THE 10 GREATEST ENGLAND FOOTBALL SHIRTS
With the 2024 EUROS right around the corner now, we have begun to curate our top 10 kits for select nations competing in this years edition of the iconic tournament. Of course we had to start close to home, it's what we know best, however there is an awful lot of quality to choose from here, there have been been some outrageous omissions...
Right, let's get into this, here's OUR* 10 greatest England shirts.
10. 1998 Home
We start with this beauty from the 1998 World Cup, worn in a game that nearly broke one man and made another. Michael Owen "burst onto the scene" with an emphatic run and finish against arch rivals Argentina. However, early in the second half, Beckham lashed out at Simeone. A red card and a typical England penalty shootout followed. A lovely design styled onto a paper-like material.
Shop the England football shirt collection here.
9. 2002 Home
This one was worn during the revival from the previous shirts disgraces. Beckham would score his greatest ever free kick in front of his beloved Man United fans at Old Trafford to guarantee England's qualification to the 2002 World Cup. As the years go by this shirt is gaining increasing popularity, slowly becoming more and more vintage.
8. 1996 Away
Euro 96 hosted in England is remember by many as one of the greatest tournaments of football. This shirt however is synonymous with more penalty shootout heartbreak... Current England manager Gareth Southgate missing the decisive spot kick. An iconic and sought after piece of clobber.
7. 1998 Away
We go back to France 98, this time with the away shirt, worn once during the 2-0 victory over Colombia, Anderton and Beckham the scorers on the day. The St George's Cross emblazoned throughout works well with the vinyl two tone red material.
6. 1986 Home
England opened their 1986 World Cup campaign with a shock loss to Portugal and a 0-0 draw with Morocco. The Three Lions won their last group game 3-0 which saw them scrape through the group stages. This kit was worn during the greatest individual goal scored in World Cup history by Diego Maradona, and no, I'm not talking about the one that was expertly set up by Steve Hodge...
5. 2013 Home 150 Year Anniversary
One of the finest modern England shirts to be created, designed by Nike for England's 150th anniversary. It features a very clean design with darker that usual features along with the anniversary detailing to the crest.
READ: "England’s kits of the 00’s and the memories that made them."
4. 1994 Home
England shockingly never reached the 1994 World Cup finals after finishing 3rd in qualifying. However this home shirt and it's away counterpart were works of art, a real shame they were never able to be displayed at the Rosebowl.
3. 1996 Home
As previously mentioned, the summer of 1996 was a special one, and this was a special shirt. The light blue of the name set, collar and cuffs really popped against the darker navy. The shirt forever remember for the infamous dentist chair celebrations after that iconic Gazza goal against fierce rivals Scotland.
READ: Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds release ‘Three Lions (It’s Coming Home For Christmas)
2. 1990 Home
Our favourite of the three available Italia 1990 shirts, the traditional white home shirt with navy trim and and the bright red number printing to reverse. Worn during another agonising nearly moment and continued penalty heartbreak... England were edged out again by Germany during the semi finals in Italy.
1. 1966 Away
Don't @ us, England wore this famous strip in the 1966 World Cup final. As clean as they come, no visible branding other than the Three Lions on the shirt, all long sleeved. The year it came home.
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There you have it, our* top 10 picks of what we think are the greatest ever England kits. Steeped in history and beautifully designed. Do the boys have enough to bring it home again? We certainly hope so.
*Selected by an individual