Replica football shirts are big business, very big business indeed. For example, Juventus some a staggering 520,0000 replica Ronaldo shirts in JUST 24 hours. In comparison, Leeds United sold 4,000 grey/pink away shirts on the first day they were on sale.
It was that grey/pink combination that divided Leeds United’s fanbase. Even though it broke records, and was sold out of a first-run within a week, it was a kit release that didn’t meet universal acclaim from Whites fans. Some liked it, some loved it, some derided it.
The main bone of contention was the colour scheme not being suited to a Leeds United away kit, especially not in their centenary season. It’s brash, it’s brave and it’s seen by its critics as being not in keeping with what Leeds United is all about. Those critical of it mention that it says something when the keeper’s kit is better than the away attire.
However, all this criticism could be about to be redrawn with news that United are to release a special 4th kit this year – a kit more in keeping with what it means to be Leeds. News of this release, and hints at the direction it would tatake came via United CEO Angus Kinnear in his usual programme notes (below) before the Nottingham Forest game yesterday.
Justifying the release of the great/pink kit and the upcoming release of the 4th kit, Kinnear said:
”The simple rationale is that we don’t want all of our 100-year celebrations to be retrospective. Traditionalists can rest assured that three of our four kits this season will be heritage-driven, but we wanted one kit to appeal to a new generation of Leeds supporters for our next century.”
The new, commemorative 4th kit is thought to be being worn on October 19th versus Birmingham City, this game happening two days after the Whites 100th birthday. One thing that can be guaranteed, if Leeds hit this release right, they can expect record sales of this 4th kit.
