles Almelo have been home to a number of players who left lasting impressions on the club and on Dutch football more broadly. The club has had a knack for identifying and nurturing talent, turning relatively modest transfer budgets into dynamic, watchable teams.

Cyriel Dessers emerged as one of the most exciting strikers to represent the club in recent memory, his powerful running and clinical finishing making him a fan favourite before he moved on to bigger challenges in European football. His departure felt like the classic tale of a provincial club developing a gem only to see him shine elsewhere – bittersweet, but proof of the club's scouting quality.

Brandley Kuwas was another player who captured the imagination of Eredivisie supporters during his time at Almelo, his pace and directness making him a handful for any defence. Midfielders and defenders have consistently punched above their weight in Heracles colours, embodying the organised, hard-working style that has defined the club.

From a managerial perspective, John Stegeman is perhaps the most significant figure of the modern era, steering the club through a sustained Eredivisie period and instilling a clear footballing identity. His tenure demonstrated that Heracles could compete consistently at the top level of Dutch football without the financial firepower of the Amsterdam or Rotterdam clubs.

The club's connection to its community means many of its most beloved figures are homegrown – players who came through the local system and understood what wearing the black and white stripes truly meant to the city of Almelo.

The Heracles Almelo kit is immediately recognisable for its bold black and white vertical stripes – a classic design that has remained remarkably consistent throughout the club's history, giving their retro shirts a timeless quality that collectors appreciate. Unlike clubs that have dramatically reinvented their visual identity over the decades, Heracles have largely remained faithful to their founding colours, which means vintage kits feel connected to the modern club in a satisfying way.

Earlier decades saw heavier cotton fabrics and simpler collar designs – the round neck and V-neck iterations of the 1970s and 1980s have a wonderful period authenticity. As sportswear technology evolved through the 1990s, Heracles kits adopted the looser, synthetic cuts fashionable across European football, while maintaining the essential black and white stripe identity.

Sponsorship graphics arrived on Dutch club shirts during the 1980s and evolved significantly through the 1990s and 2000s, with local Almelo businesses and regional sponsors featuring prominently. These sponsor details serve as fascinating time capsules of the local economy and commercial culture around the club.

The retro Heracles shirt appeals to collectors drawn to honest, provincial Dutch football aesthetics – no overdesigned templates, no garish colour experiments, just a clean and proud striped tradition. Our shop currently carries 4 editions spanning different chapters of the club's Eredivisie history.