New York Cosmos by Umbro Range Online @ MainlineMenswear.co.uk

Back in 1971 a group of wealthy Americans and a British sports writer decided to set up an NASL franchise in New York. After much deliberation and some slight underhand work from travelling Brit Clive Toye, the general manager the New York Cosmos were born. Soon after the sky blue kit was ditched and a green and yellow strip was favoured, with the intention of luring Brazilian superstar Pele to the club. Four years later the franchise owners got their man and Pele signed for the Cosmos on a $1.4 million yearly deal. It has been estimated that this is worth around 6 or 7 million in today's money, so was a massive deal for a sports star at that time. His arrival led to the team adopting the colours of Santos and sporting a white, green and yellow kit, designed in later years by none other than Ralph Lauren.
Two and a half years of hype, press speculation and championships followed while Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and Giorgio Chinaglia were signed to further enhance the abilities and image of the brand and franchise. As the image grew capacity crowds followed the team around the country and the best players joined the league including George Best and Johan Cruyff, who coincidentally nearly signed for the Cosmos, only to be snapped up by the Los Angeles Aztecs.

The team built many bridges within the New York area and united every race, culture and background before the inevitable happened, Pele retired from football. After he had left the crowds began to get less and less, television and media deals signed on the back of the Pele exposure came to an end and weren't renewed and the money in the league slowed down severely. Wages caps were put in place, the best players left for Europe and the NASL became a shadow of its former self relying on home grown players and unknown overseas talent. The NASL finally ran out of steam in 1984 and dissolved, with the NY Cosmos managing a further 33 games in the Major Indoor League before going the same way as the league.

In 2009 ex vice chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Paul Kemsley bought the naming rights and license to the New York Cosmos and began laying the foundations alongside Pele, Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones for a new team the enter into the MLS from 2012 - the New York Cosmos. With big things expected of the team this could be a historical twelve months for the franchise that has the backing of Nike, Umbro and every football fan in the world. Showcase signings will be made, the heritage of the team has been re-created in the new strip and championships will be won again, possibly with the addition of an out of contract David Beckham? Who knows, its only speculation, but big signings will be made and the New York Cosmos will be a force to be reckoned with again in the USA and the world.

Be a part of this fantastic history by joining the New York Cosmos fans in buying the new merchandise designed by Umbro and available on launch day from Mainline Menswear, a leading independent retailer of designer clothing and sportswear. The range of t shirts, replica shirts, track tops, hooded zip tops, Pele inspired clothing and hoodies are available now, and throughout the next year or so as the brand is released in stages.

Remember: Mainline Menswear are Trend Setters... Not Followers!!!

http://www.mainlinemenswear.co.uk/section.php?xSec=970

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This release was published on openPR.