Everton have reportedly dumped Umbro as their kit manufacturer and have replaced them with Le Coq Sportif beginning with the 2009/2010 season. Also reportedly gone are kit distributors JJB who are being replaced by Kitbag instead.
Everton have developed a love hate relationship with Umbro over the years. Umbro has been Everton’s official kit manufacturer for 1974-1983, 1986-2000 and 2004-2009. The delayed release of the new Everton home shirt this past summer must have been the last straw for the club and its fans. The shirts were delayed by Umbro until late July because of quality control issues experienced in the Far East where the shirts were made.
A good indication that the rumor may be true of Umbro being dumped in favor of Le Coq Sportif is the fact that Everton’s online megastore have slashed their prices for their home, away and third shirt by 60% from £39.99 to £14.99. This is absolutely ridiculous. The third shirt was only released on October 7!
When Everton wore Le Coq Sportif kits from 1983 to 1986, it coincided with the club winning a ton of silverware. During this time, Everton won the First Division (1984-85), the FA Cup (1984), Charity Shield (1984 and 1985) and European Cup Winners Cup (1985).
The Le Coq Sportif years at Everton are synonymous with some of the club’s best players in recent memory including Gary Lineker (pictured above), Graeme Sharp, Gary Stevens, Kevin Ratcliffe, Trevor Steven, Peter Reid, Kevin Sheedy, Andy Gray and Neville Southall.
The only two Premier League clubs who currently wear Le Coq Sportif shirts are Manchester City and Stoke City. However, Manchester City look likely to sign a deal with Puma for the 2009-10 season and beyond.
