Independents — Conference & Team Guide

Not all replica shirts are built the same. The differences that actually matter are fabric weight, how the crest is applied, and whether the nameset is heat-pressed or sewn on.

We list all three for every Independents design. If a product page does not say, ask us — the answer is usually the reason one shirt costs more than another.

The single biggest killer of a Independents jersey is heat. Hot washes and tumble dryers break down the adhesive behind the crest and the nameset, which is why you see shirts with peeling letters after one season.

• Wash cold — 30 °C is plenty
• Inside out, always, to protect the print
• No fabric softener; it ruins the wicking finish
• Air dry flat or on a hanger

For a shirt with a nameset, wash it in a pillowcase. The small amount of friction it prevents is what keeps the letters attached.

The Independents home and away shirts exist for a practical reason: two teams cannot take the pitch in the same colour. The home shirt is the club's traditional colourway. The away shirt is whatever contrasts with it, which is why some seasons it is a striking design and other seasons it is deliberately plain.

If you are buying for a first-time fan, the home shirt is the safe choice. If you are buying for someone who already owns one, the third shirt is the one they probably do not have.