New England Football Team Kit

The new Umbro England kit harks back to the middle part of the twentieth century in its design. As usual, the kit is in the traditional white colour shirt with the three lions logo embroidered on the chest, and navy blue shorts. In addition, the kit has been designed with an open button collar which is designed to regulate temperature.

The white shirt has become a key and important tradition - from the first ever England game, they have always played in white. The late part of the nineteenth century to the mid 1950s saw England players wearing buttoned shirts, which is where the latest shirt takes its references from. From 1954 onwards, England kits have had 'V' or round neck collars. Small detail changes have meant adding coloured stripes or collars to the design of the strip, but this is the first time that England have reverted back to a buttoned shirt since the mid 1950s.

Although the team has mainly played in its traditional colours, it has occasionally ventured into others, usually when there is a clash with the opposing team. In the 1966 victory over Germany in the World Cup final, England changed to a red and white kit as the German team also played in white shirts. Occasionally the team will play in all white. In recent years, England have played in a grey away kit when required to do so. The new England Umbro 'retro' style sees England return to an all white strip. The kit is made from a new high-tech material called Trilogy which has been used because of its thermodynamic properties. This has been specially tailored into the design of the shirt to ensure that the shirt keeps players cool - which will be especially important in the heat of South Africa, should England qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The material wicks moisture away from the skin, and the inverted seams reduce friction. A lumbar zone has been included which is also designed to prevent temperature build up, as is the under arm ventilation.