Manchester City, the champions-elect of English football, has announced a new kit deal with sports behemoth Nike in the same week as the club overtook Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
The terms of the deal, which does not kick-in until the season after next, means the Umbro brand will still be emblazoned on the chests of the Sky Blues until the end of next season.
However from the following season until 2019 all official Manchester City kit, training wear and related products will be designed, manufactured and distributed by Nike not by Umbro, which is actually a subsidiary of Nike itself according to its Wikipedia page.
Manchester City has released a statement with a quote from Nike’s global brand president, Charlie Denson, where he said the deal “reflects both the ambitions of the club and the Nike brand’s position within the world of football”.
For its part, Manchester City is looking to Nike's “unparalleled R&D capacity, leading global retail distribution networks and award winning marketing capabilities” as it seeks to eclipse its nearest rivals both off the pitch as well as on it, as evidenced by Manchester United’s tepid performance last Monday.
Clearly City is relying on the reflective glory of the Nike swoosh to aid its global expansion.
The deal also emulates the kit deals negotiated by by Manchester United who also ended its long-standing kit agreement with Umbro, which is headquartered in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, to also pair with Nike.
Of course, no prototype kits designs have been publicly unveiled yet and Umbro is currently looking to fans to help launch the official kit for the 2012-13 season, as demonstrated in the below video.
The terms of the deal, which does not kick-in until the season after next, means the Umbro brand will still be emblazoned on the chests of the Sky Blues until the end of next season.
However from the following season until 2019 all official Manchester City kit, training wear and related products will be designed, manufactured and distributed by Nike not by Umbro, which is actually a subsidiary of Nike itself according to its Wikipedia page.
Manchester City has released a statement with a quote from Nike’s global brand president, Charlie Denson, where he said the deal “reflects both the ambitions of the club and the Nike brand’s position within the world of football”.
For its part, Manchester City is looking to Nike's “unparalleled R&D capacity, leading global retail distribution networks and award winning marketing capabilities” as it seeks to eclipse its nearest rivals both off the pitch as well as on it, as evidenced by Manchester United’s tepid performance last Monday.
Clearly City is relying on the reflective glory of the Nike swoosh to aid its global expansion.
The deal also emulates the kit deals negotiated by by Manchester United who also ended its long-standing kit agreement with Umbro, which is headquartered in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, to also pair with Nike.
Of course, no prototype kits designs have been publicly unveiled yet and Umbro is currently looking to fans to help launch the official kit for the 2012-13 season, as demonstrated in the below video.
Show Your City - 2012 Manchester City Kit
However, Total Digital Football thought it was worth taking time to look at some Umbro’s previous offerings for Manchester City, some dating back to the early 80s. Prepare for a nostalgia-rush, apart from the first two, all images are courtesy of Umbro.
Old skool
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From the early 80s, looks dated but still iconic, note the old club badge which was dropped because the club couldn’t register it as a trademark
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| This image has been circulating around online fan forums sparking speculation that it will be the club’s home kit for the 2012-13 season
Maine-stay of the club
From the 80s/90s era, an image that will put proper City fans in mind of the Maine Road Massacre
Shirt of champion's?
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| Will this shirt adorn the first Manchester City captain to raise the Premiership trophy? My guess is yes... |
And after all...
It was the mid-90s, and Oasis were high in the charts and spreading Maine Road-mania among the country’s student unions.
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