Les Binkley
Team: Toronto Toros
Style: Home Jersey
Manufacturer: Maska
Material: Durene
Tagging: Manufacturer’s tag in neck
Year: 1973-74
Set: N/A
Size: N/A
Patches: none
Acquired From: Classic Auctions - March 2011
Photomatched: No
Description: From Classic Auctions: Vintage durene WHA Toronto Toros jersey finds are a treat! The heavily-embroidered snortin' bull logo is there on the front with the team name patches at each elbow. Wonderful v-neck style with the black and gold Maska label sewn into the back of the collar. The plate on the back is original and holds the smaller tackle twill letters forming "Binkley". This one does not show much wear but we do spy a few marks, [sweat staining at the cuffs,] and some material pulls and the jersey does show evidence of washing with puckered crests and numbers. Signed on the inside by Binkley, this wonderful style was obtained directly by our consignor from Les, himself.
The photos below are from the 1973-74 pre-season. The jersey appears to match up nicely to the first photo, including the wider white stitching at the top of the back 0, and the spacing and angle of the letters on the nameplate. Classic listed this jersey as 75-76, but I believe the jerseys from that year wear made by Athletic Knit. Additionally, I think the first year Toros jerseys were the only ones to have the blue drop shadow on the name on the sleeves. I believe the following two seasons the drop shadow was white.
