New shirt launched

08 July 2003

The new home shirt has just been launched on the Official Web Site to something of a mixed reaction. The latest design features traditional blue and white stripes with white shoulders, but also includes red patches under the arms and around the round, collarless neck and edges of the sleeves - and although the site describes it as carrying a commemorative lozenge to celebrate the Club's 125th anniversary, it doesn't seem to be visible on the photo. The West Bromwich Building Society logo has also changed - it no longer has the strange greeen tree-like object above their name.

The matching shorts are plain white, and the socks are navy blue with white stripes around the top. It won't be in the club shops until July 22nd, the day after Albion complete their pre-season tour of Denmark, but it can be pre-ordered now. Because it's a one-off special to celebrate the anniversary, it will be replaced by a new one in a years time, much to the further annoyance of supporters who have normally only had to shell out for one new kit a year, but this year's change in manufacturer to Diadora has meant replacing both designs.

Reaction so far has been vastly more negative than positive. Adam Hingley told us:

"This is a joke surely...I mean it must be. What happened to the policy of keeping a kit for 2 years and not ripping the fans off?"

"what are those red bits all about? Whats the red collar all about?"

"We are Navy Blue and White...and that's that. I can accept a little bit of trim here and there but I just can't buy that. I just can't."

Graham Davies was equally scathing:

"Disappointed. That's an understatement! I just cannot comprehend the red bits! Who decided that we needed a splash of red? And who at the Albion agreed with them?"

"A complete disaster."

John Wilkes agreed:

"After my first look of revulsion at it, I think it would be ace without the red patches. What is it with these designers? We've rejected shirts with red bits on them before, why keep pushing them on us? I can accept red fluting (grudgingly), but huge red patches under the armpits?. Navy Blue and White, please, that's what we all want."

By comparison, Gavin Bromley was almost gushing in enthusiasm:

"Not sure about the red yet. Not as opposed on principle as others are, but would still prefer navy blue where the red is. Also prefer white socks. But overall I think the design will grow on me - more of a 'modern' strip."

Paul Kerton gave it a vote of confidence, though not admitting to actually liking it:

"I don't see what everyone's problem is with the new kit. It was obvious that one of the new Diadora kits would only last for a year, as they changed both this year... Which means they will be back to the two year roll next year."

"I also can't understand why people object to colours other than blue or white on the kit. There are only so many combinations of blue and white you can have before a kit starts to look boring and samey. Why not throw a little bit of colour into it to liven it up?"

"It's about time Albion (and especially some of its fans!) got dragged kicking and screaming into being fashionable, even if its only the kit."

And Andy Robinson actually DOES like it:

"Matter of opinion I know but I prefer the broader stripes in the new one, not seen the back of it so I hope they haven't got the big blue box a la the green strip."

"Thumbs up from me....."

Brett Melville also likes - nay, loves it, but isn't entirely happy:

"As with all design it is very subjective, some will love it, some will hate it just as much. I happen to love it."

"I felt extremely disappointed when last years ?old fashioned? kit was released; I?m not a lover of the thinner blue and white stripes. I much prefer the 3 blue stripe designs, they are much more bold and strong and more fitting with the pride we all feel in the club."

"I think it is an ultra modern design and we should be a leader not a follower. I like the large badge and a lot of the best designs at the moment are collar-less. I even like the splashes of red, we have always had red around, in the numbers and past change strips. It makes our kit different."

"Signing up with Diadora was a smart move in my opinion. I happen to live in Leicester, and it is really depressing walking into any local sports shop and see the likes of Birmingham home & away, villa home & away, Leicester, Derby, Forest and even Coventry shirts all hanging there and knowing I was never going to see a Baggies shirt on display, hopefully that will change now. We are one of the biggest clubs in the country - we should have manufacturers falling over themselves to make our shirt and sell all over the country."

"On a slightly sour note, I was very disappointed to see it is only a single season shirt and taking that into account to price it at £40 is an insult. Why is it not possible for it to run for 2 seasons, but only put the 125th anniversary logo on for one? We are going to need make room for the premier league logo the following season anyway!"

[ Note: We were under the impression that it has always been the Club's decision not to make the shirt available in places other than the Club Shops, and nothing to do with the manufacturer. Patrick were a fairly big name, but this didn't make the shirts available in shops ]

What do you think? Good or bad? Is it growing on you yet? Drop us an email and let us know...

Previous Stories:

  02 July 2003:  Haas: Sunderland agree fee

  30 June 2003:  Roberts wants out

  28 June 2003:  Season ticket deadline

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