After the recent launch of SPZL FC series, curator Gary Aspden presents the following collection, a three-shoe pack exclusive to each Football Club's (FC) shop. With the involvement of three adidas club partners, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Aberdeen, the Lotherton SPZL has been reworked and renamed under each club moniker respectively, in what is a seismic shift from the roots of adidas Spezial.
With each pair clinging to nostalgic moments precious to each fanbase, the attempt to stay culturally relevant in an ever-changing marketplace is apparent, and it is a game plan that might succeed. Set to launch alongside dual-branded apparel, the decision not to directly range these products from adidas speaks volumes. At the same time, for the core fan of Spezial, it will undoubtedly make them harder to procure, and something about a release being hard to cop can do wonders for its public perception.
All set to launch on the same day, Gary Aspden took to his Instagram account to unveil the Aberdeen SPZL FC. The palette was inspired by an image of legendary soccer manager Sir Alex Ferguson holding the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983, wearing an adidas jacket daubed in red and dark blue, matching the colors of the sneaker. Even the white piping on the jacket is noted by the contrast stitching on the Three Stripes branding and back heel tab. A gum-coloured rubber outsole is encased by textured black foxing.
Next was the Leeds SPZL FC, with a tumbled leather upper finished in chalk white to represent the home shirts of the famous West Yorkshire club that currently resides in the second division of the English pyramid. A small flash of blue and yellow is seen locking the lace set, with the adidas blue woven tongue tag breaking up the aesthetic. The textured foxing has been yellowed and blends seamlessly with the gum-colored rubber outsole underfoot.
Finally, the Forest SPZL FC has a green suede base with off-white leather hits on the back heel tab, Three Stripes branding on the sides, and the liner. This colorway is inspired by another legendary British soccer manager, Brian Clough, who took Nottingham Forest to European glory twice while winning the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. He was regularly seen patrolling the touchline while wearing a green sweater over a white polo shirt, in a look that became iconic to soccer fans. Dark Brown textured foxing wraps around a gum-colored rubber outsole with herringbone-style tooling.
All three pairs come with a club-branded leather hang tag and additional insoles, each bearing club insignia.
The adidas SPZL FC Pack is set to release on October 25, 2024. Each pair will be available exclusively via their club shop (Aberdeen, Leeds, Forest) in-store and online. Coming in men's sizing, retail is TBD. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via gary_watsongraphicdesign
Leeds United FC x adidas Lotherton SPZL
Nottingham Forest FC x adidas Lotherton SPZL
Aberdeen FC x adidas Lotherton SPZL
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Craig Bell happily talks about sneakers or as he calls them "trainers" every day of the year. An avid Bradford City fan, he's also a big supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will forever profess that Cricket is better than Baseball and that Rugby League is better then Rugby Union. Among his many hot takes, he believes the adidas ZX range is the pinnacle of sneaker design.
