Retro Clermont Shirts – The Story of Clermont Foot 63

Clermont Foot 63 was founded in 1990 following the merger of AS Montferrandaise and Stade Clermontois, two local clubs whose roots stretched back decades into Clermont-Ferrand's sporting heritage. The number 63 in the club's name represents the Puy-de-Dôme department, anchoring the identity firmly in Auvergne soil. The early years were spent grinding through the lower divisions of French football, with promotion to the second tier eventually arriving and providing the stage for the club's gradual climb. For most of the 2000s and 2010s, Clermont were Ligue 2 stalwarts – competitive, occasionally flirting with the play-off positions, but never quite breaking through the glass ceiling that separates France's professional elite from the rest. The breakthrough finally came under Pascal Gastien, the manager who would become a club legend. The 2020-21 season was nothing short of historic, as Clermont finished second in Ligue 2 and earned promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time in their history. Their inaugural top-flight campaign defied expectations, with the club punching well above its weight against giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon. Memorable matches at the Stade Gabriel Montpied included spirited performances against the biggest names in French football, with the loyal Auvergnat support providing an atmosphere that often surprised visiting sides. While relegation eventually followed, the Ligue 1 chapter cemented Clermont's place in French footballing folklore as a club that genuinely lived the dream.

The story of Clermont's rise is inseparable from the players and coaches who built the foundations. Pascal Gastien stands as the towering figure of the modern era – the manager who took over a struggling Ligue 2 outfit and methodically transformed them into a top-flight side, instilling a possession-based philosophy that earned admiration far beyond the club's modest budget. His patient, principled approach made him one of the most respected tacticians outside the elite tier of French football. On the pitch, Mohamed Bayo emerged as the breakout star of the promotion campaign, banging in goals at a remarkable rate during the 2020-21 Ligue 2 season and becoming the symbol of Clermont's attacking ambition before earning a move to Lille. Jim Allevinah brought pace and trickery on the wing throughout the rise to Ligue 1 and became a fan favourite with his direct dribbling style. Goalkeeper Arthur Desmas and the dependable defensive partnership at the back provided the platform for promotion. In the Ligue 1 era, Komnen Andrić, Maxime Gonalons and Muhammed Cham added experience and quality, while loan signings from bigger clubs gave young talents a stage to shine. The club's identity has always been built around development, hard work and tactical discipline rather than star names – a refreshing reminder of football's collective spirit.

Clermont's shirts have always been instantly recognisable thanks to the bold blue and red combination that mirrors the club's crest and Auvergnat identity. Early kits in the 1990s featured the simple, traditional templates of the era – classic collared designs in deep blue with red trim, often produced by smaller technical brands typical of Ligue 2 outfits at the time. Through the 2000s, the shirts evolved with sleeker fits and more contemporary striping, while the badge underwent subtle refinements that traced the club's growing ambition. The 2020-21 promotion shirt is arguably the most iconic of all, worn during the historic season that delivered Ligue 1 football for the first time. Inaugural top-flight kits from 2021-22 are particularly prized by collectors, representing the very first time Clermont's colours appeared on a Ligue 1 stage. Sponsor changes through the years – including local Auvergnat businesses and regional partners – give different seasons distinct character. For collectors, anything from the promotion campaign onwards carries genuine historical weight, while older Ligue 2 jerseys offer rarity for those who love hunting down the obscure.