Kasabian Launch England Shirt

Leicester indie giants Kasabian have launched England's new away top at a show in Paris.

Football and music have enjoyed a close relationship. From fans singing at stadiums to players releasing novelty hits, pop and the beautiful game have long been linked.

With huge anticipation around England's bid for the world cup in South Africa this summer, speculation has been rife over the team's away strip. Kasabian ended any speculation over the shirt by running onstage last night (February 8th) in Paris donning the top.

Inspired by the red shirts worn by England when they last claimed the world cup in 1966, the new tops were given their debut by Kasabian.

The band played a storming set in Paris, rushing through a variety of hits alongside rarely heard material. Emerging onstage for their encore Kasabian wore the new tops to blast through recent single "Fire".

The new launch marks the first time that England footballers have not been used to launch a new strip. Speaking to the NME singer Tom Meighan revealed his excitement at being the first person to wear the new England shirt.

"I'm the first person to wear it which is crazy," he revealed. "They said they wanted to take it away from the footballers for once and do something up to date. They wanted to combine with rock n roll. They're two powerful things... I'm honoured to wear it."

The shirt will be worn in a game against Egypt on March 3rd, going on sale immediately afterwards. Kasabian singer Tom Meighan declared that the shirts would be a factor in the team's performance.

"This is how football shirts should be made: tailored," he declared. "It's really unique, I think Fabio Capello had a say in it... personally it's very strange to wear it before Wayne Rooney or Stevie Gerrard!"