Manchester City 2010/2011: goalies, tonal shorts and stripey socks
Taking a closer look at the new Manchester City kits for 2010/2011 after revealing them on Monday, we wanted to highlight some of the extra special aspects of these kits that you’ll soon be able to see in close up on the pitch.
Shay Given and Joe Hart will be battling it out for the No.1 jersey for City this year, but whoever catches it will be wearing this all black jersey. Apart from the colour, the shirt is identical to the club’s new home kit, complete with elements such as the pinstripe on the front panel, and the sharp performance pieces included in each of the three components. This helps to make the statement that, although he stands out as a specialist on the pitch, the keeper is an essential part of the same unit as the outfield player.
For both home and away, City’s shorts this year will have a smart tonal look. With the club’s crest and the Umbro logo in the same colour as the shorts, they’ll look smart and stylish as part of the whole kit. The shorts are also shaped ergonomically to make them as comfortable as possible for the players on the pitch.
It’s the socks that have been getting the most attention amongst City’s fans though! The home socks have caught the eyes thanks to a maroon stripe, a nod to some of the club’s classic kits from the early 1990s. On the away kit, a striking set of sky blue hoops cuts through the navy blue, an element that brings the club’s home colours away with the club when they travel, whilst also offering increased visability on the pitch.
It’s these elements, along with the white cuffs on the club’s home shirt that are directly inspired by City’s 1960s and 1970s heyday, that exemplify the depth of detail that goes into the kits. Tailored by Umbro, we hope they’ll inspire the players and fans onto success in the forthcoming season. For more pictures of all elements of the new Manchester City kits, take a look at our special set over on Flickr.
On 4 Aug 2010, at 12:26 pm Harlandos wrote:
This sounds silly but do the umbro socks have l and r on then because each sock is supposed to be worn in specific feet?
On 4 Aug 2010, at 1:54 pm Corey Levine wrote:
Yes and no. They can be worn on either foot. They’re not like shoes, but Umbro’s parent-company, Nike, has be doing this for some time. It’s to reduce stretch in the foot area. Obviously if you wear a sock on your left and then put it on your right the foot area ends up getting a little stretched after a while. Labeling the socks helps the player use the socks on the same foot every time extending the comfort and life of the socks. But if you wanted they can be worn on either foot.
On 5 Aug 2010, at 2:09 am Nick wrote:
Erm, re. the home socks – I believe you mean they’re a nod to those worn in the 60s/early 70s, not early 90s.
Harlandos – I believe you’re correct. Last season’s socks didn’t have these instructions however.
On 5 Aug 2010, at 8:59 pm Harlandos wrote:
Good stuff guys…I’m wearing my Southampton socks on the correct foot this year..it’s going to make all the difference!
On 6 Aug 2010, at 2:49 am Nick wrote:
Aaron – on the Umbro flickr stream it says “This photo was taken on September 28, 2008 using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II” – surely that’s referring to the actual Umbro logo rather than the kits – they weren’t designed that long ago, were they?
On 8 Aug 2010, at 1:49 pm Tim wrote:
Nick – I’m guessing the internal battery has died and the photographer didn’treset the time and date. All my photos are apparently taken on 1/1/00 simply because I can’t be bothered to reset it ever time I change the batteries.
As Umbro and Etihad were not involved with City in September 2008, I highly doubt the photo was actually taken then.
On 12 Aug 2010, at 2:36 am Nick wrote:
Tim – ah ok fair enough. Wasn’t sure of the gestation time of kits, although I’m pretty sure that Umbro would’ve conceived their first batch of kits in early ’09, possibly earlier.
On 12 Aug 2010, at 9:56 pm Tim wrote:
I think on another article, someone at Umbro said that the last set of City kits were designed after the England kit – likely in spring 2009, after all of Umbro’s other club kits had been designed. I was told that usually the kit designs are finalised about 12 months before release.