Kit Bag - New Shirts Unveiled / Leaked

After reading EPL Talk, we noticed that quite a few Premiership teams have been officially (and in some case unofficially) unveiling their new home and away kits for next season. The strange phenomenon of releasing new shirts just as the season is about to end is relatively new, and one that TTIAO sees as quite bizarre.

We can only think that it must be some money-making initiative where they feel fans are more likely to part with their cash at the end of the season. Either that or they're all just really thoughtful, and would like to give their fans the opportunity of getting another short-sleeved shirt to wear over the hot summer months.

Anyway, here are some of the leaked/released pictures that are available so far:

Everton 07/08 Home Shirt

The Toffee's shirt is again designed by Umbro, and like other Umbro kits (England, Rangers, Sweden) is simple but effective. The small yellow details are a nice touch and the Umbro design down the sides is a different feature that breaks it up a little.

The shirt is available to buy now.



Liverpool 07/08 Away/3rd Shirt


This shirt has not been confirmed as official, and with other designs knocking around (see below) we can't confirm what it exactly is. However, it looks like a strong contender for next season's away shirt, possibly serving as a third kit.

The white and red away strip is common with other previous strips that clubs who play in red at home have had (Man Utd, Milan). Its a really nice looking kit, and continues the high standards Adidas have been setting since World Cup 2006.

As unconfirmed, there is no release date as of yet.




Liverpool 07/08 Champions League Home, Away, and Goalkeeper Shirt

Again unconfirmed, these are possibly the shirts that the potential holders of the Champions League will be wearing when defending their title next season.

Sporting a 'Liverpool 2008 Capital of Culture' logo as their sponsor, it seems the club see this shirt as the perfect way to advertise to Europe and the rest of the world that Liverpool holds the status next year.

The shirt itself is very similar to Spain's which is quite ironic given the number of Spaniards in Benitez' side.

Bolton Wanderers 07/08 Home Shirt


Bolton will be wearing a very similar Reebok shirt to the one they have worn this season. However, the subtle changes are an improvement, with underarm details that seem to be prominent with modern day kits.

The shirt is scheduled for release May 7th,




Arsenal 07/08 Away Shirt


With lots of net rumours over a Gunners white away shirt for next season, and numerous faked images, could this be the 'real deal'? Quite possibly. And if it is, we think Arsenal fans have struck gold with this one.

The red, white and gold of Arsenal has never looked so stylish, and there is no way they could get abuse from Spurs fans (see their rather plain new shirt below) considerin what their side will be wearing.

One of the nicest new kits to emerge thus far, there is currently no official release date. Lets hope its official!


Tottenham 07/08 Home or Anniversary Shirt

Tottenham are due to unveil all next season's shirt designs on May 12th, however this image has been leaked. The shirt will either be next season's home shirt, or a celebratory edition to commemorate the club's 125th Anniversary.

The shirt is quite plain to be their actual kit, and is more likely to be a retro design.

Expect an announcement on release dates on May 12th.



Newcastle 07/08 Home Shirt

The Toon faithful always seem to be waving their shirts frantically above their heads, even if their side is losing 2-0 to United on a cold mid-November evening. However, if they do decide to actually wear their purchase, they should be quietly pleased. The traditional black and white stripes are retained, and the collar has re-amerged (Similar to the current Adidas Liverpool home shirt).

The shirt is released today, so get down to your local stores.

Example of New Premiership 07/08 Lettering

As modelled on this new 'Martins' Newcastle home shirt, this will be the new Premiership lettering on the back of every Premiership clubs shirt next season. The names are now slightly curved with slightly more space between each letter. The number also sports the new Premiership Lion logo.

Overall a nice improvement, but it may not look good with all shirts, names and numbers.

Expect to see more 07/08 Shirts to emerge from the 'Kit Bag' soon.

(Via EPLTalk)

All hail Great Britons – Champions League Review

As the dust settled on the Champions League qualifying stage last week, it seemed British football had the world at it’s feet. For the first time in history, all British teams have managed to qualify for the knockout last 16 stage – an achievement that of course is fantastic for British football.

On Wednesday night, Arsenal and Manchester United joined Celtic, Liverpool and Chelsea in the last 16 to complete a clean sweep for the British sides. Furthermore the three Premiership representatives all finished top of their respective groups, ensuring, in theory at least, a more favourable draw in the knockout stages.

The Champions League is regarded as the pinnacle of continental club football, and is a competition that in recent years has eluded Britain, with only Manchester United and Liverpool being crowned champions in the last 20 years.

I along with many other fans feel that with British teams making up more than a quarter of the teams left in the competition, the time has come for Britain to succeed once more.

Chelsea, although playing catch up domestically, have looked dominant in Europe topping Group A. Two baron years of the European success which Abramovich so passionately craves has laid claim to the fact that this competition is Mourinho’s main focus.

This determination can be seen through Chelsea taking four points of the possible six from the two games against reigning champions Barcelona. With the multi-million pound squad at Jose’s disposal, including the summer additions of Ballack and the under-performing Shevchenko, 2007 could Stamford Bridge welcoming home Europe’ most illustrious prize.

Manchester United have flown out the block, topping the Premier League, and winning the first three of their Group F games comfortably. United managed to put to bed last year’s Lisbon demons with a comfortable 3-1 win in their final game, and finally booked their place in the last 16 as group winners.

Many see Ferguson’s men as one of the favourites for this year’s competition, and with whiz kids Ronaldo and Rooney setting the football world alight, this could be the year that United’s young, maturing team comes of age, and go some way to living up to the success of 1999.

SPL leaders Celtic made history in making the last 16, with second place in Group F. Strachan’s men will be amongst the least favourites to progress further in the competition, yet it will be interesting to see some of Europe’s elite try and battle it out at the fortress that has become Park Head.

Arsenal and Liverpool have both floundered in the Premier League, displaying lacklustre form both home and away. However in Europe, both clubs have managed to top their respective groups, possibly a result of their poor domestic form.

Last year’s finalists Arsenal have a much depleted team from that which took them to the final in Paris last season. Their final ‘game’ against Porto was possibly the dullest moment of the season so far. Many questioned a possible carve-up between the two teams, and despite strong denials from Wenger, the 0-0 suspiciously saw both teams qualify from Group G. However, in Captain Thierry Henry, they have a player that should inspire the young talents of Fabregas and Van Persie to unleash the ‘total football’ of last season’s campaign and with the luck of the draw, Arsenal may find themselves there or there abouts come May.

Liverpool seek to emulate 2005’s heroics, and again succeed in the competition against the odds. The five time champions will still be one of the most feared teams in the competition, and the Merseyside outfit outlined their intent through qualifying as Group C winners with one game to spare. Captain marvel Steven Gerrard will need to discover more of the hunger and fight shown on nights such as the one in Istanbul, if Liverpool are to progress further in the competition. One thing for certain is that if Liverpool are firing on all cylinders, nobody will relish the opportunity to face Benitez’s side.

The draw for the first knockout round is due to be made on Friday 15th December at 12.00pm. Once the draw has been made, I am sure we will have a much clearer idea on the chances of Britain’s Elite, and whether we will really see a British team lifting the trophy in Athens next summer.