THE VITALS:

Team: England

Brand: Umbro

Era: 2002-03 (Used for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and during the 2004 UEFA European Championships Qualifying Campaign)

Name/Number: Owen #10

CONDITION: EXCELLENT

Now ever 20 years of old; this article does looks in parts like it has gone through as much trauma as the national side have in that spell, as evidenced by the wear, the staining and hole in the back of the shirt.

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Small

Pit to Pit Measurement: 19 inches

Shirt Length: 27 inches 

Made in Umbro’s mould that they introduced in 2001; while the size label has washed out now, the dimension of this shirt are most consistent with what would be a size small by today’s standards – albeit the 19 inch width makes it a little bit wider than the norm.

DESCRIPTION:

Indicative of an era long gone by; Umbro released England’s away shirt for the 2001-03 home shirt cycle in 2002; with the shirt debuting in Engalnd’s 2-2 draw with Cameroon on 26^th May 2022 which took place on the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This shirt would follow much of the suit of the home shirt with both a v-neck collar and navy piping being utilised to compliment the classic red change strip. This shirt would most famously be used when England defeated Argentina 1-0 in their crunch Group Stage clash in Sapporo on 7^th June. This criminally underrated shirt would only be used on another two occasions before the new home shirt was released later in 2003 – the 2-1 win against Slovakia on 12^th October and then in England’s stunning 3-1 defeat against Australia on 12^th February 2003 in what was the final time England played in red until March 2004. This shirt would also be the first England shirt to be worn by Wayne Rooney in what was the first of his 153 caps for the national side!

THE STORY:

England’s place in the pot of 32 teams at the 2002 FIFA World Cup was sealed in a dramatic clash at Old Trafford on October 6^th against Greece. England captain and Manchester United super-star: David Beckham, in his club’s stadium would score an incredible 93^rd minute free kick to earn England a 2-2 draw and crucially, automatic qualification to South Korea and Japan in 2002. The year of 2001 would end with a 1-1 draw with Sweden on November 10^th.

England would descend upon South Korea and Japan for their final two warm-up games, however, they would be rocked by Steven Gerrard’s absence through injury, however, David Beckham was passed as fit following his metatarsal injury he sustained toward the tail-end of the season. A May 21^st clash with co-hosts South Korea at the Jeju World Cup Stadium ended 1-1, before battling to a 2-2 with Cameroon in Kobe 5 days later.

Drawn in Group F alongside Sweden, Nigeria and rivals Argentina; England kicked off against Sweden on June 2^nd, but could only repeat their 1-1 draw. Next up was the grudge match with Argentina! Argentina eliminated England at the World Cup in 1998 in a controversial affair. The two protagonists from that game: Diego Simeone and David Beckham were present, however, it was Beckham would earnt his retribution as his 44^th minute penalty earnt England a 1-0 win in Sapporo. England would then qualify at the expense of Argentina when they drew 0-0 with Nigeria in their final group outing!

Their opponents in the Last 16 were the conquerors of holders France: Denmark! The Danes however were no match for England, as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side put forth their best display of the competition; winning 3-0, with all 3 goals coming in the first half! Their reward was a quarter final clash with Brazil on June 21^st. Michael Owen would give England the lead, however, they would ultimately bow out of the competition as they fell 2-1 to the eventual winners of the tournament.

The national side re-united for their first game post-World Cup on September 7^th where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Portugal. The calendar year would end with qualification for Euro 2004 getting underway, beginning with a come from behind 2-1 win over Slovakia, and a ridiculed 2-2 draw at home to Macedonia. 2003 started with a friendly with Australia at Upton Park, and the ill-will that 2002 ended on, only continued as England were beaten 3-1 by the visitors. The game however, was notable for it being the England senior debut for Wayne Rooney.

The notable players that season(s) were:

Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Darius Vassell, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe, Robbie Fowler, Teddy Sheringham, Kieron Dyer, Paul Scholes, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick,Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Danny Mills, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Sol Campbell, Wayne Bridge, David James, Nigel Martyn, David Seaman