English Premier League: Reviewing the New Uniforms for 2010-11

The summer is an exciting time for all football fans. Every team is unbeaten, everyone can predict trophies and promotions without fear of being proven wrong for months, and your team is linked with players you have seen batter your heroes the previous season.

Most of all, your team releases a new kit. Many criticize clubs for profiteering, but let's be honest, fans love it! Kids wash cars and save up for their cherished new clothing, and adults buy their game day armour ready for the new campaign.

Here, we look at a new kit from each Premier League team, Whether home or away, the kit that stood out is evaluated and our thoughts are shared.

We also tell you what the clubs say, armed with direct quotes from the propaganda-laden world of club websites.

Finally, we add a unique accessory each team can feature for extra merchandise sales!

Arsenal Home

WHAT WE THINK

There has always been a certain classic style about the Arsenal kit, whether Charlie George is laying flat out on the Wembley turf, or Liam Brady is strutting around with his shirt untucked, the Arsenal Way has always been a simple and elegant design.

The 2010/2011 version is no different; it retains the red base and white sleeves, while adjusting just enough to give people in the new shirt that opening day credibility when they roll through the turnstile.

WHAT THEY SAY

"While the design is traditional, the technology is cutting edge. Every shirt is made entirely from recycled polyester, crafted from up to eight plastic water bottles as part of Nike’s ‘Considered Design’ programme, which sees discarded plastic bottles diverted from landfills to be used in the manufacturing process." www.arsenal.com

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Reversible Fabregas jersey, the '4 Fabregas' shirt comes in reversible fashion. On one side the kit above, on the other scarlet and blue stripes, just in case.

Aston Villa Home

WHAT WE THINK

It is a winner, both in terms of look and psychology. It is a sleek version of the Villa kit; while looking modern, it still manages to follow the trend set throughout the decades in Aston Villa kits.

As far as psychology goes, Aston Villa have drawn criticism for starting fast but fading after Easter. The faux checkered flag is a reminder to the players to go strong all the way to the finish line, at least that's why we think it is there.

WHAT THEY SAY

"Made with Nike’s DriFit materials to keep players dry and cool, this football shirt includes the teams Sponsor logo, the charity Acorns, as well as styling from the 1980′s where the strip featured a half pin-stripe and half block colour design." www.astonvilla-views.com

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Claret and blue Stephen Warnock ear muffs. Available only in XXL.

Birmingham City Home

WHAT WE THINK

The Blues chose this kit by giving fans four options and allowing them to vote online. It is an excellent way to choose a new kit, even if the end result does make them look like a Rugby League team.

Birmingham's club logo is wonderfully traditional and really adds to the overall look.

WHAT THEY SAY

"Out of four contenders it edged ahead in a special newspaper and Internet poll. And the first kit to be manufactured by new Chinese suppliers Xtep has a touch of back to the future about it.

The white ‘V’ on the jersey recalls the attire worn by Blues in the early 1900s. Plus, for good measure, it was also the preferred kit of new owner Carson Yeung." www.birminghammail.net

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Club encrested wallets. Obviously very large ones with plenty of room for cash, as sported by filthy rich owner Carson Yeung.

Blackburn Rovers Away

WHAT WE THINK

For the home kit, little appears to have changed other than the sponsor. The away kit is a swanky little red and black number that will look great for any players who wear the classic Adidas Predator boots.

The sponsor actually looks great and adds to the look, a rare occurrence. A shame it could not go on a team more likely to be crowned champions; that would be very apt.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The stylish kit is part of the 'Tailored by Umbro in England' range and will see Rovers returning to a red and black away kit, that has proved so popular with fans in the past." www.rovers.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Pocket scrabble set in red and black. Special rule adjustment is that if you spell 'Khizanishvili' you automatically win...forever.

Blackpool Home

WHAT WE THINK

The Tangerine Army are a wonderful addition to the Premier League fashion stakes. Many teams were similar outfits, but a bright orange shirt will mean Blackpool can choose their home colours most games should they wish.

While it not be easy on the eye, it is unique. Imagine seeing a prime Alexi Lalas playing in this bad boy!

The design is very basic, but the sponsor is what makes it distinctive. Wonga.com is short term loan company designed to bail people put of an emergency. It may reflect the club's philosophy to new signings come January.

WHAT THEY SAY

"As well as sporting a new shirt manufactured by Carbrini, the club also has a new shirt sponsor. Pool chairman Karl Oyston is delighted to have secured Wonga.com as the club's new shirt sponsors." www.blackpoolfc.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Charlie Adam kilts. Tangerine tartan may seem ghastly, but when you are a cult hero like Adam, they will work, and they will sell.

Bolton Wanderers Home

WHAT WE THINK

Bolton Wanderers have a very distinctive look that changes little from year to year. However, this version has one slight downside, the sponsor looks like a five-year-old won a design competition to draw the logo on.

Frankly, it ruins the look and makes it look like the kind of rip off jersey your parents bought you for 10 pesetas on a family holiday to Spain.

WHAT THEY SAY

“This new design looks fresh and retains a strong sense of Bolton Wanderers' tradition and identity. I've no doubt it will be popular among our supporters.” Kevin Davies speaking on www.theboltonnews.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Club toilet paper, branded with the name of the player who wears number 24.

Chelsea Home

WHAT WE THINK

This kit may be similar to last season, but it comes with a wonderful touch. The red flash is a tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners.

For those who are unfamiliar, the Chelsea Pensioners are members of a nursing home for former members of the British Army. The pensioners attend game wearing red jackets, and the collar is a nod to them. Classy move, Chelsea FC.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The new Chelsea home kit for 2010-2011 season has been revealed. The design is pretty much same as this season with the most prominent feature being the red V-necks. Supposedly this has to do with the Chelsea Pensioners who sit in the main stands wearing red jackets." www.trueblue.com

UNIQUE ACCESORY

Nicolas Anelka white flags, commemorating France's World Cup surrender.

Everton Away

WHAT WE THINK

Everton's new home kit is unremarkable, and in fact finished dead last when Sun newspaper fashion writer Melissa Shedden ranked the 20 teams new kits for the 2010/2011 season.

The away kit is certainly unique and eye catching. The thing is, Everton are a Merseyside clubs with deep roots in a working class fan base.

On the field, Moyes has fashioned a side of iron will and relentless discipline. This kit, well, it's pink!

You never know, in this age of braver men's fashion, and raising breast cancer awareness, it may just catch on. At least Everton were predictable in their kit launch last time they had pink in their kit as shown in the video below.

You are a Merseyside club marketing a kit to your fans, so how do you do it, well its obvious, isn't it? You hire a bunch of Maori's and fly them halfway around the world to perform a tribal war dance on your field.

WHAT THEY SAY

“This new kit takes its inspiration from our Club’s history, indeed it dates back to the 1890/91 season when Everton were crowned league champions for the very first time. The old pink kit saw Everton crowned champions, we want this new kit to help take Everton to the next level.” Everton Chief Executive Robert Elstone, talking to www.epltalk.com

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Pink Tim Cahill boxing gloves. Lace them up after you score and lay a hefty beating on the first corner flag that looks at you in the wrong way.

Fulham Home

WHAT WE THINK

The black sleeves from last year have been removed, and it has made the look less distinctive. Preston, Derby, and now Fulham could all now pass for one another with the plain white look.

WHAT THEY SAY

Kappa, a leading brand in European sportswear, has developed this innovative Home shirt for the Fulham Football Club squad at its Kappa R&D centre in Turin, Italy, to the finest quality and design standards.

The new kit continues in Fulham’s traditional black and white, and incorporates the well-known Omini Kappa logo of the back-to-back male and female silhouette.

"Inspired by Kappa’s Kombat 2010 kit range and is characterised by attention to detail: three-needle seam with covering, ergonomic cuts on the sides, customized embroidery and the new V neck that gives new personality to the shirt.

These details along with the great stretch-fit enhancement and the hydro-way technology only add to the shirt’s functionality and elegance and allows it to reach the best aesthetic standards in the sports apparel sector." www.cottagersconfidential.com

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Horner Helmets, in honour of Viking Warrior Brede Hangeland.

Liverpool Home

WHAT WE THINK

Liverpool have went back to the future in a bid to end their title drought. This kit is remake of the uniform worn during their last successful title campaign.

If Uncle Woy is superstitious, then he will think this could be a small step to that evasive Premier League title.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The adidas strip represents a modern interpretation of the one worn during the triumphant 1989-90 campaign, in which the Reds won title number 18.

The traditional all red kit has key features including a jacquard fabric, laser cut woven club crest execution, and rich metallic gold piping detail that helps to create a jersey steeped in history, with a stylish modern twist." www.liverpoolfc.tv

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Club branded shampoo entitled Wash N'gog.

Manchester City Away

WHAT WE THINK

A nice kit with a catchy title, 'The Dark Side of the Moon.' City unveiled their new kit while on tour in New York. As photographed, a group of players descended on Manhattan playing fields to play against local players and traveling fans.

Such was the good will of the day, Wayne Bridge reportedly shook hands with every opponent.

This kit is a nice twist of the sky blue home classic, and looks good enough to be worn as casual wear, only by City fans obviously.

WHAT THEY SAY

"Clever, self assured and smart. That's our away shirt." www.mcfc.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESORY

Prank hand buzzer. Rather than not shaking an opponents hands, this cleverly can send volts of electricity though his body, causing injury, hopefully.

Manchester United Home

WHAT WE THINK

Does not sway too far from historic designs, but when your club has the tradition of Manchester United, why would you?

The one exciting addition for Manchester United fans is a collar. Now children and adults throughout Manchester can turn their collar up as they swan around pretending to be Eric Cantona.

WHAT THEY SAY

"It's a good colour and a nice fit. It's not as tight around the neck which gives you a bit more freedom and I really like the fact it has a collar." Wayne Rooney, talking to The Sun newspaper.

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Federico Machedo industrial strength hair gel.

Newcastle United Away

WHAT WE THINK

The Toon Army were rightly slated for last year's away kit, that made them look like a stick or rock, crossed with a deck chair, crossed with a canary.

This more traditional number is a sleek look in a nice shadfe of blue. The positioning of the wild animal logo on the shorts should lead to a few punch lines throughout Tyneside.

WHAT THEY SAY

"We're very pleased with the new kits and we're delighted with the look and design that Puma have come up with. They have delivered eye catching kits for the club and it's supporters." Managing Director Derek Llambias speaking to www.nufc.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Fabio Coloccini wigs, best barnet in the Premier League.

Stoke City Home

WHAT WE THINK

Stoke City have made some minor changes to their kit that have been met with a major reaction from fans. The three Adidas stripes add to the look, as they do with most kits.

The stripes on the back have been replaced with a solid red panel. Some more cruel observers claimed the stripes had worn off after Chelsea walked all over the team late last season.

Message boards and fanzines appear to indicate a largely negative reaction to the new kit from the fans.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The club thought long and hard about the move away from the more traditional look. But when the partnership was agreed, adidas kit designs had already been developed for the 2010-11 season.

"As such, and after weighing up all the benefits of the deal, the club decided this exciting opportunity to be associated with the leading brand in world football was one not to be missed. The club trusts their supporters will feel they have made the right decision." www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESORY

Elasticated shoulders, giving support and distance to long throw-ins.

Sunderland Home

WHAT WE THINK

Classic, traditional and brilliant. The Sun fashion writer Melissa Shedden rated this as the best new kit in the Premier League. It is something so pure you can imagine it is what your old Subbuteo players would have looked like if they ever came alive.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The new home strip has been crafted using the smart, stylish aesthetic that has inspired all of Umbro’s current designs for its top clubs. In the club’s traditional red and white stripes, the home shirt is constructed using lightweight and breatheable fabric. A mesh-vent seam under the arm aids this ventilation.

There’s a modern touch to the Black Cats’ classic stripes this season, with a ‘zig-zag’ warp knit design, while the shirt offers increased comfort to players and fans through a flat knit rib turn-down collar.

The level of craft involved in the new Sunderland shirt is exemplified in the magnificent crest, which is embroidered directly onto the garment.The traditional black shorts are trimmed with red and, in a change to last season, the players will sport red socks with a white turn-over." www.safc.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Sunderland beach ball, to be placed in fron tof the opposition goal before every game.

Tottenham Hotspur Home

WHAT WE THINK

Brave, it may not be huge but it is distinctly different from the traditional Tottenham look. In fact, the blue shoulders are reminiscent of Bolton Wanderers.

Hopefully, the similarity ends with the shirt and does not cross over into playing style.

WHAT THEY SAY

"We have worked extremely closely with the Club in developing a really strong and exciting new range of Tottenham Hotspur kits. The new home jersey incorporates PUMA's latest technologies, and we believe that everyone involved with the Club will be proud to wear the new kits." Puma Marketing Director Roger Harrison talking to www.tottenhamhotspur.com

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Where's Woody? Fun children's puzzle book in which they locate Jonathan Woodgate, who has not made the 25-man squad.

West Bromwich Albion Home

WHAT WE THINK

A decent kit with a frankly horrific logo. The traditional blue and white stripes synonymous with the Baggie's remain, but the ghastly logo overwhelms the look.

A huge red house tag is on the chest with what appears to be the players home phone number. It is the kind of thing you would put on your dog so he was returned to you should he wander off.

WHAT THEY SAY

"They are made from woven fabric and the new blue and white striped home shirt features 'zig zag' detailing and a classic style collar to give a modern touch to the Baggies' traditional design." www.wba.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

A line of club endorsed bags. Handbags, man bags, satchels, carrier bags, sports bags. Frankly, a club named the Baggies has done a poor job so far of exposing this niche in the merchandising market.

West Ham United Away

WHAT WE THINK

West Ham wisely backed out of their original plan for an away kit. They were set to feature a pink kit sponsored by lingerie and sex toy manufacturer Ann Summers. That could have possibly ended in a relocation to play games in Soho!

This choice is much wiser, a throwback design to the days of Bobby Moore, a time when West Ham were feared throughout the land. Old school fans will enjoy seeing the Hammers come to town in this uniform.

WHAT THEY SAY

"The shirt is a throwback to a kit first worn by the successful side of the late 1950's, when a young Bobby Moore made his breakthrough into the strong Hammers side that had emerged around the greats like Malcolm Allison and Noel Cantwell." www.whufc.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Rob Green non-stick pans.

Wigan Athletic Home

WHAT WE THINK

Horrific! Wigan appear to have been caught between going for solid blue, or maintaining last season's design. They ended up doing neither, and topped it off with the same sponsor logo previously discussed with Bolton.

WHAT THEY SAY

"From the player's point of view, they always look for comfort first, and durability and this is a very nice shirt. It follows the club traditional blue and whie and I think the fans will like it." Roberto Martinez, talking to www.wiganlatics.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Mario Melchiot dread lock wigs, another Premier League legend in the follicular department.

Wolves Away

WHAT WE THINK

The gold trim works well with all black to come up with this mean-looking number. It is the kind of kit the bad guys would wear in a Hollywood soccer movie.

It is just as well, if they wore pink like Everton, manager Mick McCarthy would begin every road team talk by telling the they look like "big tarts."

WHAT THEY SAY

"We've listened to fans' ideas on designs throughout the year and, together with BURRDA, we've come up with simple, retro style designs, using state of the art technical material." www.wolves.co.uk

UNIQUE ACCESSORY

Mick's Tarts. A range of confectionery products designed by big Mick.