Retro Como Shirt – Football from the Shores of Lake Como

Como Foot-Ball Club was founded on 25 May 1907, making it one of the older clubs in Italian football. The early decades saw the Lariani establish themselves as a respectable provincial side, bouncing between regional leagues and the national divisions as Italian football slowly professionalised. Their first taste of Serie A came in 1949, beginning a long pattern of promotion and relegation that would define the club's identity throughout the 20th century. The 1980s represented a genuine golden era for Como. Under the guidance of inspirational coaches and with shrewd recruitment, the club enjoyed an unprecedented stretch in Serie A from 1980 to 1989, finishing as high as eighth in the top flight. This was Como's moment in the sun, when fixtures against Juventus, Milan, Inter and Roma became regular events at the Sinigaglia. The cathedral of calcio came to the lake. Memorable victories over Italy's giants during this period are still talked about with reverence by older supporters. Following relegation in 1989, the club embarked on decades of struggle, including financial collapse, bankruptcy in 2005 and a painful drop to amateur football. The club had to rebuild from Serie D, working their way painstakingly back up the pyramid. Salvation came in 2019 when the Hartono brothers, Indonesian billionaires, acquired the club and began investing seriously. Their patient project culminated in promotion back to Serie A in 2024 after a 21-year absence – a triumphant return that reignited international interest in this most charming of Italian clubs. The fierce derby with Lecco, the other Lake Como side, remains one of the most heated provincial rivalries in northern Italy.

Como's history is studded with players who left lasting impressions despite the club's modest stature. Stefano Borgonovo, the prolific striker who tragically passed from ALS, played for Como early in his career before becoming a Milan and Fiorentina legend. The club has long served as a launching pad for talent and a finishing school for veterans seeking one last adventure. The 1980s Serie A side featured stalwarts like Gianluca Zambrotta, who began his professional career at Como before going on to win the 2006 World Cup with Italy and starring for Juventus and Barcelona. The defender's emergence remains one of the proudest moments in the club's youth development history. Pietro Vierchowod, the rugged defender of Soviet origin, also passed through Como in his early career. Goalkeeping legend Stefano Tacconi spent time at the lakeside club, while Italian international Massimo Ferrigno wore the blue shirt with distinction. The modern era under the Hartono brothers has seen genuinely glamorous arrivals. Cesc Fàbregas, the Spanish midfield maestro, joined as player-coach before transitioning to managerial duties full-time. The Catalan brought continental sophistication to the bench. Raphaël Varane and Sergi Roberto added World Cup-winning pedigree to the squad, signalling Como's serious intentions. Dennis Wise's previous involvement and the appointment of high-profile management have transformed perceptions of the club. From provincial obscurity to a destination for established stars, Como's player history reflects the club's remarkable journey.

Como's traditional kit features a distinctive sky blue, often called celeste or azzurro, which beautifully echoes the colours of Lake Como itself on a clear day. This celestial hue has remained largely unchanged throughout the club's history, though specific shades and design details have evolved with the decades. The 1980s Serie A shirts are particularly cherished by collectors, featuring classic Italian design sensibilities with simple V-necks or polo collars and minimal sponsor branding in the early part of the decade. Manufacturers like Ennerre, NR and Adidas produced memorable kits during this golden era, often paired with white shorts and blue socks. The home shirts from the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons, when Como pulled off famous victories over Serie A giants, are considered grail items. The 1990s saw bolder geometric patterns, pinstripes and increasingly prominent shirt sponsors typical of that decade's Italian football aesthetic. After the 2005 collapse, shirts from the lower league era have a cult appeal among completists. Modern collectors are also gravitating toward kits from the recent promotion-winning campaigns. A Como retro shirt represents one of Italian football's most aesthetically pleasing colour traditions.