February 6, 1991 was a very cold night.
The pitch at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham was not short of snow for the Wales-Republic of Ireland (with an orange ball) game, while at Wembley the conditions were bitter too.
Cameroon were the visitors for a repeat of the 1990 World Cup quarter-final against England – though without Roger Milla, who was rumoured to have demanded an appearance free. The African side were also without their distinctive adidas shirts as two Gary Lineker goals gave England a 2-0 win.
As you can see, the shorts and socks were the same as what had been worn at Italia 90, but the kit was a mash-up in the truest form, with the shirts a green version of the sky-blue England third.
The story goes that the weather was so cold that Cameroon needed something warmer than their short-sleeved shirts and the FA and/or Umbro came to the rescue by badging up teamwear. It’s backed up by the fact that goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell was in a normal adidas long-sleeved goalkeeper shirt rather than Umbro.
It certainly seems a plausible theory, but if you know of any alternative story that can be backed up, do let us know.
I was at that Wales v Republic of Ireland game, was a very cold night and we didn’t play particularly well. If you’d have told me within 4 months we’d have beaten Germany, the reigning World Cup holders, I’d have bitten your hand off!
I went to that game on a school trip, age 14. It was so cold and the teacher would not let us do the Mexican wave, so we could not even stand up or move. Sadly I hardly remember the game, only the pain of the -12 in my feet and hands.