UMBRO SPECIALI 92 COLLECTION
Umbro celebrate Speciali 92 football boots’ 20th anniversary with collection.
When it comes to football boots with a wealth of history and heritage few rival the Umbro Speciali. Now, to celebrate the iconic Speciali 92 football boots’ 20th anniversary, Umbro unveiled the 5 piece limited edition lifestyle Speciali 92 collection at a stylish launch event in London.
The new Umbro Speciali 92 football boots were created to honor the same model boots worn by the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and Robert Carlos and are the perfect embodiment of classic style.
A fold-over tongue, ultra-soft K-leather upper and Speciali silhouette are legendary Speciali traits and feature on the new incarnation. A classic K-leather upper gives these boots great comfort and exceptional feel for the ball. While the ankle and heel sections have been re-enforced with padded support zones, to offer exceptional fit and improve stability.
The flex-groove soleplate has been retained from the original 1992 edition, with the exception of the conical heel studs have now been replaced with blades for improved traction and stability.
The launch event in London took place in a swanky gallery where the new Speciali 92 collection was on display. The walls were filled with images of the new collection while projectors replayed videos of some of the greatest ever Speciali goals, including Michael Owen’s wonder-goal against Argentina and Robert Carlos’ physics-bending free-kick.
Legendary England strikers Alan Shearer and Michael Owen are two of the greatest players to ever wear the boots and made a special appearance at the launch to do a Q&A session.
The collection oozes style and features a black leather Anthem jacket as well as Speciali inspired Milton Trainers.
The collection is completed by the Speciali 92 Ball and Bag
Since its launch, the Speciali boot has graced the feet of countless greats and has featured in many iconic footballing moments. Speciali highlights include:
- 6 English Golden Boot winners
- 30 top tier hat-tricks
- 775 English top flight goals have been scored in the Umbro Speciali
- 5,000: number of games played in the Speciali on the highest stage
- 1992: Umbro release the first Speciali with the “wishbone” system
- 1994: Umbro releases the ‘Pele Speciali’ – one of the lightest boots on the market at 225g
- 1996: Umbro release a new style of Speciali featuring an ‘A Frame’ design for enhanced comfort and fit
- Mark Hughes* scores a spectacular volley in extra time against Oldham Athletic in the 1994 FA Cup semi-final
- Alan Shearer scores 5 goals at Euro 96 wearing the Umbro Speciali, securing the title of top scorer of the tournament
- Roberto Carlos scores an “impossible” 35 yard free kick for Brazil against France in Le Tournoi in 1997
- An 18 year old Michael Owen scores a wonder goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores the winning goal for Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League Final
- Carlos “El Pipe” [The Kid] Valderrama, considered to be Colombia’s finest player, wears the Umbro Speciali between 1996-1998
CARLING CUP BOOT SPOT: BEBE, OWEN
Last night saw more Carling Cup action take place. There were three major upsets as Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool crashed out of the competition. Manchester United were also in action and the 5-2 scoreline doesn’t do Scunthorpe any justice as the Championship side gave United a good tussle.
The match had interesting significance for two reasons. The first was the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson was nowhere to be seen. The United gaffer was in Spain for the evening. It wasn’t a holiday trip however, as Fergie was watching UEFA Champions League opponents Valencia in action against Atletico Madrid. The second reason last night’s game had interesting significance was the debut of new signing Bebe.
The Portuguese winger’s arrival at United raised many eyebrows as Bebe (or Tiago Manuel Dias Correia) was a completely unknown. Bebe had been living in the Casa do Gaiato shelter after being abandoned by his parents as a child. Bebe signed for United after he was recommended to Sir Alex by former United number 2 Carlos Queiroz. United signed him just five weeks after he signed for Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães. Bebe has a promising future ahead of him and with his pace and skill, will be compared to fellow Portuguese stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. Another thing he has in common with his fellow countrymen is his choice of boots. Bebe came on for Ji-Sung Park after 74 minutes sporting a pair of Cactus/White Nike Superfly II boots.
Another interesting boot spot was Michael Owen . The English striker has slipped down the United pecking order but grabbed his opportunity to impress last night. Despite many arguing that his best is now behind him, you can’t disagree that he still has goals in him and he proved that with a brace last night. Owen wore the White/Gold Umbro Speciali boots which feature his custom sole plate. The picture on the sole plate is of Michael’s favourite horse, also called Speciali.
UMBRO SPECIALI BLACK/WHITE/GOLD
Umbro seem to be on a mission – to become synonymous with the words ‘classy’ and ’stylish’. Their ‘Tailored in England’ slogan has become a trademark for their retro and classically-styled kit and apparel.
Now Umbro have released a new colourway for the much talked about Speciali. The Speciali has been around for a long time. This incarnation is taking football by storm as Umbro’s star continues to rise. Once again Umbro have released a classic. The new Black/White/Gold is once again pure class.
NEW UMBRO SPECIALI AND STEALTH PRO COLOURWAYS
Umbro recently released new colourways for their Speciali and Stealth Pro boots.
The Speciali has become one of the best Heritage/Touch boots on the market with the likes of John Terry, Deco, Wilson Palacios and Darren Bent sporting them. Umbro held a competition to design the sole plates for players to wear at the World Cup. Judging from the colourways they have been releasing, they don’t need any help with design!
The newest version is a gorgeous looking White colourway with Gold accents around the heel and Wembley inspired “A-frame” arch. We at TRW think this is the best colourway they have released.
You can expect these classy looking White/Gold boots to be available from 1st May.
The other colourway is a Silver/Black version of their newest boot; the Stealth Pro. Arsenal’s Gael Clichy had this to say about the Stealth Pros: “The Stealth is a revolutionary step by Umbro in boot design. They really aid my speed and touch on the pitch with their lightweight material and molded design. I can’t wait to test them against some of the best players in the Premier League.” It is funny that he sang their praise so highly. Clichy hasn’t worn them yet competitively as he continues to prefer his SX Flare football boots. That doesn’t mean they haven’t been a success in the Premier League however. David James has been prolific for Portsmouth in the Stealth Pro while a very interesting boot spot is David Bentley. The Tottenham Hotspur winger has been wearing the original White/Red colourway.
This Silver/Black version is yet another great colourway from the Manchester based football company.
UMBRO’S NEW ENGLAND AWAY JERSEY AND LIMITED EDITION SPECIALI
Tomorrow night will see England take on newly crowned African Cup of Nations champions Egypt at Wembley. It will be the first outing for four of Umbro’s newest products.
The new England away jersey was designed by Aitor Throup who also worked closely with Umbro and Fabio Capello on the new England home jersey.
Umbro’s tag line ‘Tailored by’ is an inspiration from the past as is the design of the new kit which has a distinct 1966 look about it.
The new jersey was first seen on Kasabian front man Tom Meighan. He wore it for their encore when they played at the famous Paris Olympia theatre on February 8th.
Along with the new jersey, be sure to look out for the England Red Speciali boots. Most likely to be worn be John Terry and Steven Warnock, (if he plays) the newest Speciali colourway is a collectors edition featuring the Three Lions crest on the sole. They are very much a ‘special’ collectors edition as there will only be 300 pairs available.
Also on the pitch will be the new Umbro Stealth Pro ball which will used for the first time along with the new Umbro goal keepers away gloves.
