MEYBA x Tamila - How Barcelona's iconic kit designer & a South Indian curry house are uniting British football culture

There is a legacy to MEYBA that is unique from other kit designers. They were the first external suppliers to Barcelona, a deal that lasted a decade from 1982 to 1992, with the likes of Diego Maradona and Pep Guardiola having a chance to play in those kits as part of the ‘Dream Team’.

In their final game donning MEYBA shirts, Barca, managed by the great Johan Cruyff, lifted their first-ever European Cup at the old Wembley Stadium, with Ronald Koeman’s strike seeing off Sampdoria. The orange adorned by the Blaugrana that night still lives long in the memory and has become an alternate colour for the club in the years since.

MEYBA were a powerhouse in Spanish and Portuguese football. However, as an independent brand, they couldn’t quite compete with the new money being thrown about in the football world, ultimately entering receivership in 1994 and closing three years later.

Now, they’re making a comeback. Under the control of Premium Inc., who are also behind the Cruyff brand, they have launched a careful reboot. That started with partnerships in the United States, and this has been followed with ventures in Spain and back in England, as well as with the Guyana national team, with various other deals lined up with clubs dotted all over the world. But it’s not only the professional game they’ve been diving into.

This isn’t MEYBA’s first venture into the wider world of football-shirt culture. In 2024, they launched two licensed collaborations with The Beatles, which in turn produced five different shirts honouring the legendary band, their four members and their most iconic albums.

Jonathan Jones, Head of Global Marketing for MEYBA, said of The Beatles release: "I was gifted Sgt Pepper's gate fold vinyl many years ago and was intrigued by the design, use of colours, the special touches and hidden extras that came with the record which made it something very special.

"We've taken that wonder, added our love of design and football heritage and delivered a truly unique MEYBA remix of this iconic album."

The Beatles are the glamour name of MEYBA’s recent releases, but they have also dipped their toes into the world of festivals and raves, notably Download and the iconic London underground club fabric.

Jones added: "At MEYBA we’ve always believed football culture doesn’t stop at the touchline - it lives in music, art, food, nightlife and fashion. That’s why collaborations with the likes of Defected, fabric, and other cultural pioneers have been so important to us. They’re not just about creating limited-edition shirts, they’re about capturing moments that resonate with communities and subcultures who live and breathe creativity.

"MEYBA were the trend-setters in the 80s and 90s, and today we’re proud to be setting the pace again. It’s no coincidence that you now see other sports brands stepping into this space – we’re driving that cultural conversation and proving that football shirts can be as much about identity and expression as they are about the game itself."

That brings us to MEYBA’s latest collection. They are now teaming up with Tamila, a South Indian curry house based in London. As the name suggests, it is a small group of Tamil restaurants with a menu that any culture or cuisine would be proud of.

Together, MEYBA and Tamila have produced a shirt which combines three worlds which aren’t so far apart - curry, beer and football. It’s hard not to notice the distinct orange-and-brown colour scheme which leaps off the canvas, symbolising their Tamil roots and their curry houses dotted around London. Close to the heart is a specially-designed ‘TFC’ crest, and on the back is the number 5 in Tamil, the Indian flag, and the name ‘Prince’, in a nod to one of the brains behind the chain and its success, Prince Durairaj.

All of these unique idiosyncrasies would have been enough to create a strip of cult status, but the Indian flag and classic collar really take this over the top. It looks the part both in its underlying meaning and face-value style.

Let’s rewind a minute. Football, and English football in particular, is built on tradition. It’s about passing down from generation to generation, love that is unconditional and makes no damn sense. For many matchgoers, football isn’t only about the football, but all the bells and whistles that come with it, including your routine on the day of the game.

The majority of supporters will meet up with friends and family, make an event out of an afternoon or evening. There will almost certainly be food and drink. Tamila, with their curry houses spaced out across central London, makes for the perfect stop on that itinerary, be it fans going to or from games, into the capital or on their way out of it.

Glen Leeson, co-founder of Tamila & The Tamil Prince, said: "People have been asking us for years about merch. But we didn’t want to do it just for the sake of it. When we started talking to the MEYBA team over a few beers and a biryani, it just clicked. Curry, pints and football. What else do you need?"

MEYBA are producing only a limited number of these shirts, which will go on sale at £50 from Wednesday August 27. You can get yours at www.tamilashop.com. Be sure to follow @MEYBAOFFICIAL and @Tamila­­_Curry on Instagram!