Is this the worst England shirt ever?

Over the years I have found myself owning a large range of football shirts, more often than not, at least one of them was an England kit. It became something of ritual, that on the eve of a major tournament I would head out to the shops and spend my well earned cash on the latest overpriced offering from the FA. For me it was part of getting involved with the excitement of the tournament.

Now I'm happy to concede England shirts have never been the prettiest of football kits, but the latest one, debuting in the game against Slovakia last night, has plumbed new depths.

It is so dull and unimaginative. Clearly its meant to be retro, harking back to English football's greatest moment 1966, with the giant 3 lions badge and bizarre collar. Instead it just looks like a chavvy t-shirt from Burtons or something Matthew Horne would wear in Gavin and Stacey!

The first thing Cat said when she saw it was 'isn't that the girls version?' which for me, sums the other major problem with this kit. It is REALLY feminine and cut in a very shapely fashion, which would seem to be a major error on the part of Umbro, as most people who buy this will be men with sizeable bellies!

But how does it compare to previous England horrors and classics- here are my top 3 of each.

Classics

The all time #1 England kit 1966

The Euro 96 shirt

The Italia 90 top
















Horrors


The Euro 96 away kit

The Euro 96 Keepers top

1997/98 home shirt
















For me, the sooner the FA get signed up with a decent kit manufacterer like Nike or Addidas, the better, as the 09/11 is one shirt I will not be buying!

Robbie Keane- what a waste,,,,

Cost £20.5 million summer 2008
Great signing, great player
Just what the reds need to back up Torres
Might actually score some goals unlike Kuyt
Sidelined
Marginalised
Sold £12 million Febuary 2009
Robbie Keane

QI: The Hat Trick

A debate broke out at church this morning during our discussion of the annual Pantygwydr Oldies vs Youngsters football match, as Naomi, not a football fan, asked why on earth scoring 3 goals was called a hat trick? A fair question we thought, and after some pretty lame attempts at figuring it out, we gave up!

But whilst watching the Villa vs Gillingham FA Cup game this afternoon, my interest was rekindled as James Milner hit a brace and then was on for his hat trick. Some swift internet research followed, and an answer emerged!

I was amazed to find the phrase originated in 1858, and was in wide enough us to be used in print just 20 years later in 1878. Mostly I associate the term 'Hat Trick' with football, but it began life as a cricketing term. It was coined when one HH Stephenson, a fine venerable Victorian gentleman I'm sure, got 3 wickets with 3 consecutive deliveries for an all England XI against the XXII of Hallam in Sheffield.

None of this explains the term itself, 'Hat Trick', which had caused such confusion. After a little more digging, I discovered in the 1800s when a sportsman achieved an special feat a collection was taken for him amongst the players and crowd (the days before professional sport remember). Naturally HH Stephenson's 3 wickets in 3 balls warranted a collection, the proceeds of which went towards buying the bowling ace a fine hat- hence 'Hat Trick'!

All of which is quite interesting and provided me with some good trivia to share with you all!

Sports Personality of the Year- what about Shane?

It's Sports Personality of the Year this Sunday, and after last year's non-event (aside from the very deserving winner) it looks like it could be a cracker. In the wake of the Olympics and other various sporting successes over the past 12 months it is a much more interesting race for the top prize.

However there was one name missing from the list that more than deserved to be there- Shane Williams. Right up front I will say I am an England supporter through and through, but I do think this was a bit of an injustice for the Ospreys winger. He played a pivotal role in Wales' 6 Nations win, broke the all time try scoring record for his nation, helped his club to the EDF Energy Cup and finally he became the first Welshman to win the IRB's player of the year award. The last player to win this award went on to pick up Sports Personality of the Year- Johnny Wilkinson (OK, he had just won a world cup too, but we wont go on about it!), so it seems wrong Shane doesn't even make the shortlist.

I don't think Shane should win, but I think at the very least he deserved a nomination. He has had a phenomenal year for club and country and somehow this seems to have passed the decision makers by.

For my part I think Rebecca Adlington should win, and probably will. The double gold she achieved this summer at the Olympics was amazing, all the more so when you consider how British swimming has been in the Olympic gold wilderness since 1960. Lewis Hamilton may be the youngest F1 champion ever, but Adlington is only 19, and when you consider she beat swimming legends like Katie Hoff of the USA on the way to her triumph, she should get the prize. Lewis Hamiltion's time will come again I'm sure.

So long sicknote...

This Saturday, an English footballing legend (for all those under the age of 30 and over the age of 23) quietly ended his long career at Dean Court in Bournmouth. Darren Anderton, the last remaining playing member of England's Euro 96 squad retired. He hangs up his boots just one short of 600 games - having made 569 club appearances for Portsmouth, Spurs, Birmingham, Wolves and Bournemouth, as well as winning 30 England caps. He had so much potential, but was hampered by constant niggling injures and consequently earned the nickname 'sicknote'.

I'm writing a blog about this because it makes me feel like an era has ended and the world has moved on. Euro 96 was the first football tournament I truly got into, and was my first experience of England losing on penalties to the Germans. Anderton retiring makes me feel older and strangley nostalgic- it is as if a link with a long gone summer and some happy memories has been snapped. Anderton was at the peak of his powers during Euro 96 when I was in year 8, playing lots of sport, listening way too obsessively to Oasis and watching Shooting Stars with Vic and Bob- coo coo!It all seems a long time ago now!

In many ways it is hugely ironic that he is the last to retire given his horrific injury record. My hat comes off to a fantastic player, who soldiered on for his love of the game, when all to many are mercenary and in it for the money!
So long Sicknote! We'll remember you for that summer in 96...