Retrospect | Umbro 'Customise Your Speciali' Edition Boots
Retrospect | Umbro 'Customise Your Speciali' Edition Boots
Looking back at Umbro's soleplate design competition. 
For our latest 'Retrospect' feature, we remember the special edition Umbro Speciali collection from 2009. The boots were the result of a competition which gave fans the opportunity to create the out-sole graphic for Speciali favorites such as John Terry, Gael Clichy Michael Owen.
We take a look back the boots chosen by the players and a special pair created by artist and head competition judge Stuart Semple. Graphic designers and football fans alike went all out to get their designs featured with the brand receiving over 6000 entries. Fifteen designs were made into a reality, with four being chosen by Premier League players. 
Pictured above, the 'Tailored' boot was designed by David Smith and chosen to be worn on pitch by John Terry. Inspired by and designed to be an extension of Umbro's 'Tailored by England' campaign which had previously launched the 2009 England home kit, the design depicts the sole of a classic British formal shoe such as a Brogue or loafer.
Gael Clichy, who was playing for Arsenal at the time, chose the 'Speciali Pride' sole plate designed by Marko Govorusa. Using hundreds of small Umbro logos, Govorusa's design was inspired by the passion and desire of a football match and outlined a roaring lion. 
The last boot to be chosen by a player was Michael Owen's 'Eat My Goal' boots which were designed by Tom Fournier. Tom wanted to do something unique and quirky and said the positioning of the studs reminded him of teeth in an open mouth, giving him the idea for the design. 
Two more designs made it onto footballer's feet, the first being the 'Dynamite' Speciali boots worn by Darren Bent. As the 'Customise Your Speciali' competition was running, the public could view entries. Bent spotted a 'Dynamite' design, created by James Else and wanted a pair for himself.
The then Sunderland striker tweeted saying "I want this on the bottom of my boot, SAFC fans will know why", so the designers at Umbro knocked up a few more variations. Umbro then put the new designs to the public vote and the winner was the design featured above. 
The last boots to make it on pitch were created by renowned artist and competition judge Stuart Semple. After being invited to look around Umbro s archives, Semple took inspiration from Manchester s cultural heritage and iconic football imagery. 
Do you have a favourite design fom the special edition Umbro Speciali boots?
