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What Happened When Gabor Kiraly Didn't Wear His Tracksuit Bottoms In 2005

What Happened When Gabor Kiraly Didn't Wear His Tracksuit Bottoms In 2005

Did he forget to pack his trackies? Did he not have time to pop to Sport Direct and buy a new pair?

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

In 698 appearances and counting, former Premier League goalkeeper and creature of habit Gabor Kiraly has played ALMOST every game of his career wearing those famous grey tracksuit bottoms.

Kiraly himself admitted that it was down to superstition.



It began during his early days at hometown club Szombathelyi Haladás in Hungary and because these wonderful trackies brought him luck, he continued to stand out from the rest.

"It started 20 years ago these grey bottoms, it began in Hungary and it brought me luck and then I take to (Hertha) Berlin and it brings luck as well as we were in the Champions League. After that I take it to London, to Crystal Palace." Kiraly told the BBC.

Image: PA
Image: PA

After Kiraly's team went eight games unbeaten when he sported the grey tracksuit bottom look, he was convinced that his good luck charm:

"I want to be confident in the game. You cannot just put grey bottoms on in goal (to play well), you have to move your bottom. I want to work and I can only do this in these grey bottoms. In the beginning they were black, the kitman didn't wash them on the Friday and on Saturday we had a game. I had no other bottoms and I take the grey ones and that was the start of the luck.

"I play 20 years in these bottoms for Hungary and I don't think I'll be changing."

Image: PA
Image: PA

In 2005 though, whilst playing for Crystal Palace against Premiership winners Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Hungarian shot-stopper decided to wear shorts for the first time in his professional career.

Did he forget to pack his trackies? Did he not have time to pop to Sport Direct and buy a new pair?

In perhaps one of the worst games of his career to date, Kiraly 'did a Massimo Taibi' and let a shot go through his hands. Crystal Palace lost 4-1 and he never wore shorts again.

11 years later, Kiraly was a huge hit at the European Championships two years ago when he sported the classic pair of trackies and at the age of 41, the former Fulham and Burnley man is still repping them for Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladás VSE.

You can even buy a pair on his official website so if you fancy impressing your mates at five-a-side next week, go on and grab yourself these magic pants.

Thank you Gabor, for inspiring the infamous grey tracksuit bottom craze.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Fulham, Crystal Palace