the FA are running a competition where you can win the soon to be released England team away strip. Additionally the winner will win an invite to the official kit launch on the 28th of february.
Official England Away Kit Competition Blurb TheFA.com - Win England Away Strip England's brand new Umbro away kit goes on sale on 28 February and will be worn for the first time when England take on Uruguay on 1 March at Anfield.
The kit will be officially unveiled in Manchester by members of the England squad including Michael Owen and John Terry on 27 February, but we are giving you an early sneak peek and the chance to win an awesome, money-can't-buy prize.
We've teamed up with Umbro offer one fan the opportunity to be at the kit launch event and watch the England v Uruguay match with a friend as well as win a signed England away shirt and a pair of Umbro X Boots.
♠ To enter the competition, Go To The England Away Kit Competition Page and answer the simple question :: (Q) England star Michael Owen has played in how many previous World Cup tournaments?
The new England away kit - What's it made of? The new kit has been inspired by the classic 1966 design, featuring a red shirt, white shorts and red socks.
The England crest echoes the 66 crest and is therefore larger than more recent shirts and has a gold outline, matching the gold numbering and lettering on the kit.
Umbro have built some advanced technology into the kit, which will help to keep the players cool and dry in Germany.
If you follow England and did'nt know that Sven Will Officially Leave The England Job After The World Cup due to the press turning his private life into a circus, then where have you been? The News of the World fake sheikh ridiculousness was the straw that broke the camel's back I gather.
As far as I am concerned, Sven Goran Eriksson was going to leave the England manager job for pastures new after the Fifa World Cup soccer finals anyhow, whether England returned from Germany a victorious or a defeated team. Sven leaving is a non story, who will manage England next is not.
English Manager Needed the FA should appoint an English England manager. Atleast a manager who has some right to be associated with the 3 lions by birthright, or by passport/residency. I contest England have needed a left sided midfielder for a good while now. National sides should not have foreign managers any more than England should pick a foreign left winger.
The problem is I cannot think of an English born manager/coach who is deservant of the England manager job apart from Alan Curbishley who is currently a 4/1 shot in the next England boss betting. Possibly Harry Redknapp at 66/1 is the value bet, but I have a suspicion Harry will be overlooked by the FA.
Curbishley does'nt enthrall me, Redknapp is okay, but nothing more.
English Born England Manager Candidates ♠ Steve McClaren(middlesbrough) has done nothing of note in his managerial career whatsoever.
♠ Sam Allardyce(bolton) is going great guns at Bolton. Comes across all wrong as soon as he opens his mouth. Please no, please.
♠ Steve Bruce(birmingham) is ok as a manager, but the way he left Palace in the lurch was a disgrace. Not my cup of tea.
♠ Stuart Pearce(man city) has the credentials as a past player, but lacks managerial experience.
♠ Paul Jewell(wigan) is a decent future prospect. 2 good seasons in the premier is not enough for me.
♠ Peter Taylor(hull) makes the line up, but has done little noteworthy at club managership at senior team level, decent at under 21's.
♠ Bryan Robson(wba) has the credentials as an ex England captain. Not as a manager, based upon his club managerial career to date.
♠ Steve Coppell(reading) is an interesting candidate, but the media limelight would not suit his managerial style.
♠ Terry Venables(unemployed) won't get the job again, regardless of anything else that does or does'nt have any relevance.
♠ Sir Bobby Robson(ireland) is getting on a bit for such a high profile, long term position at the helm of any national side.
♠ Harry Redknapp(portsmouth) should atleast be on the FA's England manager candidate shortlist, but will be overlooked by the FA. Not sure why.
Ladbrokes Next England Manager Odds Sam Allardyce 5/2 Alan Curbishley 4/1 Steve McClaren 4/1 Guus Hiddink 7/1 Martin O'Neill 8/1 Luiz Felipe Scolari 12/1 Steve Bruce 12/1 Stuart Pearce 12/1 Paul Jewell 20/1 Bryan Robson 25/1 Fabio Capello 25/1 Jose Mourinho 25/1 Ottmar Hitzfeld 25/1 Peter Taylor 28/1 Arsene Wenger 33/1 Marcello Lippi 33/1 Steve Coppell 33/1 Terry Venables 50/1 Harry Redknapp 66/1 Ruud Gullit 66/1 Sir Alex Ferguson 66/1 Sir Bobby Robson 100/1 (odds subject to rapid change)
There are some Aston Villa fans who want to know what was wrong with what Sven said to the Fake Sheikh from the News of the World. I have the same question in my mind. However, unabaited, the Fake Sheikh/Sven-Gate affair continues to rumble on.
So what if Sven leaves the 3 lions job if England win the world cup or not. With the hammering Sven has taken in the press and by many England team supporters, why would the Swede want to stay? Don't forget the FA press head honcho tried to sell Sven out over the Faria Alam affair. That is how the Faria affair became public.
The News of the World do what they can to sell papers. If that means disrupt the England team, to the detriment of supporters, that is okay it seems. That is their prerogative. Maybe they should do an expose on the competition, rather than try to make us look like we are self imploding.
Ex Liverpool, Leeds and England striker Robbie Fowler scored a hat-trick against Scunthorpe last week in the FA cup for Man City
The question is - is the real Robbie Fowler back for good?
In his early years at Anfield, Fowler was a deadly striker. One of the best of the era. Precision finishing, quick minded around the penalty box, the boy Fowler was a lethal goalscorer. Fowler never produced that form for England only scoring 7 goals in 26 matches for the 3 lions (15 starts).
The thing I always liked about Fowler's finishing was he used to shoot straight, without swerving the ball all over the place for no reason. If a straight, first time finish was needed, Fowler would oblige.
I am not so sure the 30 year old Fowler has designs on playing for the England team again, but I would think if he finds his true goalscoring form, Robbie may feature again one day. Who knows who will get injured and who knows how well Fowler can play again if he puts his mind to it. Football is a funny old game I gather.
Top quality forwards of the Fowler ilk don't come along often. The Fowler demise was a disappointment. If Robbie keeps scoring quick-fire hat-tricks for Man City, it is not beyond the realms of soccer possibility that Fowler could end up striding out for England again 1 day.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly lining up a £10millon summer transfer bid for England international striker Jermaine Defoe - presumably for after the World Cup finals.
Benitez already has Peter Crouch at Anfield, with Defoe playing next to him it will be a real little and large show. Defoe is a good striker, especially on the floor and around the edge of the penalty box. Playing next to Crouch regularly for Liverpool won't hurt the England team options up front.
The only problem with the possible Defoe and Crouch partnership is Tottenham boss Martin Jol is very unlikely to want to sell Defoe to any top level English club. So the odds on Defoe joining Liverpool for next season must be slim.
My odds on Defoe leaving Spurs for the Reds after the World Cup..
Defoe To Join Liverpool Prices Defoe To Stay At Spurs = 1/2 Defoe To Sign For Liverpool = 2/1
Joey Barton certainly has been impressive for Manchester City this season. Every time I see Stuart Pearce's team play, Barton is all over the pitch dominating from his midfield berth.
Barton had temperament problems before this season, but a spell at the Tony Adams sporting chance clinic has certainly calmed Barton down.
Barton is now scoring goals, passing the ball around and is very physical about it too, especially when City are defending. Tony Adams is hot on Barton and says it is only a matter of time before Barton pulls on the England shirt to represent the 3 lions.
Adams On Jeoy Barton England Claim It's a question of when, rather than if, Joey receives international honours.
If any player puts in the kind of performances he has, they put themselves in contention for England.
Realistically, the World Cup might be a bit soon for him.
England have some outstanding midfielders and I think Sven (Goran Eriksson, the national coach) already knows who he wants to take to Germany.
But he's making a strong claim and can't be ignored."
What 23 English players will Sven Goran Eriksson take to the Fifa 2006 soccer world cup finals to make up the England squad?
My guess is these players will represent the 3 lions in Germany. The denoted players will be the possible first team eleven.
England Goalkeepers ♠ Paul Robinson Chris Kirkland David James
England Defenders Centre Backs ♠ John Terry ♠ Rio Ferdinand Sol Campbell Jamie Carragher Ledley King Full Backs ♠ Ashley Cole ♠ Gary Neville Wayne Bridge Luke Young
England Midfielders Centre Midfield ♠ Stephen Gerrard ♠ Frank Lampard Jermaine Jenas Owen Hargreaves Wingers ♠ David Beckham (captain) ♠ Joe Cole Shaun Wright Phillips
England Strikers ♠ Michael Owen (vice captain) ♠ Wayne Rooney Peter Crouch Jermaine Defoe
The editor of the story "Blunose" seems to think Jordan is "trying to besmirch the name of Birmingham FC by making false accusations about bidding for attacker Andrew Johnson.
Blunose wrote about the Johnson non transfer spat "The history between the two clubs relates to the transfer of Clinton Morrison(forward) in 2002. Jordan was unhappy with the way the transfer was conducted, and said at the time:
They offered £5m for Clinton Morrison, which we rejected. Their interest in the player then appeared in the press, the player became unsettled and we ended up having no choice but to sell for a massively reduced fee of £3.5m.
It felt like a mugging. It made taking Johnson from them really sweet compensation."
Details of how to buy tickets for England's friendly match against Uruguay have now been released. The match, which takes place at Anfield on Wednesday 1 March kicks off at 7.45pm.
Uruguay Friendly Ticket Pricing ♠ Tickets cost £40, £30 and £20, with prices in the Family enclosure being £20 for adults and £10 for children under 16. ♠ Tickets for disabled supporters cost £20.
England Fans Members Ticketing Members of england fans can buy tickets from 10am on Friday 27 January until 5pm Sunday 29 January. The hotline number is 0871 230 2006 or fans can click here to buy online
General Public Ticketing The general public will have the opportunity to buy tickets on Tuesday 31 January from 10am. The hotline is 0870 902 0005 or click here to buy online
Disabled Fans Ticketing Options Disabled supporters who are members of england fans can buy tickets from 10am on Thursday 26 January, while tickets go on sale for the general public on 1 February from 10am. The hotline is 0845 458 1966.
Enquiries about corporate hospitality can be made on 0208 795 9770. Members are entitled to one ticket per member. General sale - 4 tickets per person. All tickets are subject to availability and booking fees.
Chelsea football club manager Jose Mourinho has said that England players Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson and Shaun Wright Phillips can leave Chelsea if they are unhappy at being benched. If the players think their world cup chances are being scuppered by not playing regular first team football, they can go.
Mourinho comments about unhappy international players "Anyone who isn't happy here can leave. I know Wayne Bridge needs to play football, but Chelsea need to win matches. I will keep my word to my players, and I will keep the squad of players that I trust unless somebody shows me they are not happy, or want to leave.
A Chelsea manager chooses, in his opinion, the players who are in better condition to play matches. Of course I want to help Bridge and give him some matches because he is a very good player who wants to come back to a high level.
But if I feel that Gallas or Del Horno are the best options for me I cannot think with my heart."
England football team manager Sven Goran Eriksson has announced 3 international soccer friendlies for the upcoming 2006 Fifa World Cup finals
The 3 lions will be taking on Uruguay, Hungary and Jamaica, all at home.
England International Friendly Fixtures ♠ England V Uruguay - Wednesday, March 1st ♠ England V Hungary - Tuesday, May 30th ♠ England V Jamaica - Saturday, June 3rd