The Revival of Dutch Kit Maker Robey
Nov 19, 2024, by Chris
- Foundation and Legacy: Robey was founded in 1947 in Rotterdam and was a major sportswear brand in the Netherlands until the 1980s, known for quality in football, tennis, and volleyball.
- Revival and Customization: After a period of absence, Robey was revived in 2012 and now focuses on offering 100% bespoke custom kits to both professional and amateur clubs.
- Market Presence and Expansion: Robey is a leading kit supplier in the Dutch top divisions and has recently expanded into Germany, with ambitions to grow further internationally.
Adidas currently dominates the football kit market, having and going to sign major clubs and releasing a series of popular Trefoil and anniversary kits. However, the three stripes do not dominate the scene everywhere. In this context, we turn our attention to Robey, a small Dutch brand that is making significant strides in the Dutch football kit market and soon, maybe, outside.
1947: Foundation in Rotterdam & Famous Dutch Sportswear Brand Until the 1980s
Robey was founded in 1947 by Pieter Bey in Rotterdam - the name derives from "Ro" and "Bey," the initial letters of Rotterdam and the surname of Pieter Bey.
Robey's current logo consists of a stylized R with the Robey text underneath. The brand's symbol, the clover, is featured small on every one of Robey's kits. The clover stands for the touch of luck every footballer needs, but also for the feeling of happiness that you experience when you can play football with your teammates.
With globalization an unknown term back then, Robey quickly grew from a small operation into one of the Netherlands’ most iconic sportswear brands. The brand was worn by legendary players like Ronald Koeman, Danny Blind, and even the Dutch national team, even though without a visible Robey logo, as usual back then. Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Robey, in the Netherlands, was synonymous with quality sportswear across football, tennis, and volleyball.
Robey is the leading kit maker in the Dutch top divisions
However, since the mid-1980s, Robey has disappeared from the landscape more and more - the brand did not supply any popular football team from 1989 until the early 2010s.
Robey got people talking with its Eel Kit for Eredivisie club Volendam last season
2012: Comeback and New Direction as Custom Kit Experts for Every Club
After years of fading presence, a group of sports-loving Rotterdammers revived the brand in 2012. Robey returned to pro football by signing with the local pro football club Sparta Rotterdam. Marking this resurgence, FC Groningen’s 2015 KNVB Cup victory was celebrated as the first major trophy win for a team donning Robey gear.
2nd, third, and 4th images via Bolzplatzlegenden, Robey's partner in Germany
What is possibly most interesting for many is Robey's approach to amateur clubs - Robey calls himself the "King of Custom." Why? With its program Robey Custom Made, Robey offers every team 100% bespoke kits, including EVERY element of the kit. The minimum to get a custom kit is just 21 pieces. The shirt will be designed in cooperation with Robey's designers.
A match kit is much more than a shirt. Your club colors are unique, so regardless of your level, they deserve a unique treatment as well. That is why, at Robey, custom really means custom. From the Sunday Leagues to the Eredivisie, our design team is raring to go and create custom matchday kits for clubs at every level. From badges and collars to cuffs, patterns, and slogans: the options are endless.
Today, 11 pro clubs and over 300 amateur teams wear Robey kits. Robey leads the kit battle both in the Dutch 1st and 2nd divisions, equipping five teams in each.
In 2024, Robey expanded beyond the Netherlands by signing with German club Fortuna Köln. Rotterdam, being a partner city of Köln, may have facilitated the deal.
Robey 2024-25 Kits
Robey equips each of its teams with 100% bespoke kits, and many designs have received top ratings on the Football Kit Archive. But not just that - the brand also creates custom training and pre-match gear for its clubs.
Footy Headlines has heard that the brand aims to sign more teams outside the Netherlands but has no concrete information on whether the brand is close to agreeing on a deal with a famous non-Dutch club.
Check out the complete Robey football kit history on Football Kit Archive
Do you think small brands like Robey will continue to expand by offering smaller teams custom kits? Let us know in the comments below.
Calcio Lecco 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian Serie C club Calcio Lecco 1912 and technical sponsor Acerbis have officially unveiled the club's new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Both designs place a heavy emphasis on local pride, drawing direct inspiration from the landscapes of Lake Como and the surrounding Lecco territory.
The Acerbis Calcio Lecco 26-27 home shirt stays true to tradition with the iconic bluceleste vertical stripes in light blue and navy, layered with subtle wave-like textures across the dark stripes. Navy shorts and socks complete the primary strip. Meanwhile, the 26-27 away jersey presents a clean white base paired with a classic polo collar and sky blue shoulder trim. The lower half of the away shirt showcases a striking line-art graphic illustrating the Grigna and Grignetta mountain profiles together with Lecco's landmark "Matitone" bell tower from the Basilica of San Nicolò.
Cantine Pirovano features prominently on the front of both jerseys, marking their 16th consecutive season as the club's main sponsor. Complementing the outfield shirts, Acerbis has also introduced vibrant green and yellow goalkeeper kits for the 26-27 campaign.
Calcio Foggia 1920 26-27 Away Kit Released
Italian Serie C club Calcio Foggia 1920 has officially revealed its new away kit for the 2026-27 season. Produced by Nike Teamwear, the shirt follows the recent unveiling of the club's fluorescent yellow third kit after parting ways with Givova.
The Nike Calcio Foggia 26-27 away jersey is based on a clean white base, accented with the club's signature rossoneri colors along the top of the shoulders and sleeves. Running vertically down the center of the chest is an intricate graphic formed by the names of iconic city landmarks, including the Teatro Giordano, Arco di Federico II, and Fontana del Sele.
A poignant tribute is placed inside the inner collar, featuring the names Gaetano, Michele, Samuel, and Samuele in memory of the four young supporters who tragically lost their lives in 2024. The upper back is finished with the motto "IO SONO FOGGIA", accompanied by the circular Satanelli badge on the chest, a black Nike Swoosh, and multiple sponsor logos across the front, sleeve, and lower back.
No More Tiglon: Azuro US Monastir 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Tunisian Ligue 1 side US Monastir has officially revealed its new home and away shirts for the 2026-27 season. The launch marks the club's first collection under new kit supplier Azuro, which takes over from Tiglon.
The US Monastir 26-27 home kit delivers a strong blue-and-white look, featuring a white base with a prominent central vertical stripe in vibrant blue, matched by blue panels across the shoulders and sleeves. Elegant gold trim along the collar and sleeve cuffs rounds off the design. In contrast, the 26-27 away jersey adopts a more understated, modern palette of black and anthracite, highlighted by a dark tonal center stripe and crisp white piping on the collar and sleeves.
Photographed across Monastir's historic landmarks and coastal scenery, both shirts feature the club crest on the chest alongside monochrome sponsor applications on the front.
US Lusitanos Saint-Maur 26-27 60th Anniversary Home & Away Kits Released
French Championnat National club US Lusitanos Saint-Maur and kit supplier Skita have officially unveiled the club's new home and away kits for the 2026-27 season. The launch marks the 60th anniversary of the club, which was founded in 1966 by Portuguese immigrants in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés.
Both shirts directly take inspiration from an iconic vintage design from the club's past. The home shirt comes in traditional green, while the away shirt is white. Each jersey features an eye-catching red and green geometric brick graphic across the upper chest and shoulders, paired with a classic white polo collar highlighted by green and red trim.
To mark the milestone, the upper back of the shirts displays the Portuguese and French flags alongside the commemorative text '1966-2026 SOMOS A HISTORIA'. The home kit is completed with white shorts and red socks, while the away strip features green shorts and white socks.
Tampines Rovers 26-27 Home Kit Released
Singapore Premier League side Tampines Rovers have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season. Manufactured once again by Thai sportswear brand Warrix, the new jersey marks the continuation of their successful partnership and was launched under the club's NXTGEN campaign.
The Warrix Tampines Rovers 2026-27 home shirt features the club's traditional yellow base, accented by a subtle two-tone split front panel and black detailing. The V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, and shoulder inserts all receive contrasting black trims. Centrally placed on the chest are the black Warrix logo and the iconic Stags crest, positioned above the FBMG front-of-shirt sponsor.
Universidad Católica 2026 Special Kit Released
Chilean club Universidad Católica and technical sponsor Puma have officially unveiled a special kit for the 2026 campaign. Promoted under the slogan "Nueva Armadura" (New Armor), the bespoke strip draws direct inspiration from the team's historical identity and famous nickname, "Los Cruzados" (The Crusaders).
The Puma Universidad Católica 2026 special shirt combines a dark grey and black base with a detailed, repeating chevron scale pattern across the front and back, mimicking medieval chainmail and battle plate armor. A solid black horizontal band across the chest accommodates the white BICE sponsor logo, complemented by solid black raglan sleeves and a matching crew-neck collar. Monochromatic white accents are used for the Puma cat logos and the simplified UC crest.
To complete the battle-ready aesthetic, the jersey is paired with black shorts and black socks adorned with crusader cross detailing. The special edition kit went on sale through the club's official channels ahead of its scheduled debut on the pitch.
Al Fayha FC 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Saudi Pro League side Al Fayha FC have officially unveiled their new home, away, and third kits for the 26-27 season, made once again by in-house and domestic partner HH Sport. The new collection brings a cohesive look across the board, led by the traditional vibrant orange on the home shirt paired with intricate navy sleeve cuff patterning and subtle tonal detailing on the fabric.
The Al Fayha 26-27 away kit opts for a clean white base highlighted by bold orange side panels, sleeve trims, and monochromatic logos. Completing the player lineup, the third kit arrives in a deep blue tone accented with sky blue trims on the collar and cuffs, while three distinct goalkeeper uniforms were also unveiled in black, sky blue, and vibrant yellow.
The new Al Fayha 26-27 kits are now available through the club's official online store.
FC Penafiel 26-27 Third Kit Released
Portuguese Liga Portugal 2 side FC Penafiel has officially unveiled its new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Made by Nike, the shirt was showcased during the Agrival 2026 event in Penafiel, joining the previously launched red-and-black home and white away strips.
The Nike FC Penafiel 2026-27 third jersey is predominantly black, highlighted by fine vertical red pinstripes running down the front. Red trim details the neckline, maintaining the club's classic Rubro-Negro aesthetic. A standout element is the retro-styled interlocking 'FCP' monogram on the left chest, placed alongside a special 75th-anniversary emblem celebrating the club's founding in 1951.
White detailing completes the look, with the Nike Swoosh on the right chest and the ABANCA main sponsor printed cleanly across the center.