New Barrow AFC kit to be unveiled at London icon
Last updated at 14:49, Tuesday, 30 December 2014
BARROW AFC are gearing up to launch their 2015/16 first-team home and away kits at a glitzy New Year’s Day bash at London’s lavish ‘Gherkin’ building.
The evening reception will be held on the top two floors of the landmark building formally known as the 30 St Mary Axe, and which is situated in the City of London.
With national media outlets such as Sky, the Daily Mail and The Independent invited, the club’s home and away strips – delivered by new kit supplier PlayerLayer – for next season will be unveiled on Thursday.
But the high-profile event has a wider purpose as AFC owner Paul Casson is determined to begin the process of driving the club’s community-orientated brand into the ‘national consciousness’.
“So the community – starting with the kids, the community initiative and the stadium and its supporting infrastructure will help the club’s sustainability,” said Casson.
“All of those things build up to this actually becoming a community centre. So Barrow AFC has a brand. So this is actually more than a kit launch, it’s actually a brand launch which is why it’s in London. We’re not just introducing next year’s kit, although that will be one of the centre pieces. This is introducing Barrow AFC to the national consciousness.”
Barrow also plan to hold a supporters’ kit launch night at Holker Street, probably around March time, where players will be on hand to model the strips in front of fans.
The new home kit design consists of a predominantly white shirt, blue shorts and white socks. Meanwhile, the away strip will offer a predominantly blue shirt, with white shorts and blue socks.
The design of a third kit has yet to be finalised, while PlayerLayer will also supply such items as AFC training kit and leisure wear.
Barrow will seek a first-team kit sponsor over the coming weeks and months, with it not yet decided whether Coral will continue in that role – with their name printed on the kit – beyond this season. The club hope that a deal will be in place with a sponsor for next season in February or March.
A first-team kit fashion show will take place at Thursday’s London launch, while a trailer for the club’s forthcoming documentary will also be shown on the night.
Commenting on the quality of the new kits, Casson added: “I think they’re stunning, I think the fans will be very happy.
“The quality is incredible.”
Meanwhile, AFC’s chairman Casson has revealed that he is to become the club’s new chief executive, taking over from fellow director Jamie Reid who will remain on the board. Casson says he can keep in daily contact with club officials and staff, such as boss Darren Edmondson, through such communication tools as Skype and, as he points out, he regularly keeps in contact with his many business offices in the US.
“Jamie did an excellent job,” said Casson.
“He said he was going to give us six months to start off with. He’s done that, and like everybody else in their lives, he’s got other things to do. We’ve sort of made very good strides in some places, and not so great strides in others.
“So we just basically now have to put our business plan together. It’s my business plan and so I will be the one putting it together and implementing it.”
Reid’s new role has yet to be fully defined, although he is likely to remain at the forefront of helping to drive through the Holker Street development plan.
First published at 09:56, Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Jamie, We can never forget your part in the club. Well done from those on the terraces. Give us a wave sometimes where ever you may be sitting.
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In a Pickle on the pitch, In a Gherkin off it, hope the Gherkin is more fruitful.
Posted by Mike Wilson on 1 January 2015 at 18:56