Comments on: Poll: Favourite England Kit Ever – The Winner

By: Aidan

Aidan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:14:15 +0000

I have one of these shirts a ex girlfriend bought me it, as i was born in 83. I could not wait to get it and wear it and when i do i always get loads of comments on it.
I think people like it because its a bit tacky, but its also very memorable. The thing is a nightmare on hot days tho, and its too tight 80s style haha.
Im liking the new white England strip, its classy

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:02:58 +0000

i’ve noticed on ebay that admiral are producing replicas of this shirt,except the shirt has a collar and the England badge is like something from a kids competition.

By: john b

john b — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:18:43 +0000

i’ve noticed on ebay that admiral are producing replicas of this shirt,except the shirt has a collar and the England badge is like something from a kids competition.

By: Simon Shakey Shakeshaft

Simon Shakey Shakeshaft — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:05:31 +0000

Sorry fella’s but i’m afraid Admiral have nothing to do with Adidas getting a hold in the textile production of English and Scottish club kits. That blame can be placed at the door of Umbro, who were approached by Adidas and were happy to let them take on kit production for the likes of Notts Forrest, Ipswich Town, Aberdeen and Dundee United -much to Umbro’s dismay 3 of these clubs went on to win European trophies.

Admiral originally went bust in 1980, but continued until 1983 after a high profile Dutch business man -whose name escapes me at this time- purchased the company off the back of the England “contract”. He folded the company up when he realised he was losing a lot of money and not getting the return on replica kit sales in 1983.

The airtex version of the first Admiral shirt was my favourite, and my Umbro favourite was the 1990 World Cup shirt.

By: john b

john b — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:52:43 +0000

i think les is right,its definateley a nostalgia influence,first world cup appearance for 12 years,sunny spain and a memorable world cup song and bulldog bobby(even though the kit made its debut at Europa 80).

By: John Devlin

John Devlin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:15:29 +0000

Hello Andy, like John B, 100% certain there was no blue shirt equivalent of the Admiral outfits, Steve, you’re right, the replicas did feature all detailing printed on the fabric rather than using stitched, felt or vinyl motifs. You’re also right about Admiral’s disappearance with many of their clubs switching to adidas.

Les – I totally agree!

By: Steve Browne

Steve Browne — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:30:59 +0000

I’m sure the replicas of this shirt featured the Admiral logo as well as the England badge as an integral part the fabric of the shirt, and yes, in my opinion it did leave a residue of tackiness!

Admiral secured this new deal with the FA, and shortly afterwards went into receivership. The company allegedly had a whole portfolio of new clubs and extended deals with existing clients lined up in this period, most of whom switched to adidas….thus establishing a solid foothold in the British market for the three stripes.

By: Les

Les — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:43:34 +0000

Meh, I can never understand the fuss about this shirt, is it just overall nostalgia for the early eighties? It looks cheap, and the shade of blue is all wrong for an England shirt. The Mexico ‘86 shirt was superior in every sense.

By: john b

john b — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:51:05 +0000

do not remember a blue 3rd shirt, 100% sure of that.

By: Andrew Rockall

Andrew Rockall — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:52:19 +0000

It will always be a classic for me as it is the first one I was aware of England wearing when I was a boy