Umbro Logo PNG
The modern Umbro logo consistently draws attention with its stylish design throughout history. It skillfully combines loyalty to tradition and elegance, symbolizing the company’s unique charm. The central element of the identity is the diamond shape, which in its new form resembles a true gem, embodying the brand’s value. Thin lines, a clear shape, and the rich core of the logo create harmony, while the brand name, with its nearly century-long history, adds depth and character to each element.
The modern emblem successfully reflects aesthetic appeal, sophistication, and beauty. Its classic tone, enhanced with accents, is paired with a clean white background, emphasizing the quality of every product, whether it’s sportswear or accessories. This elegant combination of elements confirms that the Umbro brand represents more than sportswear—it symbolizes comfort and satisfaction, accompanying its customers on their path to success.
Umbro: Brand overview
Umbro’s history began in 1924 in Wilmslow, a small village in Cheshire, England. Brothers Harold and Wallace Humphrey founded the company, initially named “Humphreys Brothers Clothing,” which was later shortened to “Umbro.”
The company first focused on producing apparel for rugby and football. Enthusiastic about football, the Humphrey brothers saw an opportunity to create high-quality sports gear. Local football teams were their first customers.
In the 1930s, the brand expanded its presence in the football industry. The company gained significant recognition when it began supplying kits to several professional clubs in the English leagues. A major milestone came in 1934 when both FA Cup finalists wore the brand’s kits.
World War II temporarily halted the company’s growth as production shifted to meet wartime demands. However, after the war, the business quickly returned to its core activities and continued to grow.
The 1950s saw rapid expansion. The company’s status in the industry was greatly enhanced when it became the official supplier of uniforms for the England national football team. This partnership helped establish the brand as a leading producer of football gear.
In the 1960s, the company strengthened its position in the football world. Many top English league teams adopted its kits, and the business expanded into international markets. Its reputation was further solidified when England won the 1966 World Cup wearing its uniforms.
The 1970s were a period of innovation and growth. The company experimented with new fabrics and manufacturing techniques to create more functional and comfortable sportswear. During this time, the product line expanded to include football accessories and footwear.
In the 1980s, the company faced increased competition from giants like Nike and Adidas. Despite this, the brand maintained its position thanks to strong relationships within the football community and its reputation for producing high-quality gear. The company also invested in building its brand, launching advertising campaigns, and securing sponsorship deals with well-known football players.
The 1990s marked a phase of global expansion. The company signed deals with clubs and national teams worldwide, significantly increasing its international market share. 1992, the business went public, raising additional funds for further growth.
In the early 2000s, the brand strengthened its presence in the football world. The company signed deals with top clubs like Everton and Manchester City and expanded its product offerings to include casual wear inspired by football culture.
A major turning point came in 2007 when Nike acquired the brand for £285 million. The acquisition allowed the business to retain its identity while benefiting from Nike’s technology and resources.
Under Nike’s ownership, the company continued to innovate in design and technology. The business introduced advanced products, such as lightweight, stretchable T-shirts made with X-Static technology.
However, in 2012, Nike decided to sell the brand. The American company Iconix Brand Group acquired it for $225 million, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the business.
Under Iconix Brand Group, the company refocused on its football heritage. The brand revamped its image and marketing strategy to reclaim its status as a leading name in the football industry.
In the following years, the business continued to sign deals with national teams and football clubs. The company also expanded its presence in the casual wear market, introducing collections inspired by football culture.
With over a century of history, the company remains one of the most respected names in the football industry as of 2023. It continues to produce football gear and casual clothing, blending modern design and technology with its rich heritage.
Throughout its history, the company has weathered numerous changes in the sportswear industry, growing from a small family business to a global brand. Despite changes in ownership and challenging times, it has preserved its identity and remains a prominent player in the sportswear and football markets.
Meaning and History
What is Umbro?
This well-known British clothing and football gear manufacturer is recognizable by its double-diamond logo. The brand has outfitted many of history’s most famous football clubs and players. The company offers a wide range of products, including professional football kits, boots, casual wear, and accessories, combining advanced technology with street style. Thanks to its deep football heritage, the brand has earned the trust of both regular players and devoted fans. Although the brand is best known for its football products, it has expanded its range to include other sports and casual wear, continuing to uphold its reputation for durability and style.
1924 – 1930
The company’s identity has always been in motion, changing and adapting. Since its founding, the brand has undergone more than ten logo changes, each playing an important role in its development. The company’s first logo was introduced to the public a few years after its founding, reflecting a new identity and the evolution of its name.
Initially, the company’s products were released under “Humphrey Brothers” in honor of the two founding brothers, Harold and Wallace Humphreys. However, the name changed over time, which can be considered a significant event for the company. The new brand was named “Umbro,” thanks to an inventive abbreviation created by the elder brother, Harold. The simple letter equation 2+3 used the second and third letters from the word “Humphreys” and the first three letters from the word “Brothers.” This formed a new name that is now known worldwide.
The first logo featured this new name. It took center stage inside a diamond—the geometric shape integral to Umbro’s identity throughout the brand’s history.
The logo was white, with a large diamond standing out. The word “Umbro” was elegantly placed and designed retroactively in the shape’s center. The punctuation marks—quotation marks—that emphasized the word added an interesting touch. All the logo elements, including the text and marks, were rendered in bold black, giving the emblem originality and visual strength.
1930 – 1960
In 1930, a completely new logo was developed, fundamentally different from its previous version while preserving its original meaning and content. The primary focus was changing the color scheme, significantly transforming the emblem’s visual perception.
The diamond, as a symbol of the high quality of sportswear, remained the central focus. However, it was now set against a black background, with the brand name “Umbro” elegantly placed in the middle of the shape, rendered in classic white. This contrast allowed the logo to appear brighter and more modern.
All the letters of the brand name became larger, enhancing their expressiveness. The height of the letters was considerable, but the top and bottom parts did not touch the edges of the diamond. The applied design effect created the illusion that the letters blended with the black outline of the shape. This approach gave the logo sophistication and uniqueness, making it visually appealing and easy to remember.
1960 – 1974
This version of the logo can be considered more of an evolution of its previous iteration rather than an entirely new design. The color palette, consisting of classic black and white tones, continues to be used as before. White letters on a perfectly smooth black background create a sharp contrast, which remains one of the distinctive features of the logo. The font and letter placement have been preserved, though their sizes have been slightly reduced. The inner contour of the diamond, which separates the text from the geometric lines of the shape, has become more prominent, adding clarity and dimension to the logo.
The main concept and style remain unchanged, emphasizing the reliability of the “Umbro” brand and the high quality of its products. Each logo element has been carefully sized to harmonize with the overall composition. The first and last letters are reduced but remain sufficiently expressive, while the greatest focus is on the central letter “B,” which provides balance and completeness to the composition.
1974 – 2002
The brand’s rapid growth led to significant changes in the logo in 1974. For the first time in the history of the British sportswear and accessories manufacturer, the familiar word “Umbro” disappeared from the identity. This decision was not made by chance. The diamond had already become such a recognizable symbol of the company that there was no need for textual support, and the brand’s development did not stop there.
The new logo consisted of four geometric elements, each unmistakably associated with the brand. The central space that previously held the company name was now given to four diamonds of varying sizes. These shapes embodied the “Umbro” brand, symbolizing its evolution and growth.
Black and white colors continued harmoniously coexisting in the emblem, creating a sharp contrast. The largest element was the outer diamond, rendered in black. Inside it was a second, smaller white diamond. In the logo’s center were two additional, smaller diamonds, forming a visually complex yet concise structure, which became the brand’s new face.
1980 – 1996
Starting in 1974 and continuing until 2002, the brand made an unconventional decision by introducing three simultaneously existing logos. This phenomenon stood out against traditional approaches and was unique for its time. All three logo versions shared common features, but each had its distinctive characteristics. The logo created in 1974 focused exclusively on geometric shapes without any text. Its elegant forms appeared almost as a mirror reflection of the second logo, which, unlike the first, included text. This version showcased the aesthetic beauty of diamonds and emphasized the originality of the brand’s products. At the bottom of the logo was the inscription “Umbro.”
To add the text, the size of the four diamonds was reduced. The word “Umbro” was executed in black uppercase letters, perfectly aligned in a single horizontal line. The font was distinguished by its elegance and fluidity. The rounded elements of the letters gave the inscription a dynamic and energetic character. The text element on a white background created a sense of lightness and visual weightlessness, which added sophistication and expressiveness to the overall composition.
1990 – 2002
In 1990, the two logos were combined into a single original solution. According to the creators, the best elements and the most important details were harmoniously embodied in the new identity. The main goal was to highlight the uniqueness of “Umbro” sports products. That is why the brand name now occupies the central place on the logo, shining with grace and elegance. A bold font was chosen for its display, which gives the inscription confidence and strength.
Each letter of the logo carries special significance and symbolizes the high quality of the products. The brand name became the key element, and its importance was emphasized by the large scale of the letters, which are spaced quite far apart. All the letters are capitalized and aligned on a single horizontal line, creating harmony and order. The proportional relationship between the text and the four-outline diamond creates balance, making the logo complete and aesthetically appealing.
The diamond itself has an expressive and memorable appearance. Its four outlines—three inner and an outer frame—smoothly transition from shade to shade, creating harmonious unity. The alternation of black and white emphasizes contrast and adds depth to the image. The white background adds airiness and highlights the smoothness of the black letters, enhancing the impression of clarity and simplicity.
2000 – 2012
With the arrival of the 2000s, the identity of the “Umbro” company changed once again. The new logo embraced minimalism and elegance while focusing on its presentability and visual appeal. The diamond shape, which always symbolized the value of “Umbro” products, took on a new form.
The diamond is now horizontally elongated, with its upper vertices reaching toward the center of the figure, evoking associations with dynamics, movement, and sports. The logo gained a sense of “motion,” symbolizing physical activity and health. This symbol is no longer filled with a single color. The outer contours of the diamond are framed in black and white, which also alternate for the inner, smaller diamonds. These details emphasize the depth and layering of the logo, making it meaningful and intriguing.
The text portion of the logo received no less attention. The letters, aligned in a single line, appear balanced and equal in size, creating visual harmony between the geometry and the text. The soft rounding of the corners gives the letters a special appeal, making the font light and stylish. In this version, the logo became more complete and informative while maintaining its signature style and individuality.
2008 – 2024
In the new identity period, the brand “Umbro” seems to be taking a step back to its roots, returning to traditions from 1974 when it first decided to remove text from its logo. However, while retaining the basic geometric shape, the company decided in 2008 to focus on elegance, enhancing its appearance and style.
By then, “Umbro” had already gained recognition and customer loyalty. The products were in high demand, and the brand could afford to create a logo that could be considered an example of minimalism and refinement. The new diamond design adopted rounded shapes—instead of sharp angles, they now resembled sun rays, giving the logo softness and grace.
The semicircular peaks were used exclusively for diamonds rendered in black, while the white elements retained sharp edges, adding individuality and mystery to the emblem. This contrasting combination of geometric forms and tones created a unique effect, making the logo a mark and a symbol of the British brand with its rich history and recognition. Every detail of the logo conveys the brand’s idea, leaving a sense of exclusivity and the premium quality of “Umbro” products.
2013 – 2024
Another version of the British brand’s logo was presented to the public in 2013, remaining faithful to tradition while acquiring new, more refined features. The new logo still relies on the diamond, which symbolizes the value and quality of the products. This element is often compared to a diamond, and such a comparison is justified. The highest quality of “Umbro” products and the originality of the items remain unchanged, as does the brand’s reputation.
This version retains the traditional placement of text below the diamond. The brand name is positioned at the bottom of the logo, maintaining visual balance. As for the color scheme, the brand again stays true to its classic colors—black and white remain unchanged, emphasizing stability and reliability. Bright colors have never been used on the “Umbro” logo throughout the company’s history, and the new version is no exception.
The diamond is noticeably larger and includes not one but several scalable outlines. This repeating pattern of dark and light stripes creates an interesting visual effect, adding depth and dimension to the logo. Beneath the geometric figure is the brand name, rendered in a large font with smooth, rounded edges, giving it elegance. Each letter is carefully crafted, creating a harmonious composition that perfectly aligns with the brand’s philosophy.
2024 – today
For the first time in many years, the logo features a bright accent—a red element that draws attention. A small diamond, presented in a rich tone, adds dynamism and originality to the identity. Now, the geometric figure consists of three outlines instead of the usual four, and this change gives the logo a new look. The classic color palette—black, white, and red—adds stability and elegance to the logo. Three diamonds of different sizes have become the central element of the composition.
Although the brand name is important, it takes a secondary position compared to the geometric figures. Written in black, it maintains harmony with the largest diamond. The font is bold, emphasizing the weight of the letters. The text, consisting of five elegant characters, is positioned under the figure, aligned in a single line. The spacing between the letters is minimal, making them highly visible and easy to read.
The logo conveys a sense of lightness and freedom, where each element—whether text or figures—seems to float in space. The contrasting colors and geometry create a sense of movement, while the dynamism and simplicity make the logo memorable and original.
