WHAT'S gold is new again for the Jets after the club unveiled a playing kit on Wednesday that evokes memories of Newcastle's glory days.
The Jets will wear a gold jerseys with blue shirts and socks this season, the same colours they sported in the A-league's 2005-06 foundation campaign, and also on their way to winning the 2007-08 championship.
Gold was abandoned as Newcastle's trademark colour by the club's controversial former owner, Nathan Tinkler, before the 2011-12 season.
Tinkler had also privatised the Newcastle Knights and felt there was a "synergy" in having both his teams clad in blue-and-red vertical stripes.
Gold has since been used occasionally, as one of Newcastle's alternate kits, and remains popular with long-serving fans.
It also sits well with veteran Jason Hoffman, the only player remaining from Newcastle's 2007-08 grand final triumph against Central Coast.
"For me, it's the colour of the club," Hoffman said.
"It's the first jersey that I associate the Jets' brand with. It's the playing jersey I had when I was No. 23.
"For me, it's significant in the history of the Jets.
"To be back in gold, hopefully everyone will enjoy it as much as I do because I feel that is definitely our recognisable colour."
Another notable feature on the new strip will be a logo for Port of Newcastle, which has signed on a home-jersey sponsor for the next three seasons.
"While the club is moving forward into a new era in many ways, we are determined to reconnect with our origins and uphold the history of football in the region," Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske said.
"It was a clear decision for the club to return to wearing gold and it is a notion we know many supporters and former players strongly support. Our return to gold marks the perfect time for the club to unite with another local icon, Port of Newcastle."
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody felt there was a natural affinity between the two organisations.
"Port of Newcastle has a long history of loving and supporting football, with some of the first wharfies to work at the port through the 1900s belonging to social football teams and kicking the ball around the port after a hard day's work," he said.
"We could think of no better time for Port of Newcastle to lend its support to another Newcastle icon - the Newcastle Jets.
"We see this partnership for the three years ahead as an opportunity for Port of Newcastle to give a really great gift to the community."
It's understood the Jets will have two alternative jerseys for away games, one predominantly white, and one mainly blue.
