2008 Away – Launched 12th March 2008
This new English away kit was highly anticipated as usual when it come to new kits for the Three Lions. Originally it was scheduled to be released on the 4th February, to be worn against Switzerland (6 Feb) and France (26 Mar). However, manufacturers Umbro decided to delay its release until the 12th March, but was still used for the match against the Swiss. Fans were made to wait more than a month before they could purchase and wear the new kit. The motto used to market this shirt was: ‘More than just a football shirt – Bring it on’.
The new shirt was worn for the first time against Switzerland, as was mentioned previously. This was the first match for the English team under the guidance of Italian tactician Fabio Capello, and was won by 2-1 at the Wembley Stadium. The fabric used by Umbro features Climate Control technology called Trilogy, with the aim of wicking perspiration, letting air pass and keeping players comfortable. Feeling the shirt, it is very smooth and looks better than in pictures. The main colour used is red. It has a gussett under the arm to facilitate player movement. All the effort put into the design was directed with a single goal: provide a shirt that makes the nation proud to wear and which gives positive results. Apart from having the England crest proudly embroidered in a central position, it also features on the inside-top of the shirt.
The 2008/10 Away shirt has a circular collar. Its frontal edge is white, while the back part is a blue strip with ENGLAND written on it. The shirt also has a touch of white on the red sleeves. Also on the sleeves, there are two white diamonds, and three debossed uncoloured diamonds. The body of the shirt has slanting lines of thin holes extending from the left to the right. The player number is printed in the centre on the front, as well as a larger version in the normal place on the back. On the chest, the shirt has a navy blue horizontal stripe, on which the Umbro logo and the 1966 World Cup star stand. There are also smaller white details. Below the player number, there is a white V detail. On the bottom back inside of the shirt, there is a blue and white stripe. On it, there is the text ‘Kick-off 2008 [the English Flag] 2010 Full-time’ and below it ‘Official England Football Shirt’. In my opinion, it is one of the best shirts in the past decade, adorned with well-placed details that give it a stylish look.
Until April 2009, the shirt has been used 5 times, out of which the English team has won 4. These were the matches in which the 2008 Away kit has been used:
