Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy had a major influence on how the Blues will look next season, paying particular attention to the team’s new away kit.
The club is including a ‘retro’ feel to the new Mitre-manufactured home shirt, with white sleeves echoing the strips worn by the Division One Championship-winning team of 1962, and the side that competed in the early years of the Premier League.
As for the away strip, the club has chosen to go for a mainly red strip with black sleeves, while goalkeeper Scott Loach will wear a ‘Cyber Green’ kit for most games.
Town’s retail manager Lee Hyde said the club had listened to views from supporters – taking into account some of the opinions aired last season – but also consulted the players, management and owner, Marcus Evans.
“For the away kit, we have gone with a red main body and black sleeves which twins together two popular colours from the past,” said Hyde.
“It is a bright, powerful shirt and not a dull red, and that was something Mick McCarthy was quite keen on.
“He wanted players to stand out on the pitch, especially under lights at a night game.
“The goalkeeper is shirt is quite lary, like a green highlighter pen, and is the kind of kit you would want your goalkeeper to wear in terms of him commanding his area, coming for crosses, and being seen.
“As daft as it sounds, it does come down to players being visible to each other and Mick had an input in that.
“We also received feedback from the players in terms of what they would like with regards to the shirt fit and construction, while we had a hive of feedback from fans, just as we did last year.
“The owner is also keen to have an input, especially as his brand will be going on the front of the shirts and the replica kits will mirror exactly what the players wear on the pitch.”
The return to white sleeves has already gone down well on social networking sites such as Twitter and while the club was keen to maintain its links with the past, Hyde revealed the new kits had cutting-edge technology which would provide supporters with a shirt fit for the modern era.
“The new shirts boast new technology in terms of application techniques and a breath-ability system, and is aimed at the players’ comfort on match-days,” said Hyde.
“The home shirt will be available in long sleeves, and there will also be a ladies’ and normal children’s short-sleeved option.
“In terms of the away kit there is less interest, so there will be no long-sleeved option but we are continuing with the kids’, men’s and ladies’ fits.”
The home and away kits also include the three stars above the badge which represent the club’s past successes in winning the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and the old Division One title
“That was down to a lot of feedback from fans who buy into the history and heritage of club and wanted to see it displayed,” added Hyde.
“In terms of our relationship with Mitre, we are the only club in their portfolio so we receive more time and attention from them than we would if the kits were manufactured by a bigger brand with more clubs.
“The garments that will be on offer will have a better quality and finish than ever and we drive Mitre hard to maintain a product worthy of a Championship team.
“They benefit from having us as a club just as much as we do spending more time with them as a brand.”
TeamCard and Season Ticket holders will be offered the first opportunity to purchase the new home shirt at Planet Blue on Friday night, between 5-8pm.
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