Just had a look at the new stuff in the club shop

Part of me can't wait to get shut of them but on the other hand I'm not sure we'll get anyone better. Can't see Nike or Adidas being interested. Who would be realistic alternatives?

 

Would love Umbro

 

Beever or Palada anyone.
Went in this morning and the prices look pretty reasonable. (For football wear that is) Not gone through the roof like everyone was expecting. Do like the black top with the Toby badge. £25 kids
£30 adults. more yet to come in apparently. Priority for me. Need to get more kids stuff in asap for the hols. Imo.

 

Owned by Nike. There's been rumours for a while that they'll stop doing kits

 

Do they have any Pots, made of Tin, with the BFC logo?

 

Adidas have done Macclesfield and Accrington so there's every chance, best kit maker out there.

Could be kid super...

 

Some more past suppliers.
Red Flag, Koala, Jako, Surridge, Intersport, Lotto, Avec, Admiral, Gola.

 

I like Avec. But suppose if we’re having bespoke kits it doesn’t matter who the manufacturer is…

 

What about Jacamo

 

Weren’t Ave summat to do with Nike and the agreement was last year if contract had to be Avec ? Think Bradford and Donny were similar

 

Av got a chiselled body, it only takes about 15mins of chiselling minst. That's from a solid block

 

One that can ensure it’s available prior to the season starting being the main one. Difficult to want to pay full price for something when it might be released after the season starts (away shirts) and even the home shirt is scheduled to be released just before the first game of the season.

 

They're a bit too skinny fit for me. I buy XL in most t-shirts, jumpers or hoodies but the styling of the Puma shirts has meant buying XXL to feel comfortable. Not the biggest issue, but it does bother me. Aside from that, I just haven't been too taken by their designs.

Important things would be design, quality, price, availability and club revenue.

Design speaks for itself. This year's selection has really divided the fans. The black away kit did last season too. There'll never be a shirt that everyone likes but the more people that like it, the more people will buy it. In theory.

Quality. Didn't we have a lot one season that pretty much fell apart after a couple of washes? Not good enough. They might not be able to be made from 100% ethically sourced finest quality cotton but they need to be durable enough to last and look good for as long as the average fan is going to wear them.

Price. Everyone knows the shirts are made from recycled bottles in sweatshops in some far flung part of Asia. And it'll be replaced within 12 months. So don't charge £70 for it. Anything over £40 is bordering on criminal.

Availability. I remember a time when clubs used to play their final home game in next season's kit. Not sure they were available to purchase that early but the age old joke of Father's Day holds some truth. Get the kits in the store early enough and you'll likely sell more as people buy gifts for Father's Day or get them to wear on summer holidays.

Club revenue. Not sure how the contract works at our level but Premier League clubs tend to get a contracted deal and then additional payments depending on how many shirts they shift. I'm assuming we just get a fee based on the number we sell. It's important the club is savvy enough to maximise that without compromising too much on the other factors.

I'm not sure which I'd say is the most pressing. Ultimately, if I don't like the design, I won't buy it. However, I also won't buy one for £100 even if I think it's the greatest shirt we've ever had.

 

What would be the key drivers for you, as a supporter, regarding a new Barnsley FC kit manufacturer? Well known brand, remember going through all the crap before we went with Lotto. Looks a lot more professional and let's be honest more appealing especially to the younger end. I do wish we would design a better looking badge, reinvent a modern one like the Juve badge.

Is the price point the key, or are you more interested in the actual design, or is it all down to the manufacturer? More interested in design and manufacturer.

What do you think the club should be considering if / when they start looking for a new supplier. Adidas.

 

Is a soft launch like a behind closed doors kind of launch?

 

Just had a look on the online store, away kit and third kit says ‘This item ships on or before Friday, 25 August 2023.’

If that is as late as 25th August 3 weeks after the season has started I think that’s very poor commercially from us.

 

On a slow boat from China.
Agree though. Have we ever gone into a season without the Home kit available for the first game in the club shop. I think it's available online to be delivered b4. But poor in any circumstances.
Pre order by the club date with design to the manufacturer. has to be a priority for next season. 2024/25
Bloody September this year if need be.

 

Isn’t it due to needing to get to get the kit authorised by the EFL? Sure that was mentioned some months back. Then we’re reliant on the manufacturer cracking on with making them/shipping them.