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Posted: June 25th 2009
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Getting Shirty
Sky call it a bumper summer of sport and even though it’s tempting to shout them down every time they get hysterical, it is hard to argue. But the both the Lions and the Ashes have the potential to be a massive disappointment for the average sports lover so its not inappropriate to be thinking already of that perennial chocolate box of disappointment, the new football season.
I can’t get excited about transfers anymore, Ronaldo, Kaka, who cares frankly! What has got me interested in the new season is football’s annual fashion accident black spot, the release of the new kits.
This year is promising to be quite special in terms of kit development and fashion faux pas. Special mention goes to Aston Villa whose choice of an England homage White top, blue shorts is undermined by a series of publicity shots featuring Gareth Barry.
Top of the fashion disaster league will be Bolton. There’s not a great deal you can do with white, if you have class, say Real Madrid, you stay as plain as possible. If you are Bolton you allow your kit manufacturer, Reebok (purveyor of girls training shoes) to emblazon your shirts with what appears too be a giant barcode! Consumerism gone mad? Who knows but it won’t make Kevin Davies look any slimmer.
Newcastle, no strangers to woeful decision-making, have decided on a yellow and white striped away kit. A confectionary that is sure to strike fear into the hearts of championship clubs.
Chelsea appear to have a dozen or so kits to tempt their faithful (and the occasional passers by they attract), one of which appears to be Inter Milan’s kit. Is this to tempt Jose back one wonders?
Our esteemed editor will be delighted that Arsenal’s 5th kit will involve a pin stripe and neighbours Spurs will attract mixed reviews to the little Yellow decoration on all their kits. I can only assume it’s to look like they are wearing a cape?
I’ve never really warmed to Umbro, they’ve always come across as a bit ‘PE class lost box’ for my liking, but in general they are going down the route of reviving retro looks and Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn look the better for it.
Also reviving past glories are Everton who this season will sport a top based on their Eighties classic team. I wonder if they’ll revive the tight shorts? There’s something comforting in teams harking back to golden eras, especially if you are Burnley and you sport a kit that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the fifties.
Most of the big European teams go with traditional kits but it’ll be interesting to see the reaction to Manchester United adding a black V to the front of their shirt. It’ll sell, they could produce an invisible away kit and it would sell…actually they’ve already done that!
There are more to be announced and if your team can’t compete in the transfer market it can at least have a crack at toppling Bolton from their exalted place as most ridiculous looking team.
David Conn
David Conn has recently been named as the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Football writer of the year. I’ve no idea who they are, but any accolade awarded to David is correct. In a genre of writing that so easily embraces the banal and the tabloid he is a genuine beacon of hope. A proper investigative journalist prepared to hold a mirror up to football. He mostly writes for the Guardian and I implore you to go to their website and search out his body of work.
Failing that, it is the duty of every football fan, particularly those who support clubs who voted the Premiership into existence, to read his book, The Beautiful Game. A damning indictment of greed, self-interest and missed opportunity. Next time you pass the British Red Cross rattling tins you find yourself digging deep to balance the shame of football.
Raul Tamudo
One bit of football tittle-tattle caught my eye, Raul Tamudo, stalwart Espanyol forward and rotund purveyor of skill, angst and belligerence is a target for the likes of Hull, Wigan and Blackburn.
I’ve followed his career over a number of years now, mostly because he’s the least likely footballer I’ve ever seen. He’s looked like he’s been in his mid-thirties his entire career, short of stature and yet capable of driving his team to success by sheer force of personality.
His appearance in the Prem might liven things up for a while, but I suspect it’ll end up another disappointing foreign signing. Every club has a loyal and willing servant, an effective, consistent worker who becomes a fans favourite and is vaguely mentioned in international circles or transfer speculation. These players will never get the patience granted at their first clubs and I’m afraid that Raul Tamudo will be seen for what he really is, a Sunday league star who lived a dream. Doesn’t seem so bad when its written down!