Mphamvu
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2011
- 10,702
- 3,356
By Mphamvu Daniel
November 12, 2012
It was this evening when the World Cup Qualifier game between England and Poland was on.
Despite the beautiful game,England's beautiful navy blue jerseys and shots were eye catching for sure.
Most of England fans couldn't bear the truth that this will be last season to see England national team in such beautiful 'Tailored by Umbro' kits.
Umbro branding in football have been associated with many fans.
From Umbro Speciali boots to newest Umbro Geometra. From Brazil 1994 winning brand to the very recent Manchester City premier league crowning.
Have you ever asked yourself whether there are some important thing behind sports?
Of course there are some things at backstage which are very important in sporting industry.
Clothing and equipments is one among associate industry of sport as it backs up the whole event. Ever imagined how misery would it in world of athletes without boots, balls, jerseys and training equipments.
It is obvious that training and match accessories plays great role in world of sports, including football, worlds favourite at the moment.
Sports equipments has been a big business globally and some firms have emerged out of it to become largest in the world including Adidas, Nike, Puma and Reebok just to name the few. For example, by the end of 2010, German firm, Adidas Group Co. had 42,541 employees worldwide.
Today, I would like to talk about the British multinational firm, Umbro.
Since I have come across this sportwears company, things have not been going well on their side.
It all started in 1924 when British young tailor, Harold Humphrey set up with his brother Wallace to start a sport clothing company in Cheadle.
Greater Manchester based company has been in business since 1920's, but their official kit debut was in 1934 FA Cup final between Man City and Portsmouth, both wearing jerseys supplied by Umbro.
1952 Summer Olympics begun with Team Great Britain wearing Umbro kit. Each kit designed specialy in accord with individual kind of sport. This was great achievement to Umbro teamware as a whole.
Remisicle might be in World Cup 1966, where by 15 participating teams, with exepition of USSR wore this brand of equipment. Then the host England lifted the trophy in Umbro jersey.
Another finest moment of the brand takes us back in 1962 and 1994 when Brasil squad lifted the world cup. Manchester United treble win in 1999 was in good hands of same brand as well. During that time, Sir Alex Ferguson's squad lifted Premier league, FA Cup and Champions League titles at the same time, what a moment it was for Umbro.
In 1964, Scotland and Manchester United player, Denis Law had some paperwork with Umbro, making him the first signing of the brand. Other big signings included Alan Shearer and Michael Owen in 1990's
Well, by 1960's, Umbro supplied kits for more than 85 percent of teams in British football. The number has downed to 5 teams in recent years, two of them with contracts ending by 2013.
FIRM'S DOWNWARD TREND
Trend of losing deals came into attention back in 1997/98 season, when Umbro's contract with world champions Brazil came to its end.
World of football witnessed the defending champions going to Paris for the 1998 World Cup branded by US giants, Nike, who will soon inherit England national team from Umbro.
In early 2000s, Umbro bid their farewell to Manchester United, one of European giants who won the treble in 1999.
Then another blow came in 2005/2006 season when Adidas replaced Umbro in endorsement deal with Chelsea. The London club would no more be under Umbro, whose jersey were worn whilst lifting their first premier league title after 50 years of waiting.
In 2008, Umbro was sold to Nike for £377 millions, to make it a subsidiary to the US giant. This was rather a grave for the brand than a rescue.
Four years from Nike takeover, the parent company wants to take it all. Umbro had been asked politely to step aside as England national team kit supplier to enable Nike to do its work. The relation between Umbro and Three Lions which has been for over sixty years will come to its end by May next year.
Such terms has extended to another Umbro patner, Premier League champions, Manchester City. At Etihad Stadium in Eastlands, adverts has changed to Nike.
Acording to journalist Sam Wallace of UK based The Independent, the company is fighting for its survival. In 2013/2014 season will witness the brand going on without Sevilla, Southampton and Sweden national team as well.
The recent partnership, if it makes any changes, is with Botswana national team.
One can see how big Umbro is blowed. The only strong and sense making deal is with Lille Metropole and some national teams such as Norway and Republic of Ireland.
At times, official website of Umbro is full decorated with photos of England and Manchester City players. I wonder how will it look like by the start of 2013/2014 season with absence of above two partners.
In football era where biggest companies are seeking to extend their domination, things are opposite to Umbro.
Nike have taken France recently from Adidas (who have also lost Liverpool to American company, Warrior) as their kit supplier, whilst Adidas have gone through Morocco national team from Nike.
Puma have secured deals with Borussia Dortmund and South African national team, as well as their extension to African national teams goes on spreading.
Their closest and perhaps strongest patners, Italy are stable and doing fine. The German giants company has managed to make it through to become a threat to long time dominators, Nike and Adidas.
As the case of Umbro, poor efforts to extend worldwide have brought them to where they are.
In Africa for instance, there are only three deals at time. Two in Botswana with national team and Premier League club, Mochudi Chiefs.
The other deal is with Cameroon club and former African champions, Cotton Sport Football Club dé Garoua.
In Latin America, they have tried their best to extends to several clubs in Argentina, Brazil and Guartemala, but biggest clubs are still in hands of clothing giants, Nike, Adidas and Puma.
All in all, I can sadly join Sam Wallace's team to say my farewell to Umbro.
This time it is not only England's loss, but also a loss to history of football. I wonder how Harold Humphrey will be dissapointed by the current status of the company he initiated 88 years ago in back room of a pub in Wilmslow upon Cheshire.
November 12, 2012
It was this evening when the World Cup Qualifier game between England and Poland was on.
Despite the beautiful game,England's beautiful navy blue jerseys and shots were eye catching for sure.
Most of England fans couldn't bear the truth that this will be last season to see England national team in such beautiful 'Tailored by Umbro' kits.
Umbro branding in football have been associated with many fans.
From Umbro Speciali boots to newest Umbro Geometra. From Brazil 1994 winning brand to the very recent Manchester City premier league crowning.
Have you ever asked yourself whether there are some important thing behind sports?
Of course there are some things at backstage which are very important in sporting industry.
Clothing and equipments is one among associate industry of sport as it backs up the whole event. Ever imagined how misery would it in world of athletes without boots, balls, jerseys and training equipments.
It is obvious that training and match accessories plays great role in world of sports, including football, worlds favourite at the moment.
Sports equipments has been a big business globally and some firms have emerged out of it to become largest in the world including Adidas, Nike, Puma and Reebok just to name the few. For example, by the end of 2010, German firm, Adidas Group Co. had 42,541 employees worldwide.
Today, I would like to talk about the British multinational firm, Umbro.
Since I have come across this sportwears company, things have not been going well on their side.
It all started in 1924 when British young tailor, Harold Humphrey set up with his brother Wallace to start a sport clothing company in Cheadle.
Greater Manchester based company has been in business since 1920's, but their official kit debut was in 1934 FA Cup final between Man City and Portsmouth, both wearing jerseys supplied by Umbro.
1952 Summer Olympics begun with Team Great Britain wearing Umbro kit. Each kit designed specialy in accord with individual kind of sport. This was great achievement to Umbro teamware as a whole.
Remisicle might be in World Cup 1966, where by 15 participating teams, with exepition of USSR wore this brand of equipment. Then the host England lifted the trophy in Umbro jersey.
Another finest moment of the brand takes us back in 1962 and 1994 when Brasil squad lifted the world cup. Manchester United treble win in 1999 was in good hands of same brand as well. During that time, Sir Alex Ferguson's squad lifted Premier league, FA Cup and Champions League titles at the same time, what a moment it was for Umbro.
In 1964, Scotland and Manchester United player, Denis Law had some paperwork with Umbro, making him the first signing of the brand. Other big signings included Alan Shearer and Michael Owen in 1990's
Well, by 1960's, Umbro supplied kits for more than 85 percent of teams in British football. The number has downed to 5 teams in recent years, two of them with contracts ending by 2013.
FIRM'S DOWNWARD TREND
Trend of losing deals came into attention back in 1997/98 season, when Umbro's contract with world champions Brazil came to its end.
World of football witnessed the defending champions going to Paris for the 1998 World Cup branded by US giants, Nike, who will soon inherit England national team from Umbro.
In early 2000s, Umbro bid their farewell to Manchester United, one of European giants who won the treble in 1999.
Then another blow came in 2005/2006 season when Adidas replaced Umbro in endorsement deal with Chelsea. The London club would no more be under Umbro, whose jersey were worn whilst lifting their first premier league title after 50 years of waiting.
In 2008, Umbro was sold to Nike for £377 millions, to make it a subsidiary to the US giant. This was rather a grave for the brand than a rescue.
Four years from Nike takeover, the parent company wants to take it all. Umbro had been asked politely to step aside as England national team kit supplier to enable Nike to do its work. The relation between Umbro and Three Lions which has been for over sixty years will come to its end by May next year.
Such terms has extended to another Umbro patner, Premier League champions, Manchester City. At Etihad Stadium in Eastlands, adverts has changed to Nike.
Acording to journalist Sam Wallace of UK based The Independent, the company is fighting for its survival. In 2013/2014 season will witness the brand going on without Sevilla, Southampton and Sweden national team as well.
The recent partnership, if it makes any changes, is with Botswana national team.
One can see how big Umbro is blowed. The only strong and sense making deal is with Lille Metropole and some national teams such as Norway and Republic of Ireland.
At times, official website of Umbro is full decorated with photos of England and Manchester City players. I wonder how will it look like by the start of 2013/2014 season with absence of above two partners.
In football era where biggest companies are seeking to extend their domination, things are opposite to Umbro.
Nike have taken France recently from Adidas (who have also lost Liverpool to American company, Warrior) as their kit supplier, whilst Adidas have gone through Morocco national team from Nike.
Puma have secured deals with Borussia Dortmund and South African national team, as well as their extension to African national teams goes on spreading.
Their closest and perhaps strongest patners, Italy are stable and doing fine. The German giants company has managed to make it through to become a threat to long time dominators, Nike and Adidas.
As the case of Umbro, poor efforts to extend worldwide have brought them to where they are.
In Africa for instance, there are only three deals at time. Two in Botswana with national team and Premier League club, Mochudi Chiefs.
The other deal is with Cameroon club and former African champions, Cotton Sport Football Club dé Garoua.
In Latin America, they have tried their best to extends to several clubs in Argentina, Brazil and Guartemala, but biggest clubs are still in hands of clothing giants, Nike, Adidas and Puma.
All in all, I can sadly join Sam Wallace's team to say my farewell to Umbro.
This time it is not only England's loss, but also a loss to history of football. I wonder how Harold Humphrey will be dissapointed by the current status of the company he initiated 88 years ago in back room of a pub in Wilmslow upon Cheshire.
