Manchester United and Nike have unveiled the new home kit for the 2012/13 season, inspired by the city’s industrious past. The new Manchester United Home 2012-13 shirt will feature the iconic gingham check that hailed from Manchester’s famous cotton mills... 


Nike’s most environmentally friendly ever kit honours the club’s illustrious past with a bold new design. Manchester United football club’s success has been founded on the traditional values of respect and hard work. Those values are what made Manchester the city it is and from the mid 18th century the cotton mills there were prolific in the industry. From those mills came the gingham fabric, an iconic check that like Manchester United is famous around the world and is now – for the first time – used on a Manchester United home shirt.


                   


The tonal gingham in traditional and iconic red gives the home shirt a bold new look. The black v-neck collar gives the shirt a contemporary look. The inner back neck graphic on the shirt reads, ‘Forged in Industry, Striving for Glory’; paying tribute to the cities industrial past but also the club’s hard-working ethos. 


  


The outer neck graphic is the iconic devil symbol so synonymous around the world with Manchester United whilst a diagonal hatched graphic on the white shorts is a subtle link to the gingham used on the shirt. 


The socks are black with a red detail on the top and a white devil icon. They offer a new and innovative design featuring an updated cotton footbed offering the support and comfort enjoyed by professionals to all that wear them. 


  


Whilst the new Manchester United 2012-2013 football kit combines modern sport and youth style to give the club an iconic new look, Nike’s innovation gives the team our most technologically advanced kit to aid athlete comfort and performance. 


The new Man Utd shirts have bonded re-enforced t-bar junctions that support critical seams on the shirt and shorts and inner welded seams with a flat finish construction to improve comfort and performance. Temperature regulation is helped by ventilation zones, consisting of a series of tiny laser cut holes from the under arms to the waistband, allowing air to circulate to keep players comfortable.


 


The new Manchester United home kit is made from Nike’s ground-breaking recycled polyester, making it Nike’s most environmentally friendly kit ever produced. Each kit (shirt and shorts) is made using up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles. This innovative manufacturing process reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to manufacturing traditional polyester. Since 2010 Nike has used an estimated 1115 million recycled plastic bottles to create its high performance kits. 


The kits are made out of 23% lighter fabric with 20% stronger knit structure than Nike’s previous kits and feature Nike Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture away from athletes to help keep them cool and dry on-pitch. 


 


Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs was asked his opinion on the new Manchester United home kit for next season and said: “I think the gingham design is great – it looks the part. It is a bit different from last year’s kit and it has moved on which Manchester United, both on and off the pitch, like to try and do. We try to move on and do different things. The players love it and I’m sure the fans will love it as well.” 


Asked whether he likes the way this kit reflects the history of the city and Club, Rio Ferdinand commented: “I think it’s great that the gingham design has its roots in Manchester’s cotton industry, and that ties the kit nicely to the club and the city so I’m sure the fans will be pleased with that – we are as players.”  


                 

The work ethic between the city and the football club is something Nike, Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have been keen to emphasize. When asked how important the similarities between Manchester United and the city of Manchester were, Sir Alex answered: “Well, I think the great similarity is the industrial part of Manchester, which has always been there, like the cotton mills. For instance, Manchester United started from a railway background and if you look at the club, it has always had a great work ethic about it, and the players who have been successful in this club have adopted that fantastic work ethic. That is what Manchester is really; it’s a working class city, with working class people - and that’s our history".


The new Manchester United home kit 2012-13 is available to pre-order now and will be available from 1st July. Now you've seen the new gingham design we'd love to hear what you think of the new Manchester United soccer jersey?

               


There's a sense of history repeating at Anfield – the Liver bird is back. It's a return to the '80s for Liverpool with the retro release of Warrior Sports first Premier League strip, who have taken over the design and manufacturing of Liverpool's kits from adidas. How will their debut design be recieved by the Anfield faithful?

 

                 

   

Newcastle United have unveiled their new Puma away shirt for the 2012/13 football season. A team on a high after an impressive Premier League season, it could be that this new burgundy kit is worn at some of Europe's elite destinations next season...


In stark contrast to the iconic black and white stripes on the home kit, the new Newcastle United away shirt 2012-13 features an all over burgundy colour with a horizontal weave and navy detailing across the shoulder and trim. Whilst printed on the exterior of the neckline on the back, is the year the club was founded '1892'.





For Newcastle fans this is quite a toned down new kit, after wearing bright orange, blue and even yellow away football shirts in recent years. The strong burgundy colour of the 2012-13 Puma Newcastle away strip continues on the shorts and socks, with just a navy horizontal band on the socks interrupting the look. 

                                        

Newcastle United have certainly performed above many people's expectations this season, but in Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse, Tim Krul, Cheik Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini, they have some of the Premier League's best and most consistent performers. With European football guaranteed for the 2012/13 season, the burgundy of Newcastle United away could be heading to some of Europe's top football stadiums.





The 12-13 Newcastle United away kit has been designed to maximise player’s on-pitch performance. The fabric of the new Puma football shirts feature U.S.P Moisture Management technology, which helps to enhance performance by dragging moisture away from the body.   

                

The Toon Army will be looking to kick-on next term and continue the club's incredible progression. Newcastle have the right mix of players at the right age, and if they can keep their players and make a few additions, they are a team to be taken seriously with this new look on the road.. 

                 
 
The Premier League's most improved side, what do you think of the new look the likes of Cisse, Ba, Krul, Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Coloccini will soon be sporting. Let us know what you think of the new Puma 2012-13 Newcastle United Away football shirt? 

                  
Nike and Arsenal FC today launch the club’s Home Kit for the 2012/13 football season. Drawing its inspiration from the Gunners’ rich history which is built upon 125 years of innovation, success and style, the kit is truly modern in its aesthetic and technical design. Take a look and let us know what you think!


                

The standout feature in the new kit is the blue (obsidian) details on the shirt sleeves, neckline and socks which give the kit a contemporary and fresh feel. These details complement the clean and refined look that has characterised Arsenal home kits for decades, a look that is instantly recognisable by the shirt’s block red body and white sleeves. As per tradition, the new shorts are pure white. 

 


The origins of the blue (obsidian) design features lie in Herbert Chapman’s innovative approach to the game. Arsenal manager between 1925 and 1934, Chapman led the Club to three league titles and an FA cup victory. He was a modernising tactician, advocated the use of numbered shirts and white balls, and also made significant changes to the Club’s kit for the 1933-34 season.


White sleeves were added to the previously all-red shirt and hoops were also introduced to the socks. The rationale behind these innovations was that Chapman wanted to maximise player visibility, making it easier for his players to pick each other out on the field of play.  

  


This season’s blue hoops which have been integrated into the socks, shirt sleeves and neckline for 2012/13 are an homage to Chapman’s influence on the Club. Whilst a nod to Arsenal’s history, this design features also lends the kit a modern, adventurous and bold feel, all qualities which Arsenal’s current crop of young talent epitomise.

                  

                

Chelsea Beats Liverpool to Win Fourth F.A. Cup in Six Seasons


 

Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-1 to win English soccer’s F.A. Cup for the fourth time in six seasons.
Ramires and Didier Drogba scored at Wembley Stadium in London as Chelsea captured England’s top club competition for the seventh time.


“This is what we play for, it was a great performance,” Chelsea captain John Terry told ITV. “People have slated us, saying we’re too old, past it, not together. But when the chips are down, we come together and we’ve done that superbly.”


 


It was a record fourth F.A. Cup final in which Drogba has scored. The Ivorian now has eight goals in eight career games at Wembley.


“I don’t know what it is,” Drogba told ESPN when asked about his Wembley scoring record. “I’m here to finish and score goals and when I have the chances I try to make them.”





Andy Carroll came off the bench to score for Liverpool. The striker thought he tied the game with a late header that was knocked away by goalkeeper Petr Cech but the score wasn’t given. Television replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball had completely crossed the goalline.


“I thought it was over the line,” Carroll told ITV. “We were unlucky. We had a few chances but couldn’t put them away.”





Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute as Juan Mata sent a pass to Ramires, who beat Jose Enrique down the right side and fired a shot between Pepe Reina and the near post.
Drogba doubled the lead in the 52nd minute as he took a ball from Frank Lampard at the edge of the area and sent a shot to the far post past Reina.


No Goal


Carroll came on in the 55th minute and tied the score nine minutes later. Jose Bosingwa’s clearing attempt hit Stewart Downing and the ball went to Carroll, who worked himself around Terry to blast a shot by Cech.


                    


Controversy arose with eight minutes left when Carroll’s header was knocked onto the underside of the crossbar by a lunging Cech before being cleared away. The Liverpool players argued the ball had crossed the line, though referee Phil Dowd and his linesman didn’t give the goal.


“I don’t think it was over the line,” Cech told ITV. “If the ball was behind the line I couldn’t have kept it out. I’m 100 percent sure it was not in.”


Carroll then had one last chance in injury time but his shot from close range was blocked by Terry.


Champions League Final


The victory keeps the Blues in line for two trophies this season as they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 19.


“It’s a completely different game, but it can only help that we won today,” Lampard told ESPN.


           


Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, who replaced the fired Andre Villas-Boas in March, joins former teammate Gianluca Vialli in winning the F.A. Cup as both a player and manager with the Blues. He’s the 16th person to accomplish the double.


                    


“It’s quite a unique situation to win the F.A. Cup as player and also coach the team and win it,” Di Matteo told ESPN. “I feel honored.”





Liverpool was trying to win its second domestic trophy of the season after capturing the League Cup in February.

   
ROTTERDAM (Reuters) – Coach Frank de Boer hailed Ajax Amsterdam’s second successive Dutch title as the beter of the two under him after his side clinched their 31st championship with a 2-0 win over VVV Venlo on Wednesday.


Siem de Jong netted a rebound after eight minutes to put De Boer’s team ahead and the striker added a second 13 minutes into the second half to start the celebrations.


“For the fans, last season was special because they waited so long for the third star on the shirt,” De Boer, 
who took over from Martin Jol in December 2010, told reporters.


“But for me and my staff this one feels more beautiful seeing what happened this season.


“All the injuries we had and then the turbulence through all the problems in our board, but we stayed loyal to our vision,” added the coach who also won five titles with Ajax as a player.


 


Having been sixth in the league trailing PSV Eindhoven by eight points after 20 games, Ajax put together a run of 13 straight wins and lifted the championship with a match to spare. They have 73 points, six more than arch-rivals Feyenoord.


Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman praised De Boer for his craftsmanship.


“I know Frank well, and he did a great job and won a deserved title,” he said.


“Nobody gave a dime for the chances of Ajax when we beat them at the end of January, but Frank stayed calm despite all the board turbulences.”


“He never used it as an excuse and kept everything far away from his players and that deserves a big compliment,” added Koeman.

 

Feyenoord remain second, in a Champions League qualification place, following a 4-1 win over Heracles Almelo, one ahead of PSV Eindhoven, who were 5-0 winners over ADO Den Haag. Otman Bakkal scored from a rebound after a Ruben Schaken effort which hit the post and three goals within 11 minutes from Jerson Cabral, Sekou Cisse and Schaken sealed Feyenoord’s win. 


Jeremain Lens opened the scoring for PSV midway through the first half, while Toivonen added two against Den Haag who had Kevin Visser sent off in the final minute. Heerenveen climbed to fourth with 64 points as they fought back from 2-0 down to beat Twente Enschede 4-3. Twente, who won the Dutch title in 2010, are sixth with 60 points and condemned to join the play off for a Europa League berth.


    


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