England 1990 Third Shirt – Authentication Guide
The England 1990 third shirt, designed by Umbro, is one of the rarest and most distinctive kits in the national team’s history. Introduced as a backup during the Italia ’90 period, it featured a deep blue base and the same geometric jacquard pattern used in the home and away kits. Though only worn once in a match setting, the shirt remains highly sought after due to its limited use and striking colourway.
Shirt Overview
- Team: England National Team
- Season: 1990–1992
- Type: Third Shirt
- Manufacturer: Umbro
- Main Colours: Navy blue with light blue and silver trim
- Competition Use: Rare match usage; primarily a backup strip
- Retail Release: 1990
- Available Versions: Short sleeve (long sleeve extremely rare), replica and match issue
Design Features
- Dark navy base with tonal geometric “Umbro diamonds” jacquard pattern
- Fold-over navy collar with white and silver striping
- Embroidered Umbro logo in silver on right chest
- Embroidered England crest with red star above on left chest
- Ribbed sleeve cuffs with dual-colour trim
- Inside collar features Umbro tag with UK sizing (Made in England)
- Poly-cotton blend fabric, smooth finish
Variants and Notes
- Player Issue Shirts: May include stitched number on reverse and tighter tailoring
- Replica Versions: Near-identical in quality but lack match-day personalisation
- Match Use: Worn once—against Turkey in a Euro 1992 qualifier (1991)
- Fake Spotting: Most fakes lack proper jacquard depth, use flat blue fabric, or misplace logo alignment
Player Info
| Player | Appearance in 3rd Kit |
|---|---|
| Chris Waddle | 1 |
| David Platt | 1 |
| Tony Dorigo | 1 |
| Gary Lineker | 1 |
| Paul Gascoigne | 1 |
Season Summary
While never used at Italia ’90, the third shirt was included in the official squad kit set and made a single competitive appearance in 1991 vs Turkey in Euro 1992 qualifying. Due to colour clashes in that fixture, the deep navy shirt was used and never worn again, adding to its mystique and collector value.
Final Notes
At Shirtchecker.com, we support collectors in authenticating rare and historic football shirts. The England 1990 third shirt is easily identified by its rich navy base, distinctive Umbro pattern, and silver detailing. Because of its limited use and high demand, it’s also frequently faked—always verify fabric quality, embroidery sharpness, and inner label details before purchase.
