Umbro Spring 2011

I remember watching that crucial game between Germany and England during the World Cup this year. I say crucial because every commentator kept talking about the last time the two soccer* powerhouses met in 1966. England took the Cup that year and they have never forgotten that. Think of it like Canadians about Paul Henderson and you’ll get the idea.

My friend and I were in a pub (of course) drinking beer and cider (of course) and watching the game (of course.) We were surrounded in a sea of white and red. (of course)

Then the game played. Even David Beckham’s tattoos looked depressed. I remember watching and listening as one man started swearing at the screen prompting one of us to mutter that we were pretty sure Fabio Capello couldn’t hear him.

So England didn’t have a good year but they’re playing again.(Soccer is like hockey, it’s always there even when there aren’t actual games.)  And while they play, they’re dressed by Umbro, founded and still based in Manchester. Umbro continues to make the official gear for the English team but for Spring 2011, they’re looking to build up the lifestyle off the pitch with a line that combines style and the heritage of Umbro, soccer, and England.

The England-inspired clothing remains predominately white with the three dragons logo, but for Spring 2011, the tops now have a pattern of four tiny crosses in red, green, blue and purple. If you’re not in the mood to wear white, there’s a Peter Saville-designed shirt that comes in black with burnt-out crosses. Subtle, but not naked. Umbro’s also bringing back the Ramsey jacket, worn by England player and coach Alf Ramsey who coached the team to the 1966 World Cup win.

This season has the jacket in four limited-edition colours and styles – blue, black, gingham and tweed. Umbro will be bringing out new designs every season so if you like a design now, buy it because you may not see it again. And my favourite photo of the biggest Manchester United bar in Toronto.

* I would say football but this is written in Canada, one of only two countries in the world who say ‘soccer’ versus ‘football, ‘hence ‘soccer.’