Changing fortunes with diamonds

With Marseille seemingly heading for their first French league title since 1992, it is good to know that they are doing so with a real sense of nostalgia. Their Pringle-pattern away shirt has been a real hit with fans, despite the fact its manmade fibres are not woolly. Diamonds may not be forever, or in this case for everyone, but this shirt will live even longer in the memory of fans if Marseille sit atop on Ligue 1. They are leading the championship with four matches left.

Before this campaign, the last time a Marseille away kit drew such attention was at Auxerre in Sept 2007, although it was the colour, rather than the pattern, that was the problem. The referee decided that Marseille's home and away kits were too similar to Auxerre's blue and white kit, and Marseille had left their other alternative strip, an orange number, at home. So Marseille ended up playing in Auxerre's away kit. They lost 2-0 and coach Albert Emon was sacked afterwards, although it's still unclear whether the kitman kept his job.

Eric Gerets replaced Emon the following week and has propelled Marseille up with Ligue 1 ever since. Gerets will leave the club at the end of the season, but, indirectly, one could argue is that, if Marseille win the league, it was the kit what won it. * Alex Kunawicz Readers who wish to contribute about their favourite teams, their colours or grounds can send them to sportsdesk@thenational.ae