Umbro has pioneered sports tailoring since its founding in 1920. Creating new designs such as replica jerseys, the company has been a forerunner in athletic fashion and has set precedents for high quality apparel world-wide. Priding itself on excellence, the Umbro organization refuses to provide team garments that don’t meet the highest of standards.
1920 Brothers Harold and Wallace Humphreys open a sportswear company based in a wash house in Wilmslow, naming it Humphrey Brothers. It was renamed Umbro in 1924, the name being a combination of the “um” in “Humphreys” and “bro” for “brothers.”
1930 The first Umbro factory is built and the company establishes a 48-hour delivery service, which is incredibly innovative.
1934 Umbro makes its first major kit for Manchester City, which they wear when they win the FA Cup. Both teams in the 1934 FA Cup final, Manchester City and Portsmouth, were clad in Umbro.
During World War II, Umbro produced military uniforms and fittings for the interiors of Lancaster Bombers.
1952 Umbro supplies kit for the entire British Olympic athletic team.
1954 Roger Bannister wears Umbro to run the first ever sub-four-minute mile.
1958 Brazil defeats Sweden to win their first FIFA World Cup, wearing Umbro.
1966 By this time, 85% of all British clubs wear Umbro. This same year, 15 out of 16 teams at the FIFA World Cup wear Umbro, including England, the winning team. For this tournament, Umbro creates over 5000 different individual garments in order to provide players the perfect kit.
1971 The British & Irish Lions Rugby team, wearing Umbro, defeat the All Blacks to win a Test series in New Zealand.
1997 Roberto Carlos makes his infamous penalty kick wearing Umbro boots at le Tournoi.
2014 Umbro celebrates 90 years and releases its “What Colour is Love?”
video: What Colour is Love?
2020 Umbro announces a partnership with Bristol Bears Rugby and a four-year partnership with England Rugby. England’s Men’s teams, Red Roses, and Sevens will soon don Umbro on the field. It will be the first time that the team wears Umbro.
Umbro was the first sportswear company to introduce affordable youth versions of popular sports kit, long before replica jerseys became popularized in sportswear.
Rugby Union Teams
Club Teams:
London Irish Rugby
Bristol Bears
National Teams:
Ireland
Wales
England
