Our friends over at Statesidefooty.com have unveiled the newest home kit for the US. Now I must say that Nike and the US have missed out on the last 2 of their 3 kits they unveiled. I thought that the white with the red and blue down the left side was a nice kit. In fact I own one, but the retro blue with the red and white going horizontally across the chest was a misque and the blue they wore in the Copa America was horrible. But this one I like.

Solid white with small red stripes and blue around the collar and sleeves is a nice look. Though not the best I have seen this year from Nike, it does rank up there with some of the best. This kit deserves 4 out of 5 from me. It’s simple yet busy, usually a hard combination to get.

Going back over a decade for this kit, it’s the England Away kit for 1994-95. This is one of the nicer, yet oddest kits that the English have worn over their luxurious playing days. However, considering the times this kit was right up there with the best.

Utilizing the solid red that England is so known for, Umbro incorporated a navy blue collar and the crest on the left chest. That’s all that is unique about this kit…oh yeah, aside from the Umbro logos and Three Lions Crest throughout the background of the kit. In today’s game this kit is way too busy for my liking, however back in 1994 it was perfectly acceptable and actually really liked among the fans and other teams. It is a unique concept, but do not see this coming back in the new Away kit when it is unveiled. This kit will get 3 out of 5 stars because of its originality.

Don’t forget to pre-order the new England Away Kit here!

Buy Your 1994-95 England Away Kit Here

Continuing the theme of England away kits before the launch of the newest, we are looking at the 1997-98 England Away kit that was worn in France 1998. Much nicer than the previous version, this one has more color and unique style to it.

Taking the same design of the kit from Umbro but making it completely red was the first step to a nicer kit. Add the navy blue collar and you have true England colors. The Three Lions are in the center like the previous kit, but what really makes this kit unique is the England flag embedded in the top. The Cross of King George is clear and would make any English person or fan proud. This one is much nicer, but not the nicest by any means. This kit deserves nothing more than 3 out of 5 stars.

Don’t forget to pre-order the new England Away Kit here!

Buy Your 1997-98 England Away Kit Here

With the anticipation regarding the release of the new England Away Kit, I thought I would post the 1996-97 Away Kit that the Three Lions donned on the pitch back in the day. Just a little change of pace.

This kit was not like any kit you have seen England wear today, aside from the manufacturer, Umbro, and the Three Lions badge. Aside from those two traits this is a kit that is like nothing you will see them wear, hopefully ever again. I did not like this particular kit because of the color. Grey is extremely drab and depressing, not a good look for argueably one of the best teams in the world…though they did not prove it under Mclaren (but that’s another post). What I do like about the kit is the different greys on it. It’s not just one depressing grey…it’s two depressing greys, but it still makes a nice contrast. The collar adds a nice touch as it is clean and pressed to the shirt, would not mind seeing this come back a little bit with the new kit. And of course the badge is centered directly in the middle of the shirt, where it would be for years to come. Overall not too bad of a kit, not Umbro’s best work, but consider the time it was released. Overall I think it is no better than 3 stars.

Don’t forget to pre-order the new England Away Kit here!

Buy Your 1996-97 England Away Kit Here

So you all are up to date with everything, Umbro has delayed the release of the 2008-10 England Away Kit until March 12th. However, our friends over at Subside Sports have unveiled a beautiful Fabio Capello shirt that will be given away free when you pre-order the new England away kit, or you can buy the shirt itself.

Taken on the theme of such Mafia shows as the “Sopranos” and the “Godfather” movie series, the shirt shows a picture of Fab Capello’s face with “Fabio Capello. England. Redefined.” The kicker is the second “L” in Capello is shaped like a gun pointing up. Great shirt, a must for any die hard England fan. Head on over and see the shirt for yourself, you will be glad you did!

Buy Your Fabio Capello Shirt Here

World Cup Champion Italy has unveiled their 2008-09 Home Kit. This is the same home kit that will be worn for the Euro 2008 Tournament.

The Italians have always had nice kits. From the days of Roberto Baggio to the present, the blue and white has always seemed to be one of the nicer kits in the world. The new away kit is by far one of my favorites, but where does this new home kit stand? Well to be completely honest with you I think it a spectacular kit. It’s simplicity is in the solid blue that is not contrasted by any more than the gold around the collar and sleeves. The gold brings out the Championship stars in the badge and makes sure you know there are now 4 stars there. Overall this kit is extremely simple and clean, but does not jump out and say I’m perfect. So for me it is a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Buy Your Italy Home Kit Here

Believe it or not I could not find a decent shot of the away kit that Blackpool will wear this season…so you’ll have to just deal with the beautiful blonde sporting it.

Though I do not know who makes it, I do like the color scheme of a white kit with the orange markings. This is exactly the opposite of the home kit that is orange and white, both are extremely nice looking. Finding a decent picture of the kits was a bit difficult, so if you want to see them just click on the picture below and take a look around their website. This kit easily gets a 3 out 5 stars, and if they look as good on the players as they do on the model that number could jump up!

Buy Your Blackpool Away Kit Here

When Barnsley travels outside of their home stadium and takes the pitch against an opponent, they will do so in a great looking away kit. Manufactured by Surridge, this kit has everything that I ask for in a kit…simplicity and elegance.

Barnsley officials and Surridge took a dark beige color and made it the primary color for the kit. The dark blue from the crest is apparent in the collar and in the piping down the sides and on the end of the sleeves. Add a sponsor logo and the crest on the left chest and there you have it. I really like the colors of this kit and how they incorporated the blue from the crest into various parts of the kit. This kit derserves 3 out of 5 like the home kit. Nothing special, but still a classic looking kit.

Buy Your Barnsley Away Kit Here

In the division of English football that is just below the Premiership is the Coca-Cola Championship League. Each year teams vie for the opportunity to be promoted into the Premiership and become a top club on a superior level. Barnsley is no different as they take on opponents in their home stadium in a stunning solid red kit.

This kit reminds me a lot of the old Liverpool kits, with the solid red top and white piping down the side. Made by manufacturer Surridge, its simplicity is noticeable and the only other color is white on the collar. Add the sponsor logo in the center and the crest on the left chest and you have a great looking kit. In my opinion it deserves no more than 3 out of 5 stars. Great looking kit, but nothing special.

Buy Your Barnsley Home Kit Here

It has not been unveiled yet, nor will I speculate on what it will look like. I refuse to give the readers anything but the truth, so just be on the lookout as it will be unvieled early in February and I expect it to look great! Check back in early February to see the new England Away Kit!

Pre-Order You New England Away Kit Here