Here at Sport-locker.net we love a classic football boot!

And they don’t come more heritage than the Umbro Speciali.

So you can imagine when we got an invite to the launch of a limited edition lifestyle collection to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic football boot – we were quick to snap up the opportunity!

The Speciali has stayed true to Umbro’s football boot ethos throughout its 20 years with style, fit and comfort being at the very core of its design. These attributes that the Speciali has built its status upon, including the premium soft leather, have gone into creating the five-piece limited edition Speciali ‘92 range.

Available from 15th November, Speciali ‘92 is a crafted, premium leather range, which celebrates the iconic past of the Speciali boot through Umbro’s contemporary English football tailoring lens.

  

The hero piece within the range is Umbro’s classic silhouette, the Anthem Jacket, which has been put through a Speciali filter, offering a fusion of two iconic pieces of sportswear. The jacket is crafted from soft leather and the lining features a digital print, which details key Speciali moments. The Anthem Jacket is available in limited numbers of only 92.

Umbro’s lifestyle footwear silhouette, the Milton, is given the Speciali makeover and draws inspiration from the classic boot. Available in limited numbers of 1,992, this latest interpretation of the Milton takes some of the most recognisable details from the Speciali and uses them to create a contemporary lifestyle shoe. The Speciali ’92 Milton features a suede toecap and is completed with a flip tongue, a design detail that reflects the original 1992 boot.

 

The Speciali ’92 Pro Boot, a soft leather weekend bag and a leather ball, both made in limited numbers of 92, make up the five-piece collection.

Since its launch, the Speciali boot has graced the feet of countless greats and has featured in many iconic footballing moments. Speciali highlights include:

•             6 English Golden Boot winners

•             30 top tier hat-tricks

•             775 English top flight goals have been scored in the Umbro Speciali

•             5,000: number of games played in the Speciali on the highest stage

•             1994: Umbro releases the ‘Pele Speciali’ – one of the lightest boots on the market at 225g

•             Alan Shearer scores 5 goals at Euro 96 wearing the Umbro Speciali, securing the title of top scorer of the tournament

•             Roberto Carlos scores an “impossible” 35 yard free kick for Brazil against France in Le Tournoi in 1997

•             An 18 year old Michael Owen scores a wonder goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup

•             Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores the winning goal for Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League Final

•             Carlos “El Pipe” [The Kid] Valderrama, considered to be Colombia’s finest player, wears the Umbro Speciali between 1996-1998

Now for the showstopper – a limited edition football boot to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic Speciali.

Over the last 20 years, the Speciali has stayed true to Umbro’s football ethos with style, fit and comfort being at the very core of its design. These attributes that the Speciali has built its status upon have gone into creating the new Speciali ‘92 boot. Only 1,992 pairs will be available, offering a unique blend of Specialis past and present.

The Speciali ’92 pro boot is aesthetically inspired by the original 1992 Speciali and has been brought up to date with modern innovations for today’s game. 

Classic Speciali features include:

•             Iconic Speciali tongue flip covers and protects the lacing when striking the ball

•             Variable width eyestay helps to provide a more comfortable fit

•             Premium soft leather is used across the entire upper for the best fit, feel and overall performance

•             ‘A’ Frame provides midfoot support and helps keep the foot locked in place

Modern performance elements adopted for the Speciali 92 include:

•             ‘Clarino’ performance micro fibre suede lining grips the foot

•             Poron cushioned performance sock-liner

•             Modern conical hard ground [HG] plate combines improved traction for cutting while keeping the much-loved conical studs for HG conditions

•             Large articulation flex channel in the forefoot to increase and work in the natural flex of the foot

•             Moulded outsole spine provides tortional rigidity and adds strength

•             Bladed studs in the heel provide critical traction and stability as the heel strikes the ground

•             Ribbed front toe adds a secondary grip element when toeing off

•             Secondary forefoot traction on either side of the flex channel

Alan Shearer, the top Premier League scorer of all time, commented: “It’s the comfort and the fit which makes the Speciali a timeless classic. I received my first pair around the time I joined Blackburn and went on to enjoy many special moments – the second goal against Holland in Euro ’96 and breaking Jackie Milburn’s scoring record for Newcastle are two such highlights.”

Michael Owen said: “I’ve worn Umbro Specialis throughout my career and I’ve scored many memorable goals – both at club and international level. As a youngster, I would take great care in looking after my boots and my dad would encourage me to clean them after every game. Umbro’s Speciali boot is so close to my heart that I even named one of my horses after it!” 

Andy Carroll said: “I grew up watching the likes of Alan and Michael and always admired what they could do on the pitch – especially in front of goal. I’m extremely proud to be following their footsteps and hope to score many important goals wearing the Speciali.”

Players who will wear the limited edition Speciali ‘92 boot include Andy Carroll, John Terry, Pepe, Michael Owen, Deco, Michael Dawson, Juan Vargas and Wilson Palacios.

The Umbro Speciali ’92 limited edition collection will be available from 15th November 2011. Stockists include www.umbro.com , prodirectselect.com and Nike Town London.

Prices:

Specaili 92 Pro Boot: £110

Specaili 92 Ramsey Jacket: £295

Speciali 92 Milton: £89.99

Speciali 92 Weekender Bag: £149.99

Speciali 92 Ball: £75

What do you think of the collection? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter and Facebook pages.