This weekend the Premier League finally kicks-off. We, for one, are really looking forward to what lies ahead and, in particular, to seeing our six Premier league clubs running out in their Umbro kits. Above, you can see six of the Umbro Design Department showing off the kits for the season ahead. Here’s a little more about them and their involvement in the kits:

Name/Kit/Role: Danielle, Manchester City (home), Developer of the MCFC ’09 kits and associated training package.

Involvement in kit: I developed the garments after receiving the designs, working on all aspects such as making sure the colour is right, as well as construction and fit of the garments. I progressed the range from prototype through to the finished article.

Dream kit – already done or yet to be done? I loved working on the MCFC ’09 project as it was such a new and exciting range for Umbro and I am proud to say that I was involved with such a successful, and well received, collection. If Umbro ever had the contract then I’d love to work on an international kit such as Brazil, as a little research trip to Rio would go down a treat!

Name/Kit/Role: James, Blackburn Rovers (home), Designer.

Involvement in kit: I created the concept for the 2009 Blackburn kit; researched and built up a story that delves into the traditions of the club but kept it contemporary  by utilising modern fabrics and techniques. I also met with the players, coaching staff, commercial team and kit man to gather insight on the performance side of what a kit needs to achieve on the pitch. Along with that, I created artworks for the crest, sponsors and trim details – making sure they were within FA and Premier League regulations, and finally worked with our great technical team to get the final product.

Dream kit – already done, or yet to be done? I have worked on a lot of teams in my time here so I can say I have done my dream kit. My favourite one was the Blackburn Rovers red/black halved away in 07/08. Ireland is also one that gives me a great deal of pride to create so that is in there. I don’t think I could pick a dream kit that I would like to do as there are several, but it would probably be between Scotland because of Umbro’s legacy and history with the national team; Celtic because of their tradition and iconic style; and Real Madrid because of the clean simplicity of the all white.

Name/Kit/Role: Ruth, West Ham United (home), Development Technician.

Involvement in kit: I didn’t actually work on these kits as I didn’t start until March this year.

Dream kit – already done, or yet to be done? I don’t really have a ‘dream kit’ but I do think Barcelona are commendable for their commitment to charity, and wearing the UNICEF logo on their shirts. Also, I’m led to believe it’s quite a nice city and worth a visit!

Name/Role: Robin, Birmingham City (home), Licensed Apparel Product Line Merchandiser

Involvement in the kit: My involvement with the kit is working with our Design Team to formalise the design direction for any given season; and on completion, for then to work with the sales team together with the guys that look after the clubs to ensure the kit delivers the aesthetic the club have bought into.

Dream kit – already done, or yet to be done? Regarding a dream kit to work on, as the top team in England I’d have to say that the Man United kit would be the best. But, with years of playing in a half built stadium, I think it’s about time Halifax Town got some preferential treatment.

Name/Role: Susan, Sunderland FC (home), Development Technician

Involvement in kit: Unfortunately I didn’t work on the jerseys as I have only been with the company a few months. I am currently working on training wear for Sunderland, amongst other clubs, for next season.

Dream kit – already done, or yet to be done? If I had to pick a dream kit to work on, it would be the Scotland Jersey. Hopefully, in the future, Umbro will make their kits again!

Name/Role: Dan, Hull City (home). I design apparel for all types of football from small sided to 11 a side training product. My role involves a lot of research directly from players and consumers every bit of info they give us goes straight back into the clothing we design for them.

Involvement in kit: Unfortunately I didn’t work on the Hull shirt but as I say a lot of the research we do for training product is picked up for kit and vice versa.  Ultimately players benefit from wearing a similar product for training as they do on the pitch, it stops anything from feeling or performing differently on match day.

Dream kit – already done, or yet to be done? If I could choose any kit to work on it would have to be the England kit, its the Golden goose of kit design a lot of pressure but definitely worth it. However on the other hand I wouldn’t mind giving the Millwall home kit a go.

To all the dedicated bloglins…

Alongside Tom and Sharan I will be posting regularly on all things football. Covering all topics creative based… from graphic design, art, and photography to fashion and music.

I hold fort at the Dale St. design studio… and will keep you up to date on all that I see. There’s some incredible things coming out of here… keep your eyes open

Stephen

Okay, now I would never usually wish for job adverts to go on this blog but this one I think is a bit different!  We are looking for a person to run/manage our soon to open Design Studio, which will be located in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. This space will be a living, evolving place where apparel designers will work, and artists and designers will gather to learn and share information and inspiration. A portion of the space will be dedicated to an exchange where all things football will be curated, displayed, and sold: Memorabilia, collectables, ephemera, media, one-off apparel pieces, and the hard-to-find. And the third part of the space will be a gathering place for design and craft guild projects, and special events.

The design studio will have strong links with this blog and I am really looking forward to when it is all up and running.  Below is a more of a description of the person we are looking for, rather than the job itself.  If you think this is you then drop me a mail at blog@umbro.co.uk and I will pass your details onto the relevant person.

• First and foremost, a deep love of and passion for  the game of football
• Living in, or with history and roots in  Manchester
• An understanding of design
• Some business experience
• Coordinating the staff and the day to day running  of the space
• Understanding and pursuing community  outreach
• Strong roots in modern culture; music, art,  design
• Always on top of trends
• A ton of energy
• Always thinking about a fresh creative approach,  always searching for the unexpected, always reaching

The person will have to be multi dimensional, multi faceted with a keen ability to keep things together, move things forward, push things to change and evolve; with one eye always on the big picture, but a grass roots ability to handle the day to day.  I doubt if this person exists in resume readable form, but rather just IS.  We’ll be talking more about our plans for the Design Studio here on the blog in the coming weeks.