A new England team blog called
45 Minutes Each Way is interested to know if
Umbro are picking the England football team, or what? The editor Daryl raises the selection/sponsorship question, based upon Umbro's vice president Martin Prothero's latest comments about the Man City and England 3rd string goalie David James.
Are Umbro Picking The England Team?
The
Daily Mirror carries a strange story today. It seems someone at Umbro has received assurances that
David Calamity James will definitely be in England's World Cup Squad. Umbro supply the England team kit but they also sponsor David James individually, giving them a vested interest in where he spends next summer.
The Mirror quote Umbro's senior vice-president Martin Prothero as saying "
We have been led to believe David James will be in the squad. David has had his critics but he's very experienced."
England blog comment - Umbro, the kit manufacturers have recently finalised a £200million deal with
the FA to extend their sponsorship until 2014 with the 3 lions. I guess that means Umbro do have some sort of direct line to the bowels of the England team setup.
But, I personally doubt the sponsors have any say whatsoever on whether the ex number 1 England goalkeeper David James, or any other
English international soccer players for that matter, should or should not be selected in Sven Goran Eriksson's 2005/2006
World Cup squad.
England and UmbroDavid James world Cup lifelineFA and Umbro announce partnership - 2003FA agree new Umbro sponsorship deal - 2005
Posted at 4:49 AM, Saturday, December 17, 2005