Retro Levante Shirts – Los Granotas Through the Ages

Levante Unión Deportiva was founded on 16 October 1909, making them one of the older clubs in Spanish football. For much of the 20th century, the club existed as a second-tier side at best, navigating the labyrinthine structure of Spanish regional and national football, occasionally glimpsing the top flight before being pulled back down. Their first extended spell in the top division came in the 1960s, where they held their own against the powerhouses of the era, but stability proved elusive and relegation followed.

The club's modern era truly began in the 2000s and into the 2010s, when sustained investment and shrewd recruitment brought Levante back to La Liga and kept them there. The 2011–12 season stands as a landmark moment in the club's history – they qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the first time ever, a stunning achievement for a club of their size and budget. It was a season that captured the imagination of neutral fans across Spain, a genuine fairy tale in a league often dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid.

During their La Liga years, Levante developed a reputation for spirited, organised football and the ability to produce stunning results against the elite. They famously defeated Barcelona, held Real Madrid, and regularly outperformed expectations in European competition. Their Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, though modest by top-flight standards, became a fortress where bigger clubs came to suffer.

Rivalry with Valencia CF – the so-called Derby de la Comunitat or Derby Valenciano – gives Levante fans some of their most cherished memories. As the smaller club in the city, every point or victory against their neighbours carries extra weight, and over the years Levante have delivered some memorable derby upsets.

In recent seasons the club has battled relegation and returned to La Liga 2, but their fanbase remains devoted, and the club's identity – built on community, resilience, and Valencian pride – remains stronger than ever.

Levante's history is populated with a cast of hardworking professionals and occasional standout talents who gave everything for the Granota cause. In their golden La Liga era of the early 2010s, several players became genuine fan favourites.

Joaquín Caparrós shaped the team during a critical period as manager, instilling a disciplined and competitive style that helped them reach Europe. On the pitch, players like David Navarro marshalled the defence with authority, while Rubén García became a symbol of the modern Levante era – a tireless, technically gifted midfielder who embodied the club's never-say-die spirit. The Uruguayan striker Juanlu also endeared himself to fans with important goals in key moments.

Morales, known as El Comandante, is perhaps the most beloved modern Levante player – a wiry, energetic forward whose loyalty to the club and incredible work rate made him a cult hero. His long-serving commitment to Los Granotas, even as they dropped down divisions, cemented his legend.

In earlier eras, players like Miguel Tendillo represented the club with distinction before moving on to greater stages, while goalkeeper Fernández was a reliable presence across multiple generations. Managers have generally favoured organisation and collective effort over individual flair, which speaks to the club's identity – Levante at their best are greater than the sum of their parts, a side built on team spirit and Valencian stubbornness.

The Levante retro shirt holds a special place in the hearts of collectors who appreciate kits that tell a story of struggle and determination. The traditional blue and red stripes – either vertical or in varying designs depending on the era – have remained the club's identity throughout their history, a distinctive look that immediately sets them apart in any collection.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Levante kits featured the bold, oversized graphics typical of that era, with local and regional sponsors reflecting the club's deep roots in the Valencian community. These shirts, often made by smaller Spanish kit manufacturers, are now genuinely rare finds for collectors.

The Europa League-era kits from 2011–12 are among the most coveted – wearing that shirt represents Levante's greatest ever achievement. The design was clean and classic, featuring the traditional stripes with modern tailoring. A retro Levante shirt from this period is a tangible piece of Spanish football's great underdog story.

Earlier decades produced some wonderfully simple designs – plain stripes, minimal branding, and the honest aesthetic of a club that never had money to splash on flashy kits. These older shirts are especially treasured by purists.