Irish kit on sale for Christmas likely to be replaced by time of Euro 2016
The Irish team is widely expected to launch a new strip for Euro 2016, but both the Football Association of Ireland and the kit provider remain tight-lipped on when it will go on sale.
“The FAI is looking at a number of dates, with our kit sponsors Umbro, to release the new jersey,” the FAI said.
Toplion Sportswear, the company behind Umbro’s distribution in Ireland, would not reveal any potential launch date when asked about the possibility of a new jersey being released after Christmas.
“We will not be making any public comment or any information available at present as we are currently very busy executing our Euro 2016 pre-planning,” Jonathan Courtenay, MD of Toplion Sportswear said.
Now a consumer group has warned the public that it is possible that the jerseys they buy this Christmas — an adult’s jersey costs €68 while children’s cost €48 — will likely be replaced by the time Martin O’Neill’s men take to the pitch in France next June.
Dermott Jewell of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland criticised the FAI over its silence on the subject.
“It is entirely unacceptable that there is no advice, guidance or statement issuing from the FAI as to there being any plan to introduce a new Irish jersey in the New Year.
“The reality that the current jersey will be an expensive Christmas gift for many appears to be the only consideration here. The fact that supporters may have to fork out more money in the coming months suggests how the continuing focus of the FAI is firmly on the bottom line.
“Fans need to consider this before spending what is their limited amounts of hard-earned cash.”
Umbro Ireland’s Twitter account is encouraging fans to “order early” in the run up to Christmas.
“Due to Ireland’s qualification & high demand V limited stock pre Xmas, please order early at http://www.faishop.com to avoid disappointment,” the Umbro account posted on Wednesday and Thursday.
[social=twitter]https://twitter.com/UmbroIreland/status/667396784046542848/social]
Fans in turn have tweeted Umbro to ask if a new jersey will be released, but the company has yet to reply.
Umbro first began producing kits for the Republic of Ireland in 1994, and have produced 13 different home kits for the Irish team.
Are you an Ireland fan with a mixture of Euro 2016 & Xmas in mind?https://t.co/XxEqw8kQL4 is the only place with the FULL IRELAND RANGE 🇮🇪
— Umbro Ireland (@UmbroIreland) November 20, 2015
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