Three Lions on a Shirt: The Official History of the England Football Jersey

Product Information

England wore their traditional white shirts through to the final where they wore their change red shirts after they lost a coin toss with West Germany, who wore white. James is an NCTJ qualified journalist and began his career as a news reporter in regional newspapers in 2006 before moving into sport a year later.

By the time the World Cup in 1990 came around Umbro had gone for a shirt that was complemented by a simple yet striking pattern of zig-zags and diamonds within the fabric and navy collar.

Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.

It was their son Richard the Lionheart – famed for his exploits in the Crusades (he actually spent very little time in England, was once held for ransom by an Austrian and a German, and was killed by a Frenchman while besieging a castle) – who decided to combine all three lions to make up his arms. Goalkeeper shirt fans (Rob Stokes, I’m looking at YOU) won’t be disappointed either as keepers’ attire is also well documented in the book.Sir Alf Ramsey’s preparations for the 1970 World Cup began as soon as the 1966 tournament had been won.

The three lions is the emblem of the Football Association – which would have had to ask for permission to use it due to its royal association.Three Lions”, referring to the England national team’s badge, has helped inspire Harry Kane and his teammates right up until the moment he slammed in the rebound from his saved penalty in extra time to send the fans wild, and ensure his country’s first major final since the 1966 World Cup victory – a 55-year wait. That’s why the lyrics move from: Everyone seems to know the score / They’ve heard it all before / They’re so sure / That England’s going to blow it away … To But I remember… – those fragments of glory in England’s footballing history that, above and beyond your own rationality, give you hope.