England shirt updates — Football fans furious after change to St George’s Cross on 2024 Nike kit as FA ‘stand by’ move

England keeper weighs in

Former England goalie David Seaman, who played 75 times for his country, has told kit makers to leave the St George's Cross alone.

He said: "It doesn't need fixing. What's next, are they going to change the Three Lions to three cats? Leave it alone.

"It's the St George's Flag. Leave it alone. I'm sure that if they'd approached the lads and asked them about it, they would have said no. Just leave it alone."

Why did Nike change the St George's Cross?

The change is thought to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners’ training kit – which contained blue, red and purple.

The change led to some labelling the shirt “woke” as they called on the manufacturer to revert back to the usual colours.

Although there has been no indication from Nike that the change had any political motivations.

FA will not recall England shirt with altered St George's Cross

The new England kit, which features a slightly altered St George's Cross, will not be recalled, the FA has confirmed.

The FA told The Times: "The new England 2024 Home kit has a number of design elements which were meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team.

"The coloured trim on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, and the same colours also feature on the design on the back of the collar.

"It is not the first time that different coloured St George’s cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts.

"We are very proud of the red and white St George’s cross – the England flag.

"We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be displayed prominently at Wembley tomorrow – as it always is – when England play Brazil."

How much will it set you back?

The new kits, which are reportedly designed to “unite and inspire”, are retailing at £124.99 for adults and a whopping £119.99 for children.

Fans can also get their hands on a cheaper “stadium” version which costs £84.99 and £64.99 for children.

Keir Starmer also said that Nike could “They could also “reduce the price of the shirts”.

A kit change could take up to 9 months

The 2024 kit was agreed upon two years ago and the unlikely decision to create and distribute a new one would take between six and nine months.

It is understood the flag alteration was the work of a Nike designer, but was also signed off by the FA.

And the FA insist the decision was made to “honour the classic colour regime of 1966 training gear”.

'It's a national identity and I just don't really think it needs to be changed'

Adrian Bevington, the former FA managing director, said he would not have signed off the shirt.

He told TalkSPORT: "I think it's an emotive subject and it was always going to cause the conjecture that we've got.

"I always try and see it from all sides, and I understand from Nike's perspective they're looking to push all the time and be cutting edge and as modern as they can be to the different markets they serve."

Bevington said however, it is "our flag".

He continued: "When the games take place, particularly during the tournament, you'll see the stadium absolutely swamped with the cross of St George hanging everywhere.

"It's a national identity and I just don't really think it needs to be changed. And it's going to upset a lot of people because people do feel passionate about this."

Peter Shilton 'totally against' new kit

Former England goalkeeper Shilton also has his say - announcing he was "totally against" the new shirt.

He told GB News: "I am totally against it, which I don't think is a surprise. I mean I am a traditionalist, really.

"I think we have seen a lot of design changes on shirts and that's to get the fans to buy the new shirt every time it changes.

"But now they are messing with the colours on a national flag and you know, where would it stop once it starts?

"Is the next shirt going to have more changes in the colour? So I am against it, I think it is wrong.

"It is only a small change, but I think it could be the start of more changes.

"That's the way I look on it, once you start changing the colour. I mean the Three Lions is obviously traditional and the fans love that.

"I am very surprised to be fair that the FA agreed to this but it's all about money and making money and if the shirt sponsor says look 'we'd like to do this' then sometimes you get maybe members at the FA who think, 'Oh well, we are getting paid well for it.' 'You know, we won't bother'."

Harry Reknapp slams new kit

Footie legend Harry Redknapp has had his say on the saga.

Redknapp this morning blasted the decision as "an absolute disgrace".

He slammed: "I've seen plenty of own goals in my time, but this has to be the worst ever.

"Who on earth thought this was a good idea? It's the cross of St George, red and white...would Nike do this with another country's national flag?

"It's something that should be respected, not changed for a bit of playful fun, as they put it.

"In my book it's an absolute disgrace - I hope they see sense and have a rethink."

'Don't mess' with the flag

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has waded in on the decision to change the St Georges Cross.

The culture secretary said: "Fans should always come first, and it's clear that this is not what fans want."

"Our national heritage - including St George's Cross - brings us together. Toying with it is pointless and unnecessary," Ms Frazer said.

What colour is the away kit?

The home kit is the classic white with a blue collar and blue shorts.

Meanwhile, the second strip is all purple and has received widespread praise from fans.

Lastly, the keeper's will line up in between the sticks in eye-catching orange jerseys.

Rishi Sunak slams kit

The Prime Minister has today spoken out on the kit, which has been showcased for Euro 2024, and said St George's Cross "should not be messed with".

Mr Sunak has said he "prefers the original" England shirt, as he waded in on the row over Nike's decision to change the colour of the St George's Cross on its new jersey.

He said: "Obviously I prefer the original, and my general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them.

"Because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are."

How did England unveil the new kits?

Players from the men's, women's and para teams were part of a photoshoot showing off the fresh Nike attire.

Among the stars included Harry Kane, Mary Earps, Phil Foden, Beth Mead, Declan Rice, Lauren James and Bukayo Saka.

How much are the new kits?

The new kits that are deigned to "unite and inspire" are retailing at £124.99 for adults and a whopping £119.99 for children.

Fans can also get their hands on a cheaper "stadium" version which costs £84.99 and £64.99 for children.

Keir Starmer also said that Nike could "They could also "reduce the price of the shirts".

What does the new kit look like?

The Three Lions' strips were unveiled on Monday with the traditional red cross altered to one with navy, light blue and purple.

Nike have opted to stick with the usual red, white and blue colours.

Keir Starmer slams decision to change St George's cross colour

Keir Starmer slammed the FA and Nike for changing the “unifying” St George’s flag on footy shirts.

Sir Keir said the original colours were “unifying” - and called the St George's cross “something to be proud of”.

Speaking to Harry Cole on the Sun’s brilliant new politics show Never Mind the Ballots he said: "Yeah it was. I'm a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women's games.

"And the flag is used by everybody, it's unifying, it doesn't need to change.

"We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back."

Simon Jordan slams move

TalkSPORT host Simon Jordan has slammed the decision to alter the St George's Cross.

He said: "I don't quite understand why Nike want to have a playful brief on our identity.

"Is our national identity a joke, is it something we're ashamed of? I think our national identity is something we should be proud of. I don't find it offensive, I find it unnecessary. 

"Rather than reclaim it, what we'll do is put up a meaningless cross that has no value to it and represents nobody.

"No other country would allow this to happen, they wouldn't allow it to be done on their national shirt.

"This is the same Nike that couldn't even be bothered to produce Mary Earps shirts. I don't think we should be taking lessons from Nike on the values of this country.

"And the FA are absolutely complicit in this. The FA will have their virtue-signalling fingers all over this."

How long would it take to change the kit?

The 2024 kit was agreed upon two years ago and the unlikely decision to create and distribute a new one would take between six and nine months.

It is understood the flag alteration was the work of a Nike designer, but was also signed off by the FA.

And the FA insist the decision was made to "honour the classic colour regime of 1966 training gear".

Nike will not budge

According to The Mail, Nike will not succumb to pressure from some England fans to change the alteration.

A Nike spokesperson said: "The England 2024 Home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.

"The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple.

"The same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag of St. George on the back of the collar."

What could be the reason behind the colour change?

It is thought to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners' training kit - which contained blue, red and purple.

The change led to some labelling the shirt "woke" as they called on the manufacturer to revert back to the usual colours.