Claret and Amber

[andyss1886]

Guys, wee bit of light hearted trivia...
Had a good discussion/debate (over a few beers obviously) yesterday over where/when Motherwell adopted the famous claret and amber?
My take on it was we moved from blue and white and used the duke of Hamilton racing colours, while my buddy says we copied Bradford city...who were on the TV at the time and which prompted the debate
Seriously don't know the answer, although sure I have read that my suggestion is correct, but don't mind being wrong...as I am a lot. Be good to know.
Sure there are lads on here that will know this without a doubt.

[wellin]

I heard we copied Bradford's colours because they were successful at the time. Don't know how true that is though.

[dazlhigh]

Did I read somewhere that, when we hadn't the money to buy strips, Bradford gave us a set, hence claret and amber? If old cigarette cards are to be believed, our colours did at one time go up and down the way like Bradford's.

[bheron]

Did I read somewhere that, when we hadn't the money to buy strips, Bradford gave us a set, hence claret and amber? If old cigarette cards are to be believed, our colours did at one time go up and down the way like Bradford's.

Both of these have been suggested at different times. A book that I got over 20 years ago, stated the duke of Hamilton theory, but a more recent book put forward the Bradford theory. I have also read that Claret and Amber is NOT the duke of Hamilton's racing colours

[azza1886]

Hi I'm a regular reader but not so frequent poster.
The club adopted claret & amber in 1913 from the colours of Bradford who'd won the FA Cup two years before. It has been suggested they did indeed get the old strips - old pics show the same style as Bradford's.
There was an oral tradition among Well fans that they were the racing set of Lord Hamilton of Dalzell (not the Duke across the Clyde). Lord Hamilton was a Patron of the club and Fir Park was originally part of his estate.His colours however have always been the traditional red & white - from the Hamilton coat of arms.
Where did Bradford get their colours? According to their history, when they started in 1903 they got the old shirts given them by (nearby?)Manningham Rugby Club!

[bheron]

Hi I'm a regular reader but not so frequent poster.
The club adopted claret & amber in 1913 from the colours of Bradford who'd won the FA Cup two years before. It has been suggested they did indeed get the old strips - old pics show the same style as Bradford's.
There was an oral tradition among Well fans that they were the racing set of Lord Hamilton of Dalzell (not the Duke across the Clyde). Lord Hamilton was a Patron of the club and Fir Park was originally part of his estate.His colours however have always been the traditional red & white - from the Hamilton coat of arms.
Where did Bradford get their colours? According to their history, when they started in 1903 they got the old shirts given them by (nearby?)Manningham Rugby Club!

Welcome to the board, and thanks for the Superb answer. Let's hope that now you have posted, we will be hearing more from you

[Scavenger]

congratulations on your first post azza
I've always been proud of our colours we are
the only senior (of 42) team to wear claret and amber. :-

[andyss1886]

Some fantastic posts lads, appreciate the replys.
Cheers

[sieb1886]

Hey azza - anyone giving such an articulate answer as you gave on this post is welcome. Just be aware though that reason and open-mindedness won't always come back at you

[azza1886]

Thanks for the supportive comments - I will treasure them!
It's good to take the mind off our fight for points, if only for a wee while.