logo
logo

Ranking England’s last 10 kits by their record while wearing them

England have released their new kits ahead of the 2018 World Cup, but how fondly will they be looked back upon in years to come?

Nike unveiled a plain strip ahead of this summer’s competition in Russia, with players and fans dreaming this will be the shirt worn as the Three Lions finally make another mark on a major tournament.

We’ve taken a look back at their last 10 cycles of home and away shirts, determining in which they had the best record, and also a highlight and lowlight from each period.

10. 2001-03

Played: 24
Won: 11
Drew: 9
Lost: 4
Win Rate: 45.8%

Highlight: David Beckham’s heroics against Greece and Argentina.

Lowlight: David Seaman slumped in the back of the next after being lobbed by Ronaldinho.

9. 2013-14

Played: 10
Won: 5
Drew: 3
Lost: 2
Win Rate: 50%

Highlight: Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain’s solo goal at the Maracana in a 2-2 draw with Brazil.

Lowlight: Consecutive home defeats to Chile and Germany.

8. 2016-17

Played: 24
Won: 13
Drew: 7
Lost: 4
Win Rate: 54.2%

Highlight: Adam Lallana scoring a late winner against Slovakia in Sam Allardyce’s one and only match in charge.

Lowlight: Iceland.

7. 2010-12

Played: 14
Won: 8
Drew: 4
Lost: 2
Win Rate: 57.1%

Highlight: Beating World Cup holders Spain 1-0 at Wembley. Yeah, it was a friendly, but there isn’t much to pick from.

Lowlight: Scoring two goals in the final five minutes to come back from 2-0 down against Holland, then still losing.

5= 2012-13

Played: 15
Won: 9
Drew: 4
Lost: 2
Win Rate: 60%

Highlight: Danny Welbeck’s back-heel to complete the 3-2 comeback victory over Sweden at Euro 2012.

Lowlight: Joe Hart trying to put off Andrea Pirlo in the penalty shootout defeat to Italy before conceding a Panenka.

5= 2003-05

Played: 25
Won: 15
Drew: 5
Lost: 5
Win Rate: 60%

Highlight: Wayne Rooney bursting onto the scene in exhilarating fashion at Euro 2004.

Lowlight: Ricardo taking off his goalkeeping gloves as Portugal triumphed on penalties.

4. 2007-09

Played: 23
Won: 14
Drew: 3
Lost: 6
Win Rate: 60.8%

Highlight: Winning 2-1 at Germany with a substitutes’ bench featuring Michael Mancienne, Jimmy Bullard and Kevin Davies. Gabby Agbonlahor started up front. Plus Sol Campbell’s never-ending slide tackle.

Lowlight: Steve McClaren, the umbrella, Scott Carson and that game against Croatia.

3. 2014-15

Played: 22
Won: 14
Drew: 5
Lost: 3
Win Rate: 63.6%

Highlight: Scotland 1-3 England? England 2-0 France? Gary Lewin breaking his ankle celebrating Daniel Sturridge’s goal vs Italy? F*ck knows.

Lowlight: Finishing bottom of Group D at the 2014 World Cup.

2. 2009-10

Played: 18
Won: 12
Drew: 3
Lost: 3
Win Rate: 66.6%

Highlight: John Terry’s valiant attempt to block a shot with his own face while crawling across the turf.

Lowlight: The rest of the 2010 World Cup.

1. 2005-06

Played: 24
Won: 17
Drew: 3
Lost: 4
Win Rate: 70.8%

Highlight: Michael Owen’s two late goals to seal a 3-2 win over Argentina. A meaningless friendly. A glorious, expectation-raising victory.

Lowlight: Yet another defeat on penalties to Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.


More from Planet Football

Michael Owen on that Argentina goal & Wayne Rooney’s England career

John Barnes: I was p*ssed recording World In Motion and Anfield Rap

Ranking England’s 10 most heartbreaking defeats since 1990

17 of the best quotes on David Beckham: ‘True winners are relentless’