Getting the same football boots to emulate your favourite player is a given.

The fact that you more resemble a sumo wrestler rather than Ronaldo, Messi or Gerrard is of no matter. Same boots. Same talent!

Now, thanks to Umbro, us amateurs can take the looky – likey stakes to a greater high with a new range of training wear which will see us through the end of season run in and in to the summer.

And there’s nothing like being dressed in the correct equipment to watch Europe’s best footballers (minus all those from the Home Nations and the Irish Republic) in Austria and Switzerland!

Incorporating style, technology and fashion Umbro’s SX and Diamond Pro ranges guarantee performance and comfort both on and off the pitch.

SX is a cross-category concept encompassing apparel, footwear, equipment and luggage. A firm favourite with likes of John Terry, Michael Owen and Manchester City goal keeper Joe Hart as pictured on our home page, the SX range is a showcase of Umbro performance technologies, offering innovative fabrics and styling for comfortable day-to-day wear.

The SX range features sophisticated ‘climate control’ assisting the transfer of moisture away from the body, allowing players to maintain the optimum body temperature throughout their training session. At least it will do for all of you who manage to get a sweat on during training - at Footy Boots, we tend to go for a lie down when the going gets tough. All we need now is for Umbro to come up with the ‘training duvet’ and we’re laughing.

We’re not sure at Footy Boots if St George, the patron saint of England, was a football fan or not or though chances are if he was, he would have had a lot of choice as to who to support.

St George, as it happens, was born in Anatolia, now part of modern day Turkey so they might have got his vote. Equally, he could have been behind the boys from Italy as he served as a soldier in the Roman Empire. Indeed, as well as England, St George is the patron saint of quite a number of countries including Canada, Greece, Ethiopia and Montenegro.

However, with his English hat on, St George’s day has been marked in some style by national team kit supplier Umbro, who have decked out all of Carnaby Street in London with the England 2008 away shirt.

If you happen to be in London with some time to kill (as opposed to dragons) you can go and check it out. Alternatively, take a look right here on Footy Boots.

Having secured the services of Perry Groves amongst some intense competition from a number of other football web sites including www.didntheusedtobeaginger.com and the ever poular and respected www.groveswasbetterthanronaldinho.co.uk, Perry has been on the training ground for his first Footy Boots video boot report.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the former Arsenal star and now Sky Sports pundit, will be testing various football boots including the SprintFit, AdiPure, Tiempo Legend II, V1.08, and Nomis Glove.

Umbro SX Valor 

This week, the 1987 League Cup winner has been trialling the Umbro SX Valor, as worn by Chelsea and England’s John Terry.

Our Perry might not be at his ‘spring chicken’ best any more (in fact it’s more like Kentucky Fried Chicken these days) but his football brain is still as sharp as ever. Find out what he made of the SX Valor by watching here.

In celebration of the launch of the new England away kit, Umbro has created a special edition England colourway of its celebrated SX Valor worn by John Terry and the SX Flare, the preferred choice of striker Michael Owen. Both boast bold red, white and blue colour schemes, indicative of the pride and passion that each of them play with when wearing their England shirts, provided Fabio picks them of course.

According to Umbro, their collaboration with Michelin (which sadly doesn’t include a free restaurant guide) serves to greatly enhance touch and feel for the ball, whilst players’ comfort is also taken care of thanks to the water resistant, ultra soft, high-grade leather, which keeps the feet dry.

As for which football boots us mere mortals should choose, Terry’s Valor lends itself to defenders in particular, so we can assume that they’ll automatically lump the ball in to row Z when the wearer is under pressure. The focus is on comfort, safety and control. A lightweight TPU heel counter and new kontact outsole with carbon fibre rigidity shank has been designed to keep the player’s foot stable and protected during the cut and thrust of the modern game.

See the SX Valor Boot Test with Perry Groves

Owen’s SX Flare meanwhile is probably not for the Saturday night kebab specialist having been designed for quick and skilful players as the lightweight material maximises pace and acceleration. The technology of the SX Flare will also aid control as well as looking after the players comfort and safety.

Viewers of Watchdog will be delighted to know that both football boots, which are on sale now, feature Umbro’s no nonsense control series labelling, which cuts out the jargon and explains the technology in clear, simple terms.

There are certain key questions in football that just beg to be answered. Just how did Johan Cruyff come up with ‘that ‘ turn, was the ball really over the line in 1966 and how did sports brand Umbro get its name?

Well, OK, perhaps the latter isn’t exactly a burning issue, but nonetheless Footy Boots has been investigating the history of the Umbro brand from its humble beginnings to being a founding partner of the new Wembley Stadium.

Umbro’s rise to becoming a global player in sport began in 1920 in Wilmslow, Cheshire with the opening of Humphrey Brothers Clothing. The company traded for four years until some bright spark (nowadays no doubt called a marketing consultant on a highly inflated daily rate) came up with the name Umbro by taking the UM from Humphreys and BRO from Brothers. Ever since they have been associated with some of the greatest national and international sides.

In their early days however, they were more concerned with manufacturing PT kit for the armed forces and by 1930, business was so good both at home and abroad that Umbro developed 10,000 square feet of new warehouse space at its Wilmslow base and built a brand new factory in Macclesfield.

In 1934 and 1935, Umbro celebrated national success in association with FA Cup winners Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Come the outbreak of the Second World War, Umbro simply moved from sportswear production to army clothing whilst also taking a hand in producing internal fittings for Lancaster bombers. As peace was reached across Europe, yet another new factory was commissioned, this time in Stockport.

But it was in the late 50’s and 60’s when Umbro really started to make its mark on the world market. In 1958 Brazil wore Umbro kit as they won the World Cup, a feat they repeated 4 years later. Then at the ’66 competition, an astonishing 15 out of the 16 competing nations, including hosts and winners England, wore the Umbro brand. The World Cup success story continued as Brazil won again in 1970.

Indeed, Umbro’s association with Brazil was enhanced in 1985 when their football boots were sold there for the first time. Just two years later, and those same boots were actually being manufactured in the South American country. Since then, some of the world’s greatest players have worn Umbro boots including Roberto Carlos, Alan Shearer (now an ambassador for the company) and the 2001 European player of the year and then SX Flare football boot wearer Michael Owen.

The company, now based in Cheadle, celebrated 80 years of football history in 2004 before in 2007, agreeing to be bought by Nike for £285 million. The brand name however is still strongly linked with the Football Association and Umbro continues as the official sports manufacturer of the FA Cup and is an official sponsor of the new Wembley Stadium.

Key Umbro dates in history

1920 - Harold C.Humphrey’s starts a small workshop in Wilmslow, Cheshire
1924 - Humphrey Brothers becomes Umbro
1934 - Manchester City win the FA Cup Final in Umbro
1935 - Sheffield Wednesday follow the success of Manchester City in Umbro
1958 - Brazil wins the World Cup wearing Umbro
1962 - Brazil wins the World Cup wearing Umbro
1966 - 15 out of the 16 participating teams wear Umbro
1966 - England win the World Cup wearing Umbro
1970 - Brazil wins the World Cup in Umbro
1985 - First Umbro boot introduced in Brazil
1987 - First Umbro boot manufactured in Brazil
1994 - Brazil wins the World Cup in Umbro
1999 - Renaissance of UMBRO - new ownership, new vision “Umbro The Football Authority”
1999 - Manchester United wins the treble in Umbro
2000 - Umbro introduces revolutionary new Sportswool material
2000 - Launch of XAI football boot technology
2001 – Michael Owen wins European Footballer of the Year
2002 - Umbro sign a new contract with The English FA extending the relationship until 2010.
2002 - Umbro develops the first reversible jersey for an international team.
2004 – Umbro celebrate 80 years of footballing history
2007 - Wembley Stadium re-opens with Umbro as a founding partner

As football fans, we all know that it is our right to pass an opinion, have a moan, issue a gripe or just enjoy a cleansing and therapeutic rant from time to time. Whether in the pub with mates, on the phone with a friend or dispatching a few ‘Billy No Mates’ lagers in the comfort of our own living rooms, that is what supporting the beautiful game is all about.

We can take issue with football’s authorities, rival managers and players, opposing fans or indeed, anything or anybody that doesn’t meet our exacting standards. With radio and TV phone in’s, message boards and forums, there are a multitude of venues to spout off.

And now, thanks to Umbro, there is now another avenue for our thoughts and opinions, following the launch of what the company is describing as ‘the most comprehensive football survey ever, allowing fans to express their views on all aspects of the game from players’ lifestyles and goal line technology to terracing and, perhaps most importantly of all, the quality of the matchday pie.

As the survey, which is being backed by former England International and BBC pundit Alan Shearer, rolls out across the year, fans will be able to vote on existing topics as well as adding their own questions to put to the rest of the football fraternity, ensuring all the hot topics from around the globe are covered.

In Umbro’s ‘Have Your Say’ survey, fans will be invited to take part in the year long experiment, resulting in what is hoped to be the most definitive collection of supporter’s opinions ever created. When the whistle’s blown on the end of the survey, Umbro will compile the results into a comprehensive document which it will present to football’s major governing bodies around the world. Whilst it remains to be seen if Sepp Blatter will then feel obliged to launch a full scale enquiry in the quality of the match day grub on offer at Cambridge United or the manager’s programme notes at Sporting Lisbon it’s just possible that your views may make a difference.

If you’ve got an opinion, Umbro wants to hear it. So don’t just tell your mates over a post match beer – tell the football world at large.

Give your point of view at www.umbro.com/have-your-say

Having been left warming the bench for the friendly international against Switzerland last time out, Michael Owen probably needs all the help he can get to impress new England supremo Fabio Capello. So it’s perhaps timely that Umbro have recently introduced the Umbro SX Flare football boot which is being endorsed by the Newcastle striker.

Designed for players who list pace amongst their best attributes, the Umbro SX Flare has been constructed with speed of foot in mind and thanks to the advanced sprint fit, the player is always positioned ‘on their toes’. Coupled with the light weight material, it eases acceleration and aids pace - provided that is, you’ve got some to start with. If you’re a 19 stone, Sunday morning plodder, even with a pair of these on, it’s unlikely your nickname will be changed any time soon from ‘Big John’ to ‘Sharpish’. Added to that the Umbro SX Flare also recognises all other aspects of a modern football boot including control, comfort and safety.

The player’s comfort is taken care of thanks to the water resistant ultra soft high-grade leather keeping the feet dry and thanks to Michelin technology, touch and feel for the ball are enhanced. Safety and those all important metatarsals are addressed via the lightweight TPU heel counter and outsole with glass fibre rigidity shank keeping the player’s foot stable and protected at all times.

Importantly, if spending your valuable time reading manufacturers mumbo jumbo isn’t your thing, you’ll doubtless be delighted to know that the Umbro SX Flare is the latest football boot to feature Umbro’s no nonsense Control Series labelling, cutting out the jargon and explaining the technology in clear, simple terms.

That said, there is, as with any new football boot, a long list of impressive manufacturers information which for the Umbro SX Flare includes:

An ultra soft high grade “water resistant ceramic duratec kangaroo leather” which gives great feel for the ball along with excellent anti-abrasion performance and weight reducing water resistant properties.

Michelin technology in the medial kangaroo suede vamp of the boot with the touch control system that is enhanced by the PU print application. The heel counter is lightweight PU that provides excellent heel protection for the athlete.

The anatomical insock of the Umbro SX Flare boot is made from compression moulded EVA, providing high level shock absorption under extreme conditions. The outsole features a high performance TPU that also gives pronation control and metatarsal protection.

The outsole is completed by the glass fibre rigidity shank and Umbro’s wishbone components.The Umbro SX Flare is available in soft ground outsole that has 8 removable studs and the hard ground metal tipped version that Umbro says is now becoming very popular with professional players around the country.

Good job they’ve decided to ditch the jargon.

For those players wanting to further impress their team mates, the Umbro SX Flare can be personalised with your shirt number and initials. However, individuals such as Paul Richard Arthur Thomas or Gareth Ignacio Turnbull should seriously consider whether this would be a good move

This new Umbro boot comes in a variety of colours, white, navy and red, seemingly being the most popular and retails at £99.99.

You can order your very own pair here.

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!

Pre-Order the Shirt Now

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 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

Umbro has cut its 2008 production of England football shirts by two-thirds to one million as the football boot brand’s takeover by Nike gathers speed.

Following England’s failure to qualify for the 2008 European Championships, the Cheshire based football boot brand, which holds a nine year football shirt supply deal with the England football team, has reduced its production of England football shirts to the lowest number since 2001.

More than two million replica England home football shirts are expected to be left unsold this year after the national team’s dismal run of form under Steve McClaren. Umbro’s Chief Executive, Steve Makin, has admitted Umbro are “going to have a tough year” and as such has made the decision to reduce the number of England away football shirts put into the market next year to ensure this year’s stock sells through. The new 2008 England away football shirt goes on sale on February 9.

Meanwhile, sports retailer Sports Direct, already committed to buying two thirds of all England football shirts produced by Umbro, saw its shares plunge 15 per cent following England’s defeat.

Mr Makin is keen to accelerate Umbro’s overseas expansion into countries such as China to help plug the gap created by England’s failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 championship in Austria and Switzerland. The football boot brand of choice for England captain John Terry expects to generate 80 per cent of its turnover from international markets by 2010, up from the present 60 per cent, and is also targeting new ventures in Italy and Brazil.

Despite this latest setback for Umbro, American sportswear giant Nike moved closer to completing a £285 million takeover by posting its offer document to the British company’s shareholders. Nike requires approval from investors holding 75 per cent of Umbro’s shares, and is expected to complete the takeover by 3 March, 2008.

In the immediate aftermath of Nike’s offer to purchase Umbro, JJB acquired a 10% share in Umbro, whilst Sports Direct doubled its stake to 30%. Analysts believe that the two retailers have taken stakes to protect their negotiating positions with Nike and Umbro, two of their biggest suppliers.

Mr Makin said: “You would have to ask Mike [Ashley] about his intentions, but the level of investment that Nike plans to put into the brand has got to be good for everyone. The product development they can bring to bear and the investment means the product will be more fashionable and technically advanced. That will benefit all stakeholders.”

Introducing the Umbro SX Valor

Background

The new Umbro SX Valor is packed full of performance enhancing technology guaranteed to give players of all levels a welcome mid season boost. The Valor is an all round football boot focusing on comfort, safety and control.

The Umbro SX Valor is scheduled to be worn for the first time by John Terry in Chelsea’s away game at Derby County on Saturday, provided the England captain has recovered from his recent injury problems.

Umbro SX Valor

Comfort

The Umbro SX Valor is composed of ultra soft high grade ‘water resistant ceramic duratec kangaroo leather’ for great ball feel and excellent anti-abrasion performance, whilst keeping the player’s foot dry in wet conditions. The football boot’s profile has been developed on the wider comfort fit last to give the foot more space to breathe.

Safety

When it comes to safety the Umbro SX Valor features a lightweight TPU heel counter providing excellent heel protection, as well as an anatomical insock to give high level shock absorption in extreme conditions. The new kontakt outsole with carbon fibre rigidity shank is designed to improve foot stability and protection on soft, firm and hard ground surfaces.

Control Series

The SX Valor is the latest Umbro football boot to feature the Touch, Impact and Motion Control Series:

TOUCH CONTROL enhances physical contact for comfort, feel and grip
IMPACT CONTROL provides protection from opponents and the elements
MOTION CONTROL enhances superior movement and provides stability

The SX Valor has a revolutionary Michelin technology suede vamp and a PU print application and also features a fully shaped leather flip over tongue with velcro fastener.

The soft ground version features 8 removable studs for use on soft natural surfaces, whilst the firm ground option is comprised of 13 traditional moulded studs for use on firm and hard natural surfaces.

Players: John Terry
Price: £99.99
Availability: November 2007
Colours: Black/White/Saffron
Sizes: 6-12

See the SX Valor Boot Test with Perry Groves