England's Jewels Remain Still Gleaming

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30 years of hurt, jewels remain still gleaming…

In 1996, comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner wrote a song to coincide with the Euro 96 tournament and basically remind everyone in England that the national side had been a decided failure since winning the 1966 World Cup. Since then, on pitch success has remained pathetic and sad (save for the U-17s relative glory in several European tournaments). Yet, off pitch, England's had some successes.

With Aitor Throup in control, the Three Lions final kits from Umbro managed to tie classical tailoring to contemporary athletic garb without looking all heritag-y. Similarly, the new Nike N98 England track jacket allows for soccer fandom without "full kit wanker" association. That is, if you can stomach the $600 price tag. And, by the way, that lone star above the crest is that jewel (a signifier of the '66 win) that Baddiel and Skinner believe still shines.