Images for this shirt have been carefully researched from genuine sources including greatestkits.co.uk.
2000–01 Metz Away Shirt Authentication Guide
The 2000–01 FC Metz away shirt is a unique piece from a challenging season for the French side. Designed by Kappa, it combines sleek aesthetics with that early-2000s tight-fitting football shirt feel. This authentication guide will help collectors verify the shirt’s authenticity by outlining its key identifiers and features.
Shirt Overview
- Team: FC Metz
- Season: 2000–01
- Type: Away Shirt
- Manufacturer: Kappa
- Sponsor: Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux
- Competition Use: Ligue 1 (then Division 1), Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue
- Shirt Lifespan: Summer 2000 – Spring 2001
- Notable Debut Match: Early Ligue 1 away fixture in 2000
Design Details
- Primary Color: White base with claret detailing
- Collar: Simple V-neck with claret trim
- Sleeves: Claret piping along the shoulders and sleeve cuffs
- Manufacturer Logo: Kappa logo stitched in claret on both shoulders and chest
- Club Crest: Fully embroidered FC Metz Lorraine Cross crest on the left chest
- Sponsor: “Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux” logo printed in black across the chest
- Material: Tight-fitting lycra blend typical of Kappa’s early 2000s designs
- Back: White with space for number printing, no design elements carried over
Variants and Notes
- Player Issue Version:
- Body-hugging lycra fit
- Heat-applied number sets
- Reinforced stitching and inner care labels specific to pro use
- Replica Version:
- Looser cut
- Fully stitched logos and sponsor print
- Goalkeeper Variant: Different colorway (usually grey or black), different cut
- Fake Warning Signs:
- Incorrect logo spacing or poor-quality sponsor printing
- Inconsistent stitching around sleeves and collar
- Kappa logos missing from shoulder area
- Lack of elasticity in material (player shirts were stretch-fitted)
Player Info
| Player | Appearances (All Competitions) |
|---|---|
| Frédéric Meyrieu | 31 |
| Jocelyn Blanchard | 32 |
| Franck Signorino | 30 |
| Cédric Lécluse | 34 |
| Bruno Rodriguez | 28 |
| Christophe Bastien | 25 |
Season Summary
The 2000–01 season was a difficult one for FC Metz, as they fought to maintain their Ligue 1 status. Despite a spirited effort and a few standout performances from veterans like Meyrieu and Rodriguez, the team finished in the bottom three, resulting in relegation to Ligue 2.
Still, the season saw a number of emerging players and some competitive fixtures. The away shirt from this campaign is notable for its minimalist but sharp Kappa styling and its representation of a transitional period in Metz’s history.
