With the transfer window being well and truly closed, no longer is idle transfer gossip filling up the newspapers. Instead the rumours are circulating about managerial casualties, big money takeovers and shirt sponsors!

Fans normally worry over whether their star striker will stay at their club, but instead are concerned whether their sponsor will be on the team’s shirt come the weekend. More interesting than much of the football and nearly as worrying as the circumstances at Tottenham and Newcastle, the economic crash has proved exciting news for the world of football.

PSV Eindhoven - Philips

There are a couple of stories to update you on from the past week involving the mad world of club sponsorship. Philips will end its 26 year old shirt sponsorship deal with Dutch club PSV in the near future.  Former technical director of PSV Stan Valckx said in an interview with a Dutch radio program that Philips no longer has affinity with top-level football. Valckx, who is also a former football player at PSV, also said that, “the company will soon announce to the world that they will actually stop as the main shirt sponsor for the club, but that this does not immediately mean that Philips will no longer sponsor PSV at all”.

According to Valckx, Philips will stay within the name of the Club and Philips stadium will stay the name of the PSV stadium for a significant amount, but as a shirt sponsor Philips will disappear. PSV (Philips Sport Vereniging) was founded on 31 August 1913, at the end of a big Philips sports party marking the 100th anniversary of Dutch independence.

QPR - Kingfisher

Elsewhere, London based club Queens Park Rangers are close to agreeing a new £20 million shirt sponsorship deal which could even result in Loftus Road being renamed the Kingfisher Stadium. The club were bought in August last year by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and Renault’s Flavio Briatore and if this deal goes ahead Vijay Mallya, the owner of Kingfisher beer and F1 team Force India, would become the third Formula One luminary to be associated with the West London club.

QPR have already announced lucrative deals with Santander, Gulf Air and kit manufacturers Lotto.

Elsewhere

Other football shirt news involves the release of Bristol Rovers’ 3rd kit and a chance for Ipswich Town fans to vote for next season’s shirt design. Of course all this and more can be found at FootballShirtCulture.com.

By James Bailey

The weird and wonderful world of the football shirt industry produced a mixed selection of stories in this past week.

As documented in the last two football shirt round-ups, many clubs have suffered problems due to the credit crunch crisis including reigning Premiership champions Manchester United and Gianfranco Zola’s new team West Ham United. Joining the list are Wigan Athletic who have become the latest top flight team to receive unwanted sponsor difficulties due to the economic catastrophe.  Sponsored by the sportswear company JJB, uncertainty looms over the future of their partnership. The Wigan chairman Dave Whelan founded JJB and hence titled the club’s stadium as The JJB. However due to huge financial losses and a plummet in share prices, a new sponsor may have to be found for “The Latics”.

On an entirely different note, Wigan’s Premier League rivals Everton FC have unveiled another shirt for this season. In support of the Breast Cancer Campaign, a pink shirt will be available for all fans to purchase. The limited edition shirt follows on from last year’s unprecedented success when they released a similar pink selection. “Last season was a hugely successful campaign but this time around we want to make a bigger splash with our fundraising efforts,” said Ian Ross, Head of PR at Everton. “The launch of the new pink shirt gives us the opportunity to give something back to the community and hopefully make a difference to the work these charities undertake on a daily basis.” As well as the Breast Cancer Campaign, a contribution of the proceeds will go to two more of Everton’s chosen charities, the NSPCC and Everton in The Community.

Whilst some players may not like playing in pink, not many would object to their club honouring their personal achievements. However Brazilian legend Romario is currently considering legal action against his former club Vasco de Gama and manufacturers Reebok who without his approval have produced special edition shirts that celebrate the 1000 goals the striker scored in his career. According to Romario’s lawyer, the former Barcelona star has the rights to produce such a football shirt, and these shirts are not covered by the contract agreements made.

For all the latest news and stories regarding shirts, visit FootballShirtCulture.com.

By James Bailey

There are a few things in football that you wouldn’t want to be right now. Juande Ramos at Tottenham’s next board meeting, Rob Styles judging a penalty decision at the weekend, William Gallas defending Arsenal’s next corner, but top of the list must be having your name on the front of a football club’s shirt.

Football shirt sponsors are feeling the dramatic effects of the credit crunch right now. Traditionally, having a company brand on the front of a football shirt has been associated with prestige and success, but the recent trend seems to be saying the opposite.

Here’s a round-up of some of the major sponsorship concerns affecting football clubs in the UK.

Newcastle United

Newcastle were he first club to see their sponsor struggle. Northern Rock had to be taken over by the UK government in February. Northern Rock (UK tax payers) will continue to sponsor Newcastle until 2010 to the tune of £5 million per year.

West Ham United

The XL Leisure Group went into administration in September 2008. They were one year into a three year deal as West Ham’s shirt sponsor, paying £2.5 million per year.

Manchester United

Man Utd’s sponsor AIG (American International Group) were ranked the 18th largest company in the world, but that didn’t stop AIG going the same way as Northern Rock and needing the US Government to bail them out with a loan of $85 billion. Man Utd have two years left on the sponsorship deal worth £56.5 million pounds.

Bradford City

Bradford City’s sponsor the Bradford and Bingley have also been nationalised with some assets sold to Spanish giant Santander. The sponsor has paid for this years sponsorship, but the football club will need to wait and see what happens for their final year of the deal which runs until the 2009/10 season.

Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic sponsors JJB Sports have been warned over its ability to survive. The sporting goods retailer has seen the share price plummet by 60%.JJB’s sponsorship of the Wigan stadium and shirts ends at the close of this season.

Manchester United sponsors AIG were saved when the U.S. Treasury loaned the insurance company $85 billion as part of a rescue plan that helped stabilize world financial markets.

AIG is in year two of a four-year deal that will pay United $102.9 million as part of the largest shirt sponsorship arrangement ever.

The insurance giants will now remain emblazoned upon the famous red shirt of Man United, after this pledge of support from the U.S Treasury.

West Ham United who terminated their sponsorship deal with travel company XL after they went bust played this weekend with squad numbers replacing the company’s logo.

However this remains only a short term measure with the long term plans regarding sponsorship still in discussion.

A petition has been running regarding the use of the Bobby Moore Fund logo as the sponsor for the remainder of the 2008/09 campaign. However a club spokesperson replied, “Although aware and respectful of the supporter-backed campaign to replace XL Holidays with the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, the commercial reality is the club has a financial duty to secure the best possible sponsorship package to help with the continued development of the first-team squad.”

This dismissal seemingly emphasises the club’s intent to find an alternative sponsor.

On the international scene, The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced an extension to their sponsorship deal with eircom which will now run until 2010.

This new contract sees eircom continue as the primary sponsor of the FAI and primary sponsor of all Republic of Ireland International teams.

Speaking at the announcement, Managing Director of eircom Retail, Cathal Magee said: “eircom is delighted to extend its strong links with Irish soccer and renew our sponsorship of the International teams.”

For up to date news surrounding football shirts, visit FootballShirtCulture.

By James Bailey

Amidst the financial crisis seemingly descending upon the planet, the major holiday company XL entered administration on Friday morning.

Not only did this leave thousands of holiday makers stranded abroad as well ruin the travel plans of thousands more but it also saw West Ham United lose their sponsor.

XL have had their emblem adorned onto the claret and blue West Ham strip as their shirt sponsors however having gone bust, this deal has come to an abrupt end.

West Ham will now play with unbranded shirt until a new sponsor is found.

Indeed, the Premier League match at the weekend saw an encounter without any shirt sponsors at all when the Hammers took on West Brom who themselves still remain without any backing.

Continuing the financial crisis theme, doubts are already circulating around Manchester United’s agreement with AIG.

The sponsorship tie up between Man United and the insurance giants remains the largest ever deal, with the contract standing at a staggering £14 million a year.

After West Ham were left sponsorless due to XL’s administration problems, Man United are consulting the insurance company after they made an unprecedented approach to America’s Federal Reserve seeking £22 billion in short term financing.

The company was forced to request the cash in the wake of Lehman Brother’s bankruptcy and the takeover of Merrill Lynch. However United remain confident the company will be able to fulfill its commitment to the agreement.

Spanish side Valencia are also suffering from a sponsorship nightmare. The club has started legal proceedings against its new 08/09 shirt sponsor Valencia Experience, for failing to meet payment terms outlined in the contract signed by both parties last May.

Elsewhere there is potentially more optimistic news for Plymouth Argyle who are looking to tie up a major sponsorship deal in Japan.

The English football club has revealed that it is in talks with one of Japan’s largest advertising firms about ‘various sponsorship and advertising opportunities’.

The talks follow the arrival of Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami as a director in April and, two months later, the appointment of Japanese footballing legend Yasuhiko Okudera as president.

For further football shirt news, footballshirtculture.com is the website to visit.

By James Bailey

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has elected to change the nation’s home shirt colour from all red to yellow shirts complimented with white shorts.

FAT secretary-general Ong-art Korsinka said yesterday the FAT had informed FIFA of the change while the all blue away kit remains unchanged. “We performed well last year in yellow shirt and won the SEA Games so we decided to make it our uniform for home games.”  FIFA has approved the change, he added.

Elsewhere, Adidas have signed a football kit deal with The Russian Football Union. The sum of the contract is to be revealed soon, though is expected to be in the region of 100 million euros. The new deal concludes the Russian partnership with rival brand Nike.

Reigning world champions Italy have been presented the very first “Fifa World Champions Badge”. From now on every victorious World Cup nation will receive one of the exclusive badges. Italy will be able to wear the badge until the next World Cup tournament, where they will have to defend their title. “Italy have the honor of being the first team in the history of the World Cup to wear Fifa’s new badge. It is a source of great pride for the whole of Italian football,” said coach Marcello Lippi.

After the midweek international fixtures, club action returns. For all the latest information on football shirts, make sure you click on over to footballshirtculture.com.

By James Bailey

NB: Fifa world champions badge image courtesy of www.fifa.com

With the football shirt industry booming, most clubs now see fit to release a third shirt. James Bailey rounds-up of the alternative kits unveiled during the last week:

Manchester United & Zenit St Petersburg

The Super Cup Final was competed on Friday in Monaco between the Champions League winners, Manchester United and UEFA Cup victors, Zenit St. Petersburg. Both clubs revealed their third shirt designs. The Russian side played in their new blue strip sponsored by Gazprom. Manchester United unveiled their dark blue choice, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the momentous night when they won the European Cup wearing blue. Zenit were victorious in the Super Cup Final winning 2-1 on the night.

Portsmouth & Everton

In the Premiership both Everton and Portsmouth released their third shirts. Everton have decided on a fluorescent yellow strip which also comprises of navy shorts and yellow socks. Portsmouth on the other hand, sponsored by Canterbury, will play in black. The kit follows the release of their home and away shirts, all commemorating 110 years of Portsmouth FC. Portsmouth also have an ‘elite version’ available for purchase.

Derby County

Struggling Derby may be bottom of the Championship but at least they have a new shirt to shout about. Their blue and white striped third shirt was modelled by Argentine striker Tito Villa and Rams legend Archie Gemmill. Hopefully the kit which was worn during Derby’s glory days will bring back some success to the club.

Remember FootballShirtCulture.com is the site for all the latest shirt news.

As we recently reported on Footy Boots, you fans are keen to see football clubs change their kit on an annual basis.

You’ll therefore be delighted to find out that Manchester United will be using a newly designed third kit for the new season. And it’s based on a famous night in United history.

In 1968 Manchester United made history in becoming the first English team to lift the European Cup when they defeated Benfica 4-1 at Wembley Stadium. Before the game it was agreed that Utd would play in their Blue away kit as both teams home jerseys were red.

To celebrate the 40 year anniversary of this momentous night Nike has created a kit worthy of that great team and their great night at Wembley. Taking inspiration from that first European Cup win and the Busby Babes, Utd will wear blue as their third kit for the 2008/09 season inspired by the famous 1968 victory. The kit will also be their preferred kit for this season’s Champions League away matches.

The shirt includes a number of details that celebrate the anniversary including the embroidery of the words “May 29th 1968” and “40th Year Anniversary” around the club crest.

The kit uses Nike Fit fabric technology, first used by Nike in national team kits worn by Nike-sponsored teams in the 2006 World Cup. This technology is designed to enhance player performance by wicking sweat through the material and away from the skin.  A full mesh back on the player’s jerseys also aids ventilation.

Rio Ferdinand said: “When you look at the final image you will associate it with the great team of 1968 with the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton. Obviously they won the European Cup in blue so we hope we can walk in their shoes again with this kit. It’s such a big part of the history of the club”.

Ryan Giggs was also suitably impressed saying “I’m very impressed. It’s good to have a kit to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that amazing night. Obviously that was a great night for the club and there is a massive history behind the game and the players who played that night. It’s great that we can commemorate that history with this kit. For it to look so good and be the same colour as the kit from back then is a testimony to the designers and I think the lads will like it”

If you like it, the kit is available for pre order from today. ORDER NOW

“Keep changing the kit”, that’s what football fans voted in our poll to find out how often fans would like football clubs to change their football kits.

Replacing football kits annually topped the list with 43% of the votes ahead of a bi-annual change (41%).

The poll conducted here on Footy Boots had 1,000 votes with the following results:

• Annually - 43%
• Every 2 years - 41%
• Every 3 years - 11%
• More than 3 years - 5%

Poll conducted August 2008.

Of the 20 teams in the Premier League this season, just two teams will be keeping their home shirts from last year, Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The trend for clubs to change their football kits regularly is well received by fans, despite protests suggesting that football clubs are taking advantage of their supporters.

Andy Kay Footy Boots editor:

Football clubs have been taking a bit of stick for releasing football shirts so frequently, so we wanted to see what our vistors had to say. It’s pretty clear that they appreciate new merchandise being released regularly.

Related story: Football Kits Now Annual

The Premiership season 2008/09 kicked off over the weekend meaning all the English leagues have now started, writes James Bailey.

Man City 3rd Kit

Mark Hughes didn’t enjoy the best start as manager of Manchester City as his side were beaten by Aston Villa. However the club did unveil their new third kit. The orange shirt accompanied by navy shorts will be available from the end of September. The limited edition Le Coq Sportif kit completes the range of football shirts for “The Citizens”.

Derby Green Shirt

Derby were relegated from the Premier League last season and haven’t started the new campaign with much better fortune. Picking up just one point from their first two games, the club have revealed their new Adidas away kit. The green shirt was released in conjunction with Green Day promoting environmental awareness at the club.

Swindon Home Shirt

In League 1, Swindon lost 2-0 to Cheltenham but their fans will be cheered up knowing their new shirts are now on sale. The red home shirt is emblazoned with the club’s new sponsor, FourFourTwo magazine. It is the first time the football magazine has sponsored a side.

Bradford Home Kit

Bradford are flying high in League 2 having gained maximum points from their opening two matches. The clubs traditional striped home shirt was unveiled last week. “The Bantams” home kit manufactured by Surridge joins the away all-white shirt on sale.

Don’t forget that FootballShirtCulture.com is the place for all information about new shirt releases.

James Bailey takes a look at the football shirt news outside of the Premier League.

Scottish League Football Shirts

Title challengers Rangers unveiled their white away football shirt in the start of the new Scottish season at the weekend. The kit contains red and blue bands and is reminiscent of the Umbro kit Rangers wore in the mid 1980’s. Fellow Scottish side Partick Thistle also released their new Puma away shirt. Boldly electing pink and grey stripes, Partick Thistle will become the first ever team to wear pink in Scottish football. As seen on the continent with Palermo, Benfica and Juventus, the pink shade at least makes you stand out.

 Olympic Football Shirt News

The weekend also saw the official opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. The men’s football has so far been dominated by South American giants Argentina and Brazil. The latter however have been told they are not allowed to wear their national crest upon their shirts as it goes against Olympic rules. The five stars representing their five World Cup wins and the Nike logo contravene the amateur spirit of the games.

Boca Juniors Football Shirt

With Argentina and Brazil both looking strong, the two are competing for Olympic glory. At domestic level in Argentina, the players of Boca Juniors received their home and away shirts ahead of the new season.

Nike’s new design incorporates the latest technology combining for the first time two fabrics that will give the shirt an ultra-light quality, a better fit to the body and will afford easier breathing to its wearer. The official jerseys will contain the club motto, “Every Day I Love You More.”

Premier League Football Shirts

The English Premiership will kick off on Saturday and further Premier League teams unfurled their new kit designs. Newcastle United revealed their silver coloured third shirt and Everton officially unveiled their Umbro white away shirt.

With football back, we can all rejoice. For the latest information about football shirts- FootballShirtCulture.com is the place to visit.

Nations jumped on the bandwagon this week by joining domestic sides in releasing their brand new shirts.

James Bailey brings us this weeks football shirt news.

One nation to reveal their kit for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign is Wales. The red home shirt is made by Champion, a new and exclusive brand to JJB Sports. The new kit will be shown off for the first time when Wales face Georgia on August 20th.  Suriname were just one of the other international sides to reveal their new kit designs, their uniform is manufactured by Dutch firm COPA.

Back to the domestic front and with the new season dawning, Chelsea unveiled their new third shirt. Becoming a regular fixture now in bright yellow with a blue trim, the 3rd shirt joins the traditional blue home design and the black away kit.

Fulham and Bolton both displayed their new away kits for the coming Premier League campaign which kicks off on the 16th August. Fulham FC elected to stick with their traditional away colours of black and red, with the striped affair being made by Nike. Bolton on the other hand will play in yellow on their travels this season with “PLAYDRY” technology incorporated into the design. The moisture management system helps keep the body cooler, drier and more comfortable.

Fellow English top flight side West Ham have announced the retirement of their number six shirt, the jersey made famous by England World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore. This Saturday’s inaugural match for the Bobby Moore Cup versus Spanish giants Villarreal will be the last game that the number is worn upon the claret and blue shirt. Current owner of the proud number Matthew Upson will wear the number 15 after the match.

The retirement decision comes as part of the celebration commemorating 50 years since the defenders debut. The number six is synonymous with Moore and its retirement signifies the affection for all Moore achieved during his career and shows the esteem to which Moore is held at the club.

Order the Bobby Moore 1958 shirt - ORDER NOW

To find out more about the new kit releases and shirt news, head over to FootballShirtCulture.com.

As the new season draws ever closer, new shirts continue to be unveiled.

James Bailey reports on recent football shirt events.

AC Milan ShirtArguably the biggest kit release over the past seven days was that of Italian side AC Milan. The “Rossoneri” unsurprisingly elected to stick with their trademark red and black stripes, which provides them with their nickname. The usual white away shirt and black third shirt were also released at the same time although the regularity was broken when it was announced new signing and former two time world player of the year Ronaldinho will be wearing the number 80 upon his back. With Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf already occupying Ronaldinho’s favoured number 10 shirt, the Brazilian decided on 80 as it was the year of his birth. Kit manufacturers Adidas have revealed they have so far received 11,000 pre-orders for replica Ronaldinho shirts.

AC Milan’s opponents in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League Final Liverpool revealed their third shirt for the forthcoming campaign. The green coloured kit will be worn by the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres as they travel around Europe. The shirt completes the Liverpool collection for the 2008/09 season with their traditional home and away shirts having already been released.

Middlesbrough Home ShirtFellow Premier League sides to have made headlines in the kit business in the last week include Middlesbrough, West Brom and Everton. Errea, the company who manufacture the Middlesbrough kits have claimed the club’s new shirts are fully water resistant. By using nanotechnology, the manufacturers who pride themselves on scientific breakthroughs, have made the new shirts the first and only shirts to incorporate this knowledge. Furthermore the shirts are also resistant to all other liquids, so also useful to prevent any spillages in the pub prior to the game.

However, the kit releases for West Brom and Everton haven’t been as successful. West Brom remain without a kit sponsor and despite searching for a business logo to be adorned onto the blue and white stripes, the kit will go on sale without any sponsor the club have remarked.  Fans buying the latest shirts will be able to have the sponsor’s logo welded onto their shirts at a later date, free of charge. Talks have reportedly taken place with Carlsberg, Ladbrokes and LDV although an agreement has yet to be reached.

Everton FC are also having problems regarding their new kit. Umbro have decided to pull the original sets of 08/09 shirts after suffering problems with its Far East suppliers. The club though have promised the kit will be of the highest standard now the logistical problems have been dealt with.

Further clubs to have released their newly designed kits are Fenerbahce, Bayern Munich and Ajax. To find out more head over to FootballShirtCulture, who are first with football shirt news.

Order your team shirt HERE

The Real Madrid home kit has been revealed. This kit will be used in the forthcoming season.

Order Yours Now

Arjen Robben and Raul are pictured wearing the new  Real Madrid kit for the 2008-09 season, featuring adidas trademark technologies ClimaCool and ForMotion.

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