Umbro has announced the launch of a limited edition lifestyle capsule collection, plus a performance boot, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its iconic football boot, the Speciali.
The Speciali has stayed true to Umbro’s football boot ethos throughout its 20 years with style, fit and comfort being at the very core of its design. These attributes that the Speciali has built its status upon, including the premium soft leather, have gone into creating the five-piece limited edition Speciali ‘92 range.
Available from 15th November, Speciali ‘92 is a crafted, premium leather range, which celebrates the iconic past of the Speciali boot through Umbro’s contemporary English football tailoring lens.
The hero piece within the range is Umbro’s classic silhouette, the Anthem Jacket, which has been put through a Speciali filter, offering a fusion of two iconic pieces of sportswear. The jacket is crafted from soft leather and the lining features a digital print, which details key Speciali moments. The Anthem Jacket is available in limited numbers of only 92.
Umbro’s lifestyle footwear silhouette, the Milton, is given the Speciali makeover and draws inspiration from the classic boot. Available in limited numbers of 1,992, this latest interpretation of the Milton takes some of the most recognisable details from the Speciali and uses them to create a contemporary lifestyle shoe. The Speciali ’92 Milton features a suede toecap and is completed with a flip tongue, a design detail that reflects the original 1992 boot.
The Speciali ’92 Pro Boot is aesthetically inspired by the original 1992 Speciali and has been brought up to date with modern innovations for today’s game. The boot features the full, soft leather upper, which the Speciali is known for, to aid comfort and fit.
Conical studs and a flex groove plate are retained from the original boot with the addition of blades at the heel for added traction. Only 1,992 pairs will be available, offering a unique blend of Specialis past and
present. A soft leather weekend bag and a leather ball, both made in limited numbers of 92, make up the five-piece collection.
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
Alan Shearer, the top Premier League scorer of all time, commented: “It’s the comfort and the fit which makes the Speciali a timeless classic. I received my first pair around the time I joined Blackburn and went on to enjoy many special moments – the second goal against Holland in Euro ’96 and breaking Jackie Milburn’s scoring record for Newcastle are two such highlights.”
Michael Owen said: “I’ve worn Umbro Specialis throughout my career and I’ve scored many memorable goals – both at club and international level. As a youngster, I would take great care in looking after my boots and my dad would encourage me to clean them after every game. Umbro’s Speciali boot is so close to my heart that I even named one of my horses after it!”
Andy Carroll said: “I grew up watching the likes of Alan and Michael and always admired what they could do on the pitch – especially in front of goal. I’m extremely proud to be following their footsteps and hope to score many important goals wearing the Speciali.”
Umbro Speciali players include:
Andy Carroll, Liverpool and England
John Terry, Chelsea and England
Pepe, Real Madrid and Portugal
Michael Owen, Manchester United
Deco, Fluminense
Juan Vargas, Fiorentina and Peru
Wilson Palacios, Stoke City and Honduras
Andoni Iraola, Athletic Bilbao
The Umbro Speciali ’92 limited edition collection will be available from 15th November 2011.
Stockists include www.umbro.com, prodirectselect.com and Nike Town London.
Prices:
Speciali 92 Pro Boot: £110
Speciali 92 Ramsey Jacket: £295
Speciali 92 Milton: £89.99
Speciali 92 Weekender Bag: £149.99
Speciali 92 Ball: £75
What do you think of the new Umbro Speciali ’92 range? Leave a comment below.
19 or 20 year anniversary?