Umbro Blog

christmas_giveaway

It’s the Eve of Christmas Eve, and that can only mean one thing…the last day of the Umbro Christmas Giveaway! Thanks once again to everyone who has entered on the two previous days, and congratulations to our winners so far. Today, we want to hear your football stories based around the number 2, seeing as it’s only 2 days until Christmas – bet you didn’t see that coming, did ya? So it could be anything from your favourite ever pair of boots, a duo of players you remember fondly, or the time that you treated yourself to two pies at half time. We’ll pick the ones that we enjoy reading the most, and they’ll get to pick something from our chimney of goodies. A few prizes have gone so far, but the ones we still have left are:

An England away shirt signed by Phil Jagielka

A pair of Umbro Speciali boots signed by Michael Owen

A Sunderland shirt signed by the whole team

A Nottingham Forest shirt signed by the whole team

A Hull City shirt signed by Geovanni

A pair of Umbro Speciali boots signed by Pepe

A pair of goalkeeper gloves signed by Joe Hart

Terms and conditions for the competition are available to read here.

From The Terrace

On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:13 am Daniel wrote:

I refer you to my ‘number 4′ post as this can also be applied to number 2!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:18 am Gee_76 wrote:

I would have to say Allan Johnston and Nicky Summerbee as my 2, Watching these guys flying down theach wing supplying ammo for Quinn and Phillips another 2 no pun intented is my best memory of supporting the lads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD39jUpMcRQ <–magic

Although now with a new crop of stars coming through the youth system ie Jordan Henderson and Ryan noble the time to be a Sunderland Supporter is a good one

All the best Umbro have a nice Xmas
On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:32 am Loyd wrote:

2- two shirts I like.
Give me the Umbro Specialli Boots!
Merry Christmas!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:47 am Vic Russell wrote:

Hoping to witness my 2nd England penalty win and one that really counts this time…

Since the year of my birth (1988), England have one precisely one of the six penalty shootouts that they have been involved in.

Italia 90 – semis, Pearce and Waddle start 20 years of penalty heartache
Euro 96 – Seaman’s heroics in the quarterfinal penalty shootout end in yet more disappointment as Southgate sends us out in the semis
World cup 98 – Batty ensures the tournament ends in tears
Euro 04 – quarters, Becks skies his penalty then Vassel misses to ensure Portugal progress
World Cup 06 – quarters, Ronaldo ensures portugal have the last laugh again

World cup 2010 – bring on penalty win number 2, ideally against the Germans!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:55 am Claire Levers wrote:

My story for the number 2 is Linvoy Primus, an inspiration to many I feel. Not onlyid he put 110% into his football career, he is a Christian and runs the Faith and football charity. The faith and football charity is set up in order to raise money for children in India.

They do a competition in the schools to get young people to work as a team, to raise money, put on events and the winner gets to visit a country in India to see how the money and work they did over the 5 months benefited others.

Thats the first reason why Linvoy Primus is amazing, the second is that he put alot of effort into his work at Portsmouth. He recognised he wasn’t the best player in the world, or at the club, but the committment was there, his heart was there, the loyalty was there and thats what made Linvoy so great. There is currently a campaign to get him a MBE which I think he deserves through what he has done. Big it up for the current Portsmouth number 2 LINVOY PRIMUS for a fantastic life achievement He deserves it, and people should follow his example x
On 23 Dec 2009, at 11:02 am NoodlesBoo wrote:

Just to be the first to add a not so proper number 2 fact! My other half was once caught short in his footie shorts whilst playing a game..nice, luckily everyone thought the brown strips down his legs was mud!! ha ha Merry Chrimbo guys!!!! Mwah ha ha ha xxxxx *kissmas hugs and cheer* xxxxx
On 23 Dec 2009, at 11:05 am Jonathan Moses wrote:

Right I really would love that Forest shirt so here goes!

2 is the number of times my under 11 team won in the league during our woeful relegation season, me scoring in both matches (see yesterdays attempt!) and the number of goals I ever scored in the league (3 in total, 1 in a friendly) I was just a little lad and those goals meant so much to me, I did a running forward roll after the first one, tears in my little eyes! The second goal was a last minute tap in from a corner and meant a lot to everyone, it was great to get a win or two after being the team everyone had battered 14-1 all season long. We were dreadful though! I’d do it all again however but maybe that’s the rose tinted glasses talking.

2 is also the amount of times Forest have conceeded more than 1 goal in a match this season! Wes Morgan and Kelvin Wilson (another 2!) are doing a fantastic job.

Best wishes.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 11:20 am Danny Godfrey wrote:

My number 2 memory is all about the current Chelsea number 2, Branislav Ivanovic, relatively unknown to many during last season. He made his name in the away game to Liverpool in the Champions League. I had 2 bets on him, one to score first and one to score last. He did neither, he scored the 2 goals inbetween the first and last. Both were headers. I wasnt too disappointed with the bets though as Chelsea just won 3-1 at Anfield!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 11:56 am Jak Smith wrote:

I used to love getting 2 chips gravy and peas for me and my sister on the way to the Sunderland match! But one day i spilt it all over my Sunderland top so i had to go all the way home and ever since that i have never bought it!!
Merry Xmas!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:29 pm Robert Storrie wrote:

this would make a fantastic Christmas for me
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:38 pm mike wrote:

2 is the number of the management team that have got Rochdale to top of Division 2 that we all know was the old division 4 they being Keith Hill and Dave Flitcroft better known as “Hillcroft”.
To keep the symmetry going it was 1974 when Rochdale was last in the old 3rd division so if promoted it will be only the 2nd time they will have achieved such distinction.

Tentative as it is Craig Dawson, perhaps THE discovery of the season wears the number 26 shirt.
Finally….
The pies at Spotland are 2nd to none you always want to eat 2 !

I promise I wont post this 2 times like last time.

If I win 2 pleases for the Sunderland shirt.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:41 pm ken wilkinson wrote:

“With only a few minutes left in hard fought Sunday League cup game I scored Two Cracking Goals and was mobbed each time by the players unfortunately it was the opposing team,they were OWN Goals.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:44 pm mike wrote:

Hmmmmm , I appear to have lost a day ?
Probably the nose bleed I am suffering from due to the High altitude of Rochdale’s current heights.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:46 pm George Jones wrote:

Loads of things link to the number 2 for me haha, like I had 2 snacks at the Villa game last Saturday, plus I played in the number 2 shirt for my school last year (well, it was my brother’s shirt).

Okay, now the real thing. This is my 2nd season for my new school, our first 11-a-side season (U20, we strangely could only play 7 a side for U16s), and well, things haven’t gone so well so far. Last season we dominated until we were well beat in the final, and in our pre season we’ve been hammered twice (7-0 and 4-0). Here’s hoping that my second season, which starts in Feb/March goes better than our pre season.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:49 pm Nathan wrote:

I just spent about 2 hours trying to write something 4 the number 3 competition whilst pretending 2 work, having just seen yesterday’s email. 2 late I guess…

Up the Reds
On 23 Dec 2009, at 12:50 pm Aaron wrote:

How have you lost a day Mike?
On 23 Dec 2009, at 1:23 pm mike wrote:

I blame the supermarkets I do!
Taking advantage of THAT look ……”look there goes another trying to win the Umbro competition ….Sell him the cheap Chardonnay”
So Iv’e lost a day what happened to the 3rd day?
That’s what happens when you try to be friendly with your local AlFresco’s staff.

Even at work they think I am odd now because I asked the question what was David Beckham doing in attempting to pass himself off with a well lousy accent as a Russian Pilot in the movie 2012. (see I got two 2′s in )
On 23 Dec 2009, at 1:45 pm John Haines wrote:

In a Liverpool v Tottenham game in 1973, Liverpool were 2-0 down, we clawed our way back to 2-2 and in injury time, Chris Lawler our steady reliable full back slotted one in along the ground, 3-2 to us . . . but I only saw this bit on Match of the Day – why? I had to have a number two!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 2:15 pm Dale Henderson wrote:

In 1996 Bradford City had 2 playoff games against Blackpool. Given we finished 6th we were at home first.
Blackpool absolutely stuffed us in all departments 2 0. Coming away from the game we were dispondent and crestfallen, there was no hope, no team had come back from 2 0 in playoff history with the away leg second.

Got to Blackpool the midweek after. Blacpool supporters had flags, scarfes, hats already printed with Wembley Playoff Final 1996 on them.

No team talk needed, we just had to beat them now, but 3 clear goals would’nt be easy, but we did it, history had been written.
We then went to the playoff final and beat Notts County 2 0. Job Done.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 2:22 pm Laura Gibbon wrote:

No.2…. Well what can I say. I represented County Durham for 2 years. When I was playing in my final year we won the final 2-1… yes we scored 2!!!!!! and won the County final!! It maybe would of been better if I wore the No.2 shirt but I actually wore No.5, but nevermind :-/. Also during this season I was scouted twice (2) by Hope Powell before being called For the England Squad. There was 22 of us called up. DOES DOUBLE TWO COUNT????? Finally this Xmas it will be my 22nd one! ho ho (h0)… merry christmas everyone
On 23 Dec 2009, at 2:32 pm Adam Brown wrote:

2- The number of Umbro Speciali’s that arrived at my doorstep yesterday, possibly the most comfortable boot out of the box!!!

2- The number of sunderland matches i have been too this year (i live in Australia) Portsmouth and Villa.

2- The number of cups i have won in my life

2- The number of goals scored by sunderland against newcastle on the 25th Oct 2008 in a 2-1 win at the Stadium of light (goals from Cisse’ and Richardson whom ended up on the back of home and away tops)
On 23 Dec 2009, at 2:56 pm Bill Steffen wrote:

2am, San Francisco, 1991 – Paul Mariner and I wander around halfway searching for more bars, halfway searching for answwers as to how we lost the APSL championship earlier that night – we found more bars, that’s about it.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 3:16 pm Adrian Clarke wrote:

The no.2 a lad was having while eating a burger with the toilet door wide open so everyone could see at a local match at thetford v saffron walden town! Put me right off the food!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 3:27 pm Debbie Hartley wrote:

I’d love that Forest Shirt!
Number 2 – here we go.
I’m a referee, and have been for 4 years, and the number 2 refers to the number of players i’ve seen running towards goal… ready to score a goal with their heads, only to keep their eyes on the ball a little too much and run body first into the goal post! As men, i’m sure you can imagine the pain suffered! Yeh, you should keep your eye on the ball.. but is it worth THAT much pain?!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 3:33 pm mike wrote:

Adrian should see the Chef’s specials at my works canteen….. 2 close 2 call either way 2 always comes to mind……….yep and I am bored on my day off!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 3:43 pm Simon wrote:

My memory of the number 2 isn`t a good one. (

26 May 1989, Division 1 title decider, Liverpool V Arsenal. Liverpool 3 points clear at the top with a better goal differance and home advantage, Arsenal needed to win by 2 clear goals…what could possibly go wrong?

Michael Thomas is what went wrong – the winning goal being scored with 23 seconds of injury time remaining!

I`ve only ever felt as gutted with a football result once before (that game being England/Argentina in ’86 – another game with 2 goals…hmmm) and to be honest its still the worst in domestic football now 20 years later.

Anyway, being a Liverpool fan this season, i`ll need ALL the prizes to cheer me up! :0)
On 23 Dec 2009, at 3:44 pm mike wrote:

The Bill Steffen?

How’s the weather m8?
On 23 Dec 2009, at 4:09 pm Andrew Ashbourne wrote:

Well here goes, 2 is the number of play off semi final 2nd legs that I have been to see forest play in. And is also the number of times I have seen us knocked out.

I was there to witness the devasting result losing to the blades after being so close to get into the final. Then I tempted fate by going to the second leg against yeovil a couple of years ago. We were two nil up from the first leg and we managed to score 2 more goals in that game but somehow we managed to throw the game away.

If we continue our form this season ( fingers crossed) and stay in the play offs, I can assure all forest fans I will stay clear and not be tempted to make it third time unlucky.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 4:33 pm Lee Gardner wrote:

My fondest memory of 2, was when our goalkeeper scored 2 mins into Injury time to preserve our league status, i have never felt such emotion at a football match as i did that day, from utter despair at the fact that we were going out of the league, to utter jubilation when Jimmy Glass scored. I have never been through such a roller coaster experience as that day in 1999. Only my new son this year topped that day
On 23 Dec 2009, at 4:34 pm Lee Gardner wrote:

oops sorry i want the pepe boots if i win
On 23 Dec 2009, at 6:18 pm Nico Cheesman wrote:

I am ten years old and I have two aims in life, 1) to be a professional football player and 2) to be able to do it for a long time!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 7:33 pm Matthew Comery wrote:

I have seen Forest say in league one for TWO seasons also I have see forest in the championship for TWO season. Forest have won TWO european cups . i also have more than Twop forest shirts . .

If i win could i please get the Nottingham Forest shirt signed by the whole squad.

yours faithfully Matthew Comery
On 23 Dec 2009, at 7:35 pm Israr wrote:

Number 2
On 23 Dec 2009, at 7:51 pm Roman Bukur wrote:

A while back, I traveled to Portland, Oregon to see Burnley play the Portland Timbers at PGE Park. Burnley was a team that I really liked because they had won promotion into the Premier League. The game started, and there was a buzz round the whole stadium, Timbers fans vs. Burnley fans.

As I remember, Portland scored first, with a far away effort by George Josten in the 13th minute. Then, in the 40th minute Robbie Blake fed a ball to Steven Caldwell, who scored a wonderful goal for the Clarets using his head.

At halftime it was all level 1-1. I had to wait awhile, all the way until the 67th minute when Burnley scored again this time from Steven Thompson. The 2 Steven’s at Burnley scored both of the goals. I thought that the Clarets would surely win, but in the 81st minute, a free kick from Portland’s Rodrigo Lopez leveled the game once again, this time at 2-2. At about this same time one of the Burnley players, Stephen Jordan, unexpectedly ran up to one of the fan’s tables, and took a sip from a gentleman’s beer!

I was shocked! I could not believe that the 2 teams were tied at 2-2, and that Mr. Jordan didn’t get cautioned. The game had to go to penalties. I had faith in Burnley and as a result they won 4-2, of course with the help of their amazing goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

That is a day I will never forget. After the game, Mr. Jordan gave his boots and his shirt to the fan that he had drank the beer from, incredible!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 8:31 pm Nathan wrote:

2 – the number of stars on our tree this Christmas.

Forest Fan Nath

(2nd attempt)
On 23 Dec 2009, at 8:35 pm denise cross wrote:

I wear two footy boots when playing footy!!!!!
On 23 Dec 2009, at 9:23 pm Maria wrote:

No 2 – the males in our house ruining mine and the girls quality tv time with their taking over of the tv for matches , highlights and any general football related news. My husband has turned my 6 year old son into a football fanatic who spends his time memorising footballers names and quizzing me on football related facts or re enacting all his passes dives and goals at football practice in the living room . Despite the breakages I wouldnt have it any other way !
On 23 Dec 2009, at 10:12 pm Robert wrote:

“Two” is the number of wrong tube trains we caught on our way to wembley! :/

In my defense it was a few years back and i`ve been since with no trouble – but that year was our first trip (an England friendly) and neither me nor my friend had ever used the tube before – it was all double dutch to us! (the story would be better now had we been playing the Netherlands, but we weren`t, sorry).

When we eventually go to Wembley we also managed to get off at the wrong tube station (Wembley central i think it was, on the high street!).

Lucikly we`d set off very early to allow for such problems, so only missed the first 20 mins before getting to our seat.

Robert.
PS I`ll have the Owen boots if chosen, thank you.
On 23 Dec 2009, at 11:41 pm Vic Russell wrote:

I’ll have the owen boots if chosen as well, a real english legend and a good penalty taker as well!
On 24 Dec 2009, at 12:19 am ERMAN ERDIN wrote:

HALLO UMBRO IST BESTE MARKE IN DER WELT
On 24 Dec 2009, at 11:10 am Umbro Blog – Seasons Greetings from Umbro wrote:

[...] Away. We picked out three favourites for the final round of entries – Dale Henderson’s tale of Bradford’s play off glory, Laura Gibbon’s 2-themed story about her call-up to the England squad, and James [...]