He Tore A Hamstring Dot Mee Dot UK

Beer & ‘Tech’ – Shirty for the World Cup

When we think of the ‘stereotypical’ football fan, the mind cannot help but wonder to the likes of beer … um, beer … and of course Football’s Famous Chicken Balti Pie.

In fact, it would be fair to say that the Love Football TV Commercial, from 2006, by Carling gives a pretty accurate reflection … not always athletes! Of course, stereotypes are not always true, before the complaints start coming in!!

Every 4 years, as global attention turns to the footballing feast otherwise known as the FIFA World Cup, those who manufacture sportswear will rub their hands in anticipation of a ‘Christmas’ like rush, as supporters the world over purchase the shirts of their national teams.

This year, however, seems a little different. A quick perusal of various shops and websites had me running for the dictionary to get a definition of Dri-Fit, TechFit and ForMotion Technology, not to mention ClimaCool and ClimaLite!! Whatever happened to ‘comfortable after a few pints and a curry’ Technology??

Whatever happened to ‘comfortable after a few pints and a curry’ Technology??

I’m no longer the slim young man of my pomp, but would not necessarily hit the scales as obese, at 17” neck and 38” waist. Given that information, and previous purchases, I was delighted to find that the new England Away shirt fit my neck perfectly!!

Unfortunately, it hardly covered my belly-button! I was not surprised to find then that you can actually purchase the aforementioned and quite elegant top in a 56” chest … ah perfect for my stomach, and with the collar probably perched nicely on my shoulders!

Hallelujah then for my 2006 Stevie G England Top, which at 44” chest still seems to fit my ample frame with room to spare … confusion dot co dot uk!

For my next trip, I took a short walk to Birmingham’s very smart Puma store, with a view to a shirt from one of my favourite footballing nations, The Indomitable Lions of The Cameroon. Ever since their Roger Milla inspired performances of Italia ’90, I will confess to having a soft spot for the team from West Africa.

Now, I would like to think that I would usually fit into an XL fairly comfortably … but not an XL with lots of ‘tech’!! Apparently, I will fit into the Large of a Cameroon T-Shirt … or a Triple XL of the football shirt!

So what is the thought behind the modern design … and the word replica doesn’t mean that it has to be identical! What the muscle clad footballer of today can carry, the fun-loving supporter might not! Come to think of it, I think Gazza and Barnesy from 1990 may have been slightly uncomfortable in the new top! So when you stroll through the city or park at the weekend, take note that there will be a lot of kids, and dare I say a lot of very well toned young women wearing their football tops, but possibly not as many of your ‘traditional’ fans!

In the meantime, I will try and lose at least one X off my size before I try and fit into a Cameroon top in the coming weeks!! And who said football fans were stereotyped!