Club Level Revives Umbro Brand

Umbro apparel will be back on U.S. soccer fields this fall after a hiatus that saw the once lofty brand disappear from the country's soccer conscousness. Quality Stitching (Saluda, SC), maker of Club Level Sports team apparel, reached a licensing agreement with Umbro's parent company in early 2004 and quickly ramped up Umbro Teamwear USA for a Fall 2004 launch. A national rep network, consisting of reps carrying Club Level apparel plus many former Umbro reps, began showing the line to dealers in March.

"In my opinion, there's not a greater name or heritage in soccer, and for that reason I feel confident that dealers will enthusiastically welcome the Umbro brand back," says Mark Skomp, national sales manager for Umbro Teamwear.

Skomp calls the line "small, but smart." He says the company will grow the line gradually. Its intent is to meet the needs of dealers nationwide and outfit teams from rec leagues "up to the most serious leagues at the highest levels." Most uniforms, which will boast the same quality and design direction as Umbro apparel has in the past, will be manufactured domestically, according to Skomp.