England Shirts Criticised by Pundits, Fans over £90 Price Tag
England revealed their new home and away kits today, but there has been a reaction to the price tag from fans and pundits alike.
There are two versions of the home shirt for sale—a full "match official" version and a second "stadium" version. The former costs £90, but the second is just £60.
As Express & Star drily notes: "The differences between the two shirts appear negligible at first glance."
The two-level-shirt replica scheme is common practice in the United States, but in the United Kingdom there is usually one replica available.
Former England midfielder Joey Barton led the criticism on Twitter:
"Oh so ok, theres two tiers of shirt. 'real one' £90 and 'Stadium ?..Wtf' shirt £60. Which do you think kids will pressure their parents for?
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 31, 2014"
"Appalling. In my opinion. Football again allows commercialism to eat away at its soul. Something has got to give.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 31, 2014"
Bleacher Report football columnist Stan Collymore had his own enterprising solution to getting the new England shirt:
"Just saved myself 90 sheets. Cone on England!! pic.twitter.com/w6GvWuFZMY
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 31, 2014"
On a similar theme, TheSPORTBible had another such plan (admittedly one relying on fans' grandmothers to be handy with a sewing needle):
"£90 for the new England shirt, or alternatively... pic.twitter.com/sEYreV8y94
— TheSPORTBible (@TSBible) March 31, 2014"
And fans were vocal about the price tag:
"I would say I can't believe they're charging £90 for the new England tops, but in this age of football, I can. Ridiculous.
— Watto (@wattooooo) March 31, 2014"
"You'd rock up at JD Sports looking for new club kit, notice England shirt £15 cheaper and think 'deal'. Who's going to pay £90 for tshirt?
— Reda Maher (@Reda_Eurosport) March 31, 2014"
"How they go an charge £90 for the England kit like they've won a major tournament in recent years
— Vincent Carter (@vincent_carter) March 31, 2014"
"90 quid for the new England kit is a proper joke...if I was a kid my mum would never be able to afford that.
— Charlie Sloth (@CharlieSloth) March 31, 2014"
"£90 for a shirt that will be replaced in a years time and will be on sale in Sports and Soccer for half that straight after the World Cup
— Nick Goldstein (@goldsteinnick) March 31, 2014"
As people often say at times like this, however: If you don't like it, you don't have to buy it.
