Staff Profile: Elliott Smith
Name: Elliott 
How long have you been here and what do you do?
I’ve worked at Umbro for just under a year and a half, beginning by scanning in the company archive of images, cuttings and PR. 30,000 or so images later I’m now the Global Brand Marketing Administrator dealing with our licensees around the world and supporting the Marketing team.
What would other people say you did?
It changes from day to day, I don’t think I’ve worked in such a varied and entertaining job. In the next couple of weeks I’ll be working on photographing more of our old kits, which basically means laughing at some absolute horrors from the past.
How is Umbro changing?
When I have friends telling me that they wouldn’t buy an England shirt until now, then I think it shows that Umbro is moving in a new direction. The shift in the company has been massive over the past year or so. I think the company is looking at the best parts of its history and bringing it forward with modern day design, which can’t be a bad thing in my opinion.
Where would you like to see it going?
Becoming the number one British icon; I think with our recent kit launches we are off to a good start to becoming this.
What do you think is the best/worst kit that Umbro has produced?
My favourite kit in our archive is the 60s Sweden shirt, there’s something about it that just works – though I can’t put my finger on it. Worst is the Mexico goalkeeper’s kit that Jorge Campos wore. It should have come with a health warning to wearers and viewers. Close second would be the grey Manchester United shirt, I don’t need to say anything about it as it speaks for itself.
What memory of football do you hold most dear?
Playing five-a-side tournaments back home in Huddersfield. I won a medal and a voucher to Woolworths; to a six year old that automatically makes you better than any other footballer under the sun (scientific fact).
If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be…
Struggling to score on Pro Evo, but this is the normal situation with Pro Evo for me, anyway. I am rubbish.
On 9 Aug 2009, at 1:03 am Angelo Trofa wrote:
I wanna design football/sports apparel, and work for UMBRO iv given my blogsite….what do I do?
peace and love.
Angelo
On 12 Aug 2009, at 2:53 pm tom wrote:
Hi Angelo.
If you send your CV and portfolio over to blog@umbro.co.uk I will gladly pass it over to the relevant people.
Cheers,
Tom
On 14 Aug 2009, at 11:53 am Simon Lambert wrote:
Hi,
I have tried to post a message here earlier but i think it may have been rejected as it had a url in it. I have removed it so hopefully it will be ok.
Our company publish a unique range of children’s books centered on sport and activity.
As part of our ongoing commitment to assist in introducing children to sport at an early age, we are starting a new arm to the business from September.
We will be distributing 10,000 free books to primary schools across the UK every month.
In order to assist in the funding of this we are looking for sports advertisers.
I would like to know who it is best to contact regarding this at your company.
Many thanks for your help
Simon Lambert
On 21 Apr 2010, at 3:01 pm Paul wrote:
Dear Umbro,
I know this might not be the most appropriate place to ask you to look into my request, but short of an email address I thought I would try here 1st of all.
I am a very very big fan of you nylon shorts. These are the ones my in the late 70s and early 80s from 100% nylon, and were very shiny silky satin short shorts. Everyone wore them back them and believe you me they are great to wear, so much so, I wear nylon shorts 24/7. Here’s my question, do you have any plans to bring them back at all (even as a one off!) or do you have any old stocks you wish to sell. There are still loads of people out there who love these type of shorts, just look at eBay for example. Love to hear your views and thank you.
Thank you
Paul