England 2006–08 Away Shirt – Authenticity Guide
The England 2006–08 Away Shirt, made by Umbro, was worn during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and throughout the subsequent Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. It features a bold red design with modern panel shaping and asymmetric detailing. This shirt marked a departure from the traditional look, introducing a star above the crest for the first time. Known authenticity issues include fading crest embroidery, fake shirts lacking the internal neck taping, and incorrect tag fonts or stitching on the replica market.
Shirt Overview
- Team: England
- Seasons: 2006–07 and 2007–08
- Type: Away Shirt
- Manufacturer: Umbro
- Main Colours: Red with gold and white accents
- Competition Use: 2006 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2008 Qualifiers
- Available Versions: Short and long sleeve, fan replica and player issue
- Retail Release: March 2006
Design Details
- Red base with dynamic gold and white trim down the shoulders and sleeves
- Stitched gold Umbro logo on right chest
- England crest with single gold star above, stitched on left chest
- “England” taping inside collar
- Curved side panels for contoured fit
- Inside neck reads “England Official Licensed Product”
- Shirt paired with red shorts and red socks for full-kit consistency
Variants and Notes
- Player Issue Shirts: Lightweight fabric, bonded seams, heat-applied elements
- Replica Versions: Heavier material, embroidered logos, stitched care labels
- Youth Sizes: May lack gold detailing or differ in internal taping
- Match Use: Most prominently worn at the 2006 FIFA World Cup (e.g., vs. Sweden)
Player Info
| Player | Appearances (2006 World Cup) |
|---|---|
| David Beckham | 5 |
| Steven Gerrard | 5 |
| John Terry | 5 |
| Frank Lampard | 5 |
| Joe Cole | 5 |
| Ashley Cole | 5 |
| Rio Ferdinand | 5 |
| Owen Hargreaves | 5 |
| Wayne Rooney | 3 |
Season Summary
The shirt was introduced ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where England exited in the quarter-finals, losing on penalties to Portugal. It continued to be worn through the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which ended in disappointment as England failed to qualify under Steve McClaren. Despite the results, the shirt was widely worn by fans and remains memorable for being the first England away kit to feature the World Cup-winning gold star above the crest.
Final Notes
At Shirtchecker.com, we help collectors visually authenticate football shirts by documenting key physical identifiers and historic context. The England 2006–08 Away Shirt is best verified by checking for the correct collar taping, the texture and colour of the gold crest star, and the shaped side panel stitching. It stands out as a bold, era-defining design from a turbulent chapter in modern England football.
