They’re a busy old lot at Anfield.

Not content with preparing for their weekend trip to Birmingham then the Champions League semi final second leg against Chelsea, their top players, in association with official sponsor and sportswear supplier Adidas, have found the time to reveal the new club home strip for next season.

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The new stylish kit is in classic Liverpool red. An embroidered Liver Bird is positioned on the back of the shirt and the inner neck of the shirt has a red chequered area inspired by the flags of The Kop. The shirt also carries a “This is Anfield” inscription, inspired by the famous Anfield sign.

The new shirt collar is ribbed with a v-neck which has always been well received on shirts from the past.

As always for Adidas, technology is at the forefront of the kit design. The shirt incorporates the world-renowned ClimaCool™ and ForMotion™ technologies which allow heat and sweat to escape and giving the athlete the freedom and movement to perform.

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Images have been leaked that reveal the new Chelsea Home Shirt for season’s 2008 - 2009

Leaked images have been banded around, showing the new home shirt that Adidas have designed for Chelsea to wear from next season.

Here at Footy Boots we try and take a diplomatic approach when it comes to previewing material that is not official, however when the leaking of a new shirt hits the tabloid press we think its fair game to share the news with our audience.

So in today’s Sun we see that they are running with a story featuring Frank Lampard in the Chelsea Shirt. Being the responsible national newspaper that they are, the image must be official, right?

Just take a look at the images below. One is an official image of Frank Lampard in the Chelsea Shirt launch of their current shirt, the other is the new image, with the new shirt.

Now call us sceptical, but these images look remarkably similar. Franks hair gel has maintained exactly the same style for two years and he hasn’t aged one iota.

Anyway, whether the Sun’s make up artists managed to create a miracle or not, we have it from a good source (the guys at  Football Shirt Culture) that this is one of many edited images!

Football boot brand Nike has announced that it will be replacing Adidas as sponsor of the French football team.

As of January 1 2011, Nike will become equipment supplier of the French Football Federation (FFF) until the end of the 2017-2018 season. The deal is thought to be worth 42.7 million euros a season, with performance related payments based on Les Bleus progress in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Adidas has held a 37 year relationship with the FFF and currently pays 10 million euros a season for the right to supply the football kit to the French team. Nike’s offer far exceeds the 13 million euros per season it currently pays as sponsor of the Brazil national team and reinforces the US based football boot brand’s desire to become the leading football brand by 2010.

“We’re very excited to partner with the French team, one of the world’s premier teams with a rich heritage and outstanding record on the global and European stage. We’re committed to supporting and advancing French football at all levels from the national squad to youth football,” said Charles Denson, President of the Nike brand. “It’s a great day for Nike football and a perfect match for our brand. This partnership will solidify Nike’s leadership in football, as we continue delivering industry leading innovations on the pitch and create competitive distance with our next phase of growth.”

“We are pleased to be the FFF’s future partner in our mutual quest to be the best,” said Fabrice Ducceschi, General Manager of Nike France. “This is the next exciting stage of our brand’s overall strategy in France, already the sports equipment market leader. This new agreement will be instrumental in further deepening our emotional connection to French supporters of football and their national team.”

Since the early 1990s, Nike has grown its football revenues from about $40 million to approximately $1.5 billion and established global brand leadership in the sport. Football is one of six core categories expected to drive 75 percent of Nike’s targeted growth by fiscal 2011.

The Manchester United kit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

The commemorative kit will be worn during Manchester United’s derby on Saturday 9th February, with Manchester City.

The kit is styled in a 1950’s fashion. It will not feature the logo’s of sponsors, or the league and will be worn without the names of players. Kit sponsor Nike have made the kit and along with their main sponsor AIG, both firms have agreed to give up their branding. A replica kit will not be sold, the kits used on the day will be given away to survivors of the disaster and associated guests.

In another mark of respect, the players have also approached their football boot sponsors and will be wearing black football boots during the game, as previously reported in our article Black Football Boots Commemorate Munich Disaster.

Munich on the 6th February 1958, a plane carrying journalists, supporters and the Manchester United football team, known as the Busby Babes, crashed on its third attempt to take off. Twenty-three of the 44 passengers on board the aircraft died in the disaster, including eight United players and one former Manchester City player.

At Old Trafford, their clock remains frozen at 3:04 p.m. on Feb. 6, 1958. With the word Munich beneath it. The time and date when the plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed on take off from Munich’s airport.

New England Away Shirt 2008 - 2010 has now been revealed.

The New England Away Shirt for the period 2008 through to 2010 was revealed today by England players Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Bentley.

The New England Shirt features Umbro’s QR technology. That means the shirt contains a unique code, which can be activated by using your mobile phone, it will take you to a unique WAP site featuring exclusive content.

Technical Features

The shirt is more fitted than its predecessors. It has a twill mesh body fabric, keeping it both lightweight and breathable.

It features a hybrid neckline and a specially shaped underarm gusset, which maximise comfort and mobility.

The New England Shirt is available to purchase from the 12th of March. You can make sure you get yours first, by ordering here.

The New England Away Shirt will be revealed on Monday, but sales of the new shirt are likely to be much lower than anticipated.

Umbro the UK based football boot brand, and shirt manufacturer, will be unveiling the New England Away Shirt on Monday, with the New England Away Kit being aired for the first time in England’s friendly against Switzerland on the 6th February.

With England’s failure to qualify for the forthcoming Euro 2008 tournament, it looks ominous for the sales of this shirt. Although the launch takes place on Monday 4th February, the shirt cannot be purchased until the 12th Ferbuary, a date that has already been delayed, despite adverts being published with the original date. To add to the woes of the launch, JJB Sports, one of the major retailers selling the shirts, said that it will buy record low numbers of the New England Away Shirt because it is poorly designed.

Before the shirt is unveiled, we do know that Umbro have created a unique feature. The New England Shirt is the first to feature Umbro’s QR technology. The shirt will contain a code, which can be activated by a mobile phone and will take the owner of the New England Shirt to a unique WAP site featuring exclusive content.

Let’s hope it brings England better fortune on the pitch!

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Football boot brand Umbro have agreed a five year kit deal with Championship club Southampton.

Umbro will supply all Saints’ playing and training kit for the next five seasons from 2008/09 through to 2012/13. The sportswear company will replace Southampton’s own brand kit which has been the club’s official supplier since 1999.

Umbro certainly seem intent on adding to its portfolio of sponsored football clubs and increasing its share of the football shirt market; the company announcing last week that it would be extending its kit deal with fellow Championship outfit West Brom (link to article).

Saints Head of Retail Leighton Mitchell said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with a quality sportswear manufacturer such as Umbro. “They are without doubt one of the market leaders in kit design and innovation and the quality of their products is first class.

Saints chairman Leon Crouch added: “It is a great testament to the club that Umbro were keen to become our official kit supplier. We both share the common goals of producing innovative and high quality kits for our players and supporters alike. We look forward to a long and successful partnership both on and off the field.”

The tie up between Umbro and Southampton is a welcome distraction from the current speculation surrounding the vacant manager’s position at St Mary’s since the departure of George Burley for the Scotland post. The smart money is being heaped on a return for Glenn Hoddle, as the club seeks to elevate itself back into the Premiership.

Links already exist between the two organisations, with Southampton midfielder and Xai V wearer Andrew Surman being an Umbro sponsored player.

Football boot brand Umbro has extended its kit deal with Championship high flyers West Bromwich Albion until 2011.

West Brom wore Umbro sponsored football shirts during the late seventies and early eighties before renewing its successful partnership with the Cheshire based company at the start of the 2006/7 season. The England football shirt sponsors will now remain will now remain the official supplier of the Baggies’ playing and training kit until 2011.

On signing the deal, WBA’s Sales & Marketing Director, Tim Gardiner, said: “We have enjoyed a great relationship with Umbro over the last couple of years. The opportunity to become the Club’s official kit supplier from next season onwards attracted a lot of interest and we were courted by several brands. But we felt extending our deal with such an established name as Umbro was right for the Club and supporters. The style and quality of Umbro’s training and playing kit has proved extremely popular with both the playing staff and fans.

Umbro currently supplies football shirts to West Brom’s Championship rivals Hull City, as well as Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Sunderland, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic in the English Premiership.

Football boot brand Puma has announced a multi- year extension of its kit sponsorship agreement with African Cup of Nations hosts Ghana through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement was made by Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz and Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi during a special reception in Ghana’s capital of Accra one day after the 2008 African Cup of Nations kicked off with a 2-1 Ghanian victory over Guinea, courtesy of a fantastic Sulley Muntari strike in the closing minutes.

“Ghana was one of the most inspiring stories of the 2006 World Cup, capturing the world’s attention with their exciting style of play and passion for the game,” said Zeitz. “Puma is proud to extend our partnership with them for many years to come and we wish The Black Stars the best of luck during the next three weeks in the African Cup on their home soil.”

The Black Stars have been a dominant force on the African continent for the past half century, winning the African Cup of Nations four times (1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982) and finishing second on three occasions. They have previously hosted or co-hosted (with Nigeria) the African Cup on three occasions, winning twice as host in 1963 and 1978.

In 2006, the team made its first-ever World Cup appearance, upsetting the Czech Republic and the United States in group play before falling to Brazil in the Second Round .

“We are proud to be partners with such a global brand that has made a commitment to football in both Ghana and the African continent on the whole,” said Ghana FA President Nyantakyi. “Puma has consistently delivered on its promise of support – and this is further evidence of Puma’s confidence and commitment in their relationship with the Black Stars and Ghana Football.”

Ghana plays its second ACN Group A match against Namibia on Thursday evening.

Mike Ashley plans to bring former England captain David Beckham to St James Park to increase sales of Adidas replica shirts and turn Newcastle United into a global brand.

The billionaire owner of the Tyneside club, who also runs retailer Sports Direct, has faced a turbulent time with his retail business over the last six months, following England’s dismal Euro 2008 qualifying campaign leading to a downturn in England replica football shirt sales.

Ashley’s on-field business ventures have fared little better with Newcastle United playing boring, uneventful football under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce. With the appointment of Kevin Keegan, however, the club has suddenly become an attractive prospect again for punters and prospective players, and Ashley is keen to capitalise on the feel good factor that King Kev’s arrival has brought.

In agreement with former pint-sized England striker Keegan, the Newcastle owner has contacted David Beckham’s representatives to gauge whether the creative midfielder would fancy a move back to these shores, no doubt boosting his chances of a permanent return to the England national team.

Ashley is only too aware of the huge pulling power that Brand Beckham draws and realises that capturing the LA Galaxy player will dramatically increase sales of Newcastle’s Adidas football shirts, whilst making the club a world-wide brand.

The Newcastle owner’s motives are likely also driven by the fact that he owns a £180 million stake in the German based football boot brand. Beckham is of course the face of Adidas, having held an endorsement contract with the company since his Manchester United playing days.

Football Boot brand Umbro has encountered complications over the involvement of coach Fabio Capello in the launch of the new England Away football kit.

The sensitivities surrounding Umbro’s launch of the Red Away Kit two days before Capello’s first game against Switzerland on February 6*, come hot on the heels of the news that the Italian is currently being investigated over tax-evasion.

The football boot brand wants as much involvement as possible from Capello in their unveiling of the red strip, likely to be at England’s Grove Hotel base in Hertfordshire, especially given the super hard sell required following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

However, the FA were aware of wanting to protect Capello’s image as a suit-wearing manager and not committing too much of his time to a commercial issue on his first full day with the England squad. He also has a personal contract with Italian football boot brand Diadora, which may potentially complicate matters.

Umbro and the FA both sought to play down the issue by putting on a united front yesterday. The FA said “everything was fine with all their sponsors” and that Capello would take part in the launch and be pictured with the football shirt.

Click Here to order the new England Away Kit now!

*Please note Umbro have delayed the launch of the new England Kit to the 12th March

Puma, which sponsored all five African teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, is again at the forefront of African football when the 2008 African Cup of Nations kick-off on Sunday in Ghana.

As the official supplier to a dozen national teams across Africa, Puma will be worn by nine of the 16 teams in the tournament, including hosts Ghana and defending champion Egypt. “The fact that 20 of 24 games in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations will feature the Puma logo is a statement we are proud to make,” says Puma Chairman and CEO, Jochen Zeitz. “Puma’s commitment to African football as the leading supplier runs deep, much like the passion that Africa shows for the game of football itself.”

Along with Ghana and Egypt, Puma’s teams also include the national teams of Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, as well as African Cup of Nations first-timer Namibia. In fact, seven of the games in the group phase will be between teams wearing the Leaping Cat logo. Each Puma team will wear Puma’s new v1.08 products that launch in stores this week with a full collection of performance footwear, apparel and accessories.

In addition, Puma will activate several activities on the ground during the tournament. Jochen Zeitz and the Peace One Day charity will co-host a youth exhibition game on January 19 in Accra on the eve of the opening game, together with African football legends Roger Milla and Tony Yeboah. Puma supports the Peace One Day charity through the development of its own football collection, which will be presented at the tournament. “This is an exciting kick-off for an extraordinary year in sports for the world and for Puma,” said Zeitz. “We can’t think of a better way to kick it off then with our activities in Africa and the support of Puma’s national teams at the African Cup of Nations.”

View the Puma ‘Until Then’ video viral on the Football Boots TV player

Click here to read about the Puma v.108

Click here to order the Puma v.108

Serie A giant A.C. Milan has announced a new kit sponsorship deal with football boot brand Adidas.

The new agreement will see the Champions League winners wear Adidas branded football shirts until the end of 2017. Under the new deal Adidas will also design, produce, distribute and promote a wide range of non-sport related A.C. Milan merchandising articles.

“We have been partners with A.C. Milan since 1998 and this has allowed us to share so many exciting victories. And we are looking forward to many more incredible seasons like this past one,” said Herbert Hainer Chairman and CEO of the Adidas Group.

“Every day Adidas and A.C. Milan will work side by side to create more innovative products and to continue making football the most beautiful sport in the world. A.C. Milan and Adidas are a strong couple. We share strategic visions, internationality and attitude to innovation,” commented Adriano Galliani, Vice President and Managing Director of A.C. Milan. “We started with a traditional supplying contract and today we officially give Adidas the worldwide licensing rights of our brand.”

The news comes barely a week after city rivals Inter signed a similar contract with Nike. Inter’s current agreement with Nike runs until 30 June 2009, and is worth around 9 million euros a season. Under the terms of the new agreement, Inter will wear Nike football shirts for the next ten years in a deal worth between 12 and 14 million euros a season, the biggest contract ever agreed between the football boot brand and a non international football team.

JJB Sports forced to part refund customers over Umbro Football Shirt rip off

JJB Sports will pay thousands of pounds back to customers who were victims of organised arrangements to fix the price of Manchester United and England replica football shirts.

The Office of Fair Trading fined seven companies, including; JJB Sports, Manchester United, Umbro, the FA and the now insolvent Allsports for fixing the price of the shirts in 2003.

JJB had appealed the decision last year, but lost. Consumer magazine Which? picked up the baton on behalf of disgruntled customers who had bought the football shirts and were issuing legal proceedings against the retailer. However, JJB settled out of court.

JJB have now agree to refund 600 people owning 1,000 shirts who contacted Which? with £20, they will pay £10 or £5 to anyone else who bought the shirts in the period, dependant on whether they still have proof of purchase, or the label is intact.

If you own one of these football shirts here is how to make a claim.