The 1989-90 season was the first time that Crystal Palace wore red and blue striped home shirts in the top tier of English football.
When, in December of that season, the newly promoted Eagles hosted fellow London side Queens Park Rangers at Selhurst Park, both were in their home kits and there was no major issue as Palace had red shorts and socks and Rangers had white sets.
Given that QPR’s away was the classic ‘Dennis The Menace’ red and black hoops and the third – which would remain unused that season – was orange and black, blue and white was the logical choice.
For 1990-91, the Rs’ primary and secondary strips remained unchanged but there was a new third outfit.
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Still orange, it employed a pattern across the body and was debuted in the loss away to Chelsea in January of 1991.
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A month later, on February 16, Rangers made the trip to Selhurst and, oddly, it was decided that the orange kit was the best option. A 0-0 draw with a Palace side that would go on to finish third was its second and final outing.
For 1991-92, QPR had a Celtic-like green and white version of their home shirt as a third but, like its 1989-90 equivalent, it stayed in the kit-room for the season. Away at Palace, the home kit was worn with no issues.
Definitely a contender for “Change Is Bad”, though quite why QPR felt an orange third kit when they had a red and black away strip was beggars’ belief.
Not sure how the referee allowed this to go ahead either to be honest.