In 1986, Umbro began to manufacture its own football boots. Īfter more than a decade wearing Admiral kits, the England national team signed with Umbro again in 1984. The England national team wore Umbro shirts by choice until 1974, when The Football Association, encouraged by the England manager Don Revie, sold the jersey manufacturing rights to Admiral Sportswear. His sons John and Stuart took over the running of the company. In 1974, Umbro's founder Harold Humphreys died. Liverpool FC won the first four of their six European Cups while wearing Umbro kits, in 1977, 1978, 19. By the late 1960s, 85% of British football teams wore kits manufactured by the company, including Celtic, the first British team to win a European Cup in 1967.
Of the 16 teams that competed, 15 wore kit manufactured by Umbro, the only exception being the USSR. The England national team won its only title in 1966 wearing kits by Umbro (the deal had been signed in 1954). Two years later, Manchester United Scottish player Denis Law signed an exclusive agreement with the brand, becoming the first footballer to be sponsored by Umbro. īrazil won its first World Cup in 1958 wearing Umbro kitsīrazil became the first FIFA World Cup champion to wear kits by Umbro in 1958. That same year the company started to sell its junior boys' kits, a set of shirt, shorts and socks that would allow young players to wear the same look as their footballing idols. Another sportsman who collaborated with Umbro was Manchester United manager Matt Busby, in 1959. This collaboration extended for three decades.
In 1957, Umbro entered the tennis market, producing sports clothing in collaboration with player Ted Tinling. Umbro would supply kits for the British Olympics team for the next 20 years. In 1952, the British team at the Summer Olympics wore Umbro kits, tailored for the needs of their individual sports. Other notably successful teams supplied by Umbro during the 1930s and 1940s were Sheffield United, Preston North End, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackpool. Umbro's kit debut was in the 1934 FA Cup final, when both teams - Manchester City and Portsmouth - wore kits designed and manufactured by the company. The company name was changed in 1924 to "Umbro" and is a quasi- portmanteau inspired by Humphreys Brothers Clothing. The company was originally founded in 1920 by Harold Humphreys, along with his brother Wallace in a small workshop in Wilmslow, Cheshire, inspired by the rapidly growing interest in football witnessed nationwide.