Great Tracksuits of Our Time: No.12

Wales (1976):

It's May 1976, the United Kingdom is just weeks away from its hottest summer since records began and the Welsh national football team are battling for a place in the semi-finals of the European Championships. These are bizarre, surreal days.

Despite being 2-0 down from the first leg, Wales were determined to beat Yugoslavia at Ninian Park to reach the finals in... Yugoslavia, of all places. The task was tough, but their preparations were nothing short of perfect due to the tracksuits they were wearing for the big occasion.

Made by Admiral (like most top tracksuits were), this was a red top with a drawstring hood, striped cuffs and waistband plus a big old Admiral logo to balance the fine Welsh badge across the chest.

But in an homage to our first ever 'Great Tracksuit', the detail that really topped off this smart piece of apparel was that most essential thing - a team name writ in large letters across the back. Nothing says "We're so much better than you" more than having your team name written in an unavoidably big typeface on your tracksuit, and this one illustrates that point perfectly.

Sadly this piece of visual bravado was all in vein. Wales battled their way to a 1-1 draw, losing the tie 3-1 on aggregate, but where fashion was concerned, there really was only one winner worth shouting about on the day.

If you liked this tracksuit, you might be interested in all the others in our series so far:

• No.11: Borussia Mönchengladbach (circa 1976)
• No.10: England (1986)
• No.9: Argentina (1978)
• No.8: Derby County (1978)
• No.7: Coventry City (1978)
• No.6: Brighton & Hove Albion (1983)
• No.5: Arsenal (1989)
• No.4: John Bond special
• No.3: Leeds United (1974)
• No.2: Liverpool (1977)
• No.1: Slovan Bratislava (1976)