Bringing Back Old Glory

Taking inspiration from past iconic designs brings about a sense of nostalgia, although the cynic among us would say it’s a lack of imagination by rehashing what’s already been done. Instead of looking at the past, how about make a modern classic that will be imitated in the future? Producing two exemplary kits in one

Umbro Anniversary Blues

Earlier this week — in the most topical I’ve been so far on this blog — the Republic of Ireland celebrated their association’s centenary with a friendly against Qatar. To mark the occasion, Umbro produced a vintage-style kit based on their first ever uniform, from against Bulgaria in the Paris Olympics of 1924. In the

Tonning Up in North America

Canada and the United States each celebrated their footballing — well, soccer-ing(?) — centenary in the early-mid 2010s, although representative matches between both countries have been recorded since 1885. The Canada Soccer Association’s 100th birthday came first, in 2012, and they celebrated with a game against their southern neighbours. Both the men’s and women’s played

Northern Ireland – 2004-06

After a ten-year hiatus, Northern Ireland re-signed with Umbro again from the summer of 2004. Their previous stint consisted of navy blue away kits through that tenure but their then-successors — Asics, Olympic Sportswear and then Patrick — took it up to 11 by heavily incorporating the colour into the home shirt, a trend they

MLS All-Stars, 2017

As ever around midway through the Major League Soccer season, the All-Star Game took place. The 2017 edition had them facing Spanish and European champions Real Madrid at Soldier Field in Chicago, which at the time was not the home of the Fire. League partners Adidas made them a catching kit in dark blue and

Pleasing Clashes #2 – Barcelona v Athletic Club, 2014

This one may ruffle some feathers as the home team wore a fourth kit but if it’s some consolation, it was retained from the previous season. To mark the 300th anniversary of the Siege of Barcelona, the Camp Nou side wore their Senyera kit — originally the club’s away choice from 2013-14, sans the red

Manchester United – Friendly Special

It may not be unusual for Manchester United to partake in a friendly match, there isn’t much else to do in pre-season, but it is for them to wear something out of the ordinary. Circumstances have led to an interesting kit to be conjured up for the day, which is definitely the case by default