That song, those stadiums, David Platt’s injury-time winner, Gazza’s tears….that kit. The England 1990 shirt was an era-defining jersey, indeed, tournament.
Whilst most of the memories are frozen in time on your old World Cup VHS (Youtube perhaps) our memory banks, at least that glorious white shirt can still be ogled.
What a kit
There sometimes seems synchronicity with great kits and team success – this of course is bollocks as England have had some stunners and bowed out in humiliation at pivotal tournament moments – see World Cup 2010 for instance.
At Italia 90, however, Umbro’s heavily lion-themed insignia with dark blue trim became an unmistakable classic.
Personally, I loved the fact that the collar would stay up – pretending to be Chris Waddle running up to take a pen never felt so good.
Funnily enough, it was initially the blue away kit that garnished a cult following initially. New Order’s ‘World in Motion’ saw their frontman sporting the fetching number as he understatedly mimed along to quite possibly the greatest musical moment in football since Andy Cole’s ‘Outstanding’.
Tournament beginnings
Of course, the home equivalent oh-so could have been a World Cup-winning jersey. Whilst fans and the press were wary of expectations prior to the start of the tournament, particular ire sent the way of now saint Bobby Robson, England massively exceeded expectations, sewing into the zeitgeist some defining moments to boot.
Steadily growing into the tournament initially, crawling through a nervy group stage containing the likes of Ireland, Egypt, and the Netherlands. The Three Lion’s first roar was felt deep into extra time in their 2nd round encounter against Belgium.
With penalties an altogether likely outcome, David Platt volleyed home magnificently a long-range Gazza dink.
It was a really strong England team with a bit more creativity than other sides we have had. We were fractions from winning the World Cup.
– Gary Lineker
Queue pandemonium at home and in the stands. With the tiny matter of football ‘minnows’ Cameroon in the quarters, surely a semi place was a sure bet – of course, it wouldn’t be so easy.
Cameroon and that kit
No willing to let England epic Umbro effort take all the limelight, the Les Lions Indomptables turned up with a stonker of a home shirt – oh yeah, and some unbelievably fluid football.
Armed with a giant solo lion as their badge, England’s three were tamed largely throughout the contest.
“We responded with a few ‘Come on lads’ and headbutting the walls and stuff – we were vociferous but they were much more cohesive than us and rhythmical.” commented John Barnes looming back on the match. He wasn’t wrong.
Whilst 2nd round hero David Platt got the favourites off to a fine start, England were sucker-punched by the introduction of cult hero Roger Milla, inspiring Cameroon to two goals in 5 minutes.
Thankfully MOTD darling Gary Lineker grew balls the size of footballs to convert two penalties and knock out the Africans.
The shirt battle was won. England ‘Umbro’ beat Cameroon’s Adidas effort. But the kit manufacturer had the last laugh.
The Germans
The Lions faced up to the mighty West Germany days later….and what a jersey (and team) they faced.
Lothar Matthaus led out his side in a faded green number – the same epic design that saw The Netherlands claim the Euro Championship two years prior.
Outgunned in the eyes of much of the watching world, England outperformed their rivals throughout. However, disaster struck when veteran Peter Shilton was helplessly lobbed by Paul Parker’s outstretched leg when defending a corner.
England pushed and pushed for an equaliser and it came via a fine Lineker finish. All efforts proved fruitless from then-on.
Queue the two of the most famous footballing moments in football.
Gazza’s tears after suspending himself from the final courtesy of an unnecessary yellow, then both Pearce and Waddle failing to convert penalties in the proceeding shoot out.
Whilst undeniable agony was etched on the faces of the Lions – the glory and that shirt have remained in our memory banks ever since…