The newest England Football home shirt was released in the United Kingdom on 1st April 2009 three days after the match against Solvakia which resulted in a home win, 2-1 for England. The shirt worn that night would be the England Shirt worn by thousands of supporters who would travel to the World Cup in Africa in the summer.
The players lined up in the new kit much aghast to younger supporters who are more familiar with the national team portraying red and white as a national symbol. Instead they were confronted with an almost all white kit bar the navy display of the Three Lions and a token red Umbro logo. They may have been forgiven for thinking it was the national England cricket team that had run out.
All white is pretty and smart and reminiscent of the 1966 team's England shirts however such a lack in display of the red of the St. George's Flag goes against most of the following's true nature. That surprise was to be met a year later with glee when fans worldwide witnessed players running out in an amazing all red England away shirt. The contrasts finally being realised by the Football Association 'Tailored by England' England shirts design team.
This would also be the first year that technology met personalisation. Each and every player was summoned to Umbro HQ (maybe they were visited at home), and each of the England shirts, socks and shorts were designed specifically to fit each player. Fans and supporters queued outside Umbro for their personal fitting but were seemingly turned away.
England didn't go on to repeat the 1966 World Cup Victory but not many believed they could and while the all white England shirts and kit brought misery for its remaining years, the 2009/11 England shirt has seen more success but thankfully for those who believe in taboo, it will once again, only last two years to 2011.