It seems like England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 is upsetting more than just the country’s dedicated supporters. Long term kit suppliers Umbro have issued a warning saying it expects ‘substantial reduction’ of sales of England replica shirts following the defeat to Croatia that spelt the end of the country’s Euro 2008 dreams. Sales of the famous white shirts have struggled in the past year and that was BEFORE the side’s disappointing climax to the qualifying campaign. Its a far cry from last year’s World Cup extravaganza when Umbro reported record sales of England replicas.
Although rumours have it that England will still wear Umbro even if Nike are successful in their planned takeover of the company, its possible that this news could pave the way for the famous swoosh logo to appear on the chests of the England side sooner rather than later.
Click here to view some of Umbro’s classic England kits from the past or see the full England kit history since 1980 in True Colours Volume 2.