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Dunlop shoes conjure up memories of the halcyon days of childhood, when everything was a bit simpler and life more easy going. They were the original plimsoll maker way back in the 1830’s when the shoe was developed as chic beach footwear by the Liverpool Rubber Company, from which Dunlop was formed. The characteristic plimsoll would serve the beach and indoor sports up until the 1980s when technology finally saw trainers take over as the sports footwear of choice.

If you play or follow badminton then you cannot possibly have missed Yonex. The Japanese giant of Badminton has been a driving force in the game and has helped develop it into the fast paced technical sport which it is today. They are current sponsors of the All England Championships and no more fitting a sponsor could there be. In this year’s tournament their Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei took the coveted title breaking the Chinese domination of the tournament. Yonex had a bigger part to play in his victory than the badge on his arm and the bulge in his wallet.

Prince is a name synonymous with tennis and has been a major force throughout the modern game. Some of the finest tennis players of the world have played with Prince, opting for the superior equipment which the brand is famed.  Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Patrick Rafter, Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova have all used Prince to take them to the peak of their game and the brand continues to innovate to produce equipment of the highest calibre.

Brooks running shoes have a long history in the world of running dating back 96 years to their Pennsylvanian beginnings. Now based in Seattle, this high quality high performance footwear brand is only second to running giants Asics in terms of sales, however for technology and innovation they are right up there at the top. When Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, or EVA, was developed in the seventies Brooks were the first trainer manufacturer to realise the potential of the new material for footwear, and in 1975 they became the first shoe manufacturer to used the EVA in the construction of their running shoes.

Gio Gio was borne from the Manchester music scene in 1988 when Brothers Chris and Anthony Donnolly, both well known DJs and regulars at the Hacienda, started producing clothing for the growing Indie and Dance scene. Manchester had been firmly put on the map and was the epitome of Indie coolness.  The brand started as Paul Oakenfold and Mike Pickering returned from America bringing with them Chicago house music, and started an unstoppable trend which defined a generation and changed music in the UK forever.

The American giant of sportswear, Nike (pronounced Nikie) is the world number one sportswear manufacturer with a global reputation for some of the best sportswear ever made.  The Nike brand was born of Japanese trainer giant Onitsuka Tiger, with key staff being involved with the brand. Nike started out with a similar style offering the same famed Onitsuka Tiger comfort, with a range of new styling more suited to the American market.  

Lacoste is a classic designer label brand famed for its high quality clothing and quintessential style.  Formed back in 1933, the French manufacturer has long been producing smart casual sportswear inspired designs with timeless styling and the highest quality craftsmanship.  Lacoste is a highly popular brand and a perennial favourite in the world of tennis, golf and sailing. They offer a full range of apparel for both on the court or course and for after-sport wear for the club and social scene.

Umbro started life back in 1924 when Humphreys Brothers tailors tuned their tailoring skills to sport, and started to offer clothes up to the rigours of football.  Born and bred in Manchester they didn’t just join the sportswear revolution, they created it. Umbro were the first company to take bespoke tailoring and apply it to sports clothes and were the creators of the modern football kit. They started providing clothes for football in 1934, and in the same year Manchester City and Umbro lifted the FA Cup. Umbro still have a fondness for Manchester City providing the clothing for the biggest challenger of the impregnable top four teams in English football.