I interrupt regular programming to bring you a public service announcement. My custom t-shirts with a message are finally here!

Yes, a t-shirt that states ‘It’s Football, Not Soccer’.

Well, off late I’ve been quite annoyed by the ever-increasing usage of the word ‘soccer’ — especially by people who couldn’t give a shit about the sport (in India to be particular) had it not been for hype surrounding the World Cup. Some in the media think sucking up to the Americans is all of sudden ‘hip’ and go with the flow… you know with all the jobs being outsourced to India. (Disclaimer: I work for an American company, get the pop culture, the lingo, and consume a lot of American media… but some things will always remain the same to me.)

Why, here’s British comedian and actor John Cleese explaining it in typical eloquent fashion:

I’ve had the idea for this t-shirt for quite some time now. So last month, before the World Cup began, I started to find out how I could produce one and walk around town wearing it. I approached photo studios who do t-shirt prints and when I inquired about prices, it ranged from Rs. 250 to Rs. 500.  But I decided not to opt for it because I wasn’t very happy with the quality of the print (apparently, the photo prints only last 15 washes).

So for contacts, I approached the folks in my company who work with various vendors for procuring t-shirts. I approached one, got ripped off, complained, got my money back but lost precious time. I scurried to find another and found Myntra.

Initially I just wanted to do one, exclusively for me. But when I shared the design on Facebook, I got requests from friends and family asking one for them as well. After placing an order for an initial 10 (it would have cost me nearly Rs. 1000 to print just one so I had to order more), got my t-shirts, and was quite happy with the quality.

I got them printed in white, black and navy blue. White is what I wanted and what I think looks best with the print quality. My friends wanted darker colours and so I made a few for them.

If you want to know the dimensions for each Myntra t-shirt, refer to this chart:

Tolerance – say the actual length of Small size, is 25 inches, Myntra will pass the garment if the length is found to be 24 .5″ or 25.5″ i.e. +/- half inch tolerance.

Myntra also offered a choice of Reebok and Lee t-shirts to be printed on. They cost more but a navy blue option was only available with the Reeboks. So I took a few of those.

I found it a little weird that Reebok and Lee were supplying plain coloured t-shirts for others to print whatever corporate/custom design they wanted. (I kept picturing a toothpaste brand on a t-shirt beside the Reebok logo)

If you guys want to place an order for one (or more), do so by leaving me a comment below – or – email me at darkchild82@gmail.com. I’m nearly out of the 10 I initially ordered so I need to place an order for more based on requests from you lot. I’ll update this post on Tuesday with sizes available and a price because Myntra told me that for my next order, the price per t-shirt would vary. It shouldn’t cross Rs. 400 ($9/€7) a piece.

Edit (July 8, 2010): The regular Myntra t-shirts (white or black modeled above) costs Rs. 300/US$6.50/€5 (available in sizes S, M, L & XL)

The Reebok & Lee t-shirts (slightly better quality according to my buyers) costs Rs. 400. Let me know what size & colour you want and I’ll check with Myntra about availability from either brand.

(Shipping costs will vary with destination and I shall individually inform each buyer with that information).

If you are within India, you can pay me via bank transfer. If you are outside of India, you can pay me via PayPal or Western Union (if it’s feasible). My Middle East buddies can send me the money via UAE Exchange.

I will do my best to deliver via courier as quickly as possible.

P.S: I don’t want phonies or posers wearing this t-shirt. If you genuinely love football, you may order.