I bought a couple of Castore training/gymwear bits a few months back. Not had any problems with the quality, I like them in fact.
IF they are to be our kit suppliers next season, the design might be considered ‘bland’ by some quarters but as long as it’s predominantly red with some white detailing, I am happy.
Looking forward to seeing what they have to offer IF the rumour is true.
The current Hummel kits aren't great, the home kit is the worst of the bunch they've made. And I'm seeing people moaning about third kits, I care more than a design that respects the traditions of the home kit, and at least acknowledge history with the away kit.
I have to agree, the quality is piss poor. Stitching comes apart very quickly, I know this because the kit man told me.
When we were up watching Gateshead I went in the St. James Park Castore store. Quality seemed to be exactly the same as nearly every kit maker to me. I always think Adidas kits are the best made.
Inclined to agree about adidas, the newish Nike kits have awful quality and seem like cheap copies in terms of quality of stitching etc.
Shame if we leave Hummel as i do appreciate the ‘tailored’ parts of our kits so that they are not out of a catalogue, but maybe this is part of the plan to bring the shop in-house rather than fully outsourced to a supplier.
Castore are still relatively small, so our kits should be fairly bespoke
Interestingly both the England and Kent cricket teams will be wearing Castore this summer too, so that's 2 elite teams they've taken on (plus England)
Apologies, bespoke was the wrong word but what i think Hummel’s main strength has been, and which in don’t see other brands doing, is that their shirts have contained elements specific to us, such as the sword embossing last year, the ‘back to the valley’ embossing on their first shirt etc.
They’ve also taken respectful inspiration from old shirts (though admittedly others are also doing that). E.g. the Championship away with the green bands or last year’s gray away shirt. Castore will have a long way to go to meet those two kits
If the training and leisure offering is anything like their Maclaren range (F1 not a bespoke offering for the man with the brolly) I’d be thrilled to have Castore as a kit sponsor.
Our current overall shop offering is poor even compared to other League 1 teams. If the club get control then it must help Mumford meet some of his ongoing commercial objectives.
They transformed the offering at Saracens in terms of availability (a frequent Hummel failing) and choice. I haven’t been to a football ground where they contribute to the ‘superstore’.
Comments
IF they are to be our kit suppliers next season, the design might be considered ‘bland’ by some quarters but as long as it’s predominantly red with some white detailing, I am happy.
Looking forward to seeing what they have to offer IF the rumour is true.
I know that it’s been mooted as something Mumford has wanted for a while
I have to agree, the quality is piss poor. Stitching comes apart very quickly, I know this because the kit man told me.
Will judge them on the kits but the logo is shocking
Think he was their first Sports signing - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castore_(brand)
The logo just doesn’t suit a football shirt - it’s looks like a 2nd badge.
they are also pretty expensive especially for the normal working class fan.
They’ve also taken respectful inspiration from old shirts (though admittedly others are also doing that). E.g. the Championship away with the green bands or last year’s gray away shirt. Castore will have a long way to go to meet those two kits
would love the away to either be all yellow (ala Admiral 90's) or the yellow/blue (adidas 80's)
3rd kit they can fire away and do whatever they like, although all black kits when done right do look very smart.
have really liked the Hummel stuff but this years home kit is their worst effort and the away is horrible
Our current overall shop offering is poor even compared to other League 1 teams. If the club get control then it must help Mumford meet some of his ongoing commercial objectives.
They transformed the offering at Saracens in terms of availability (a frequent Hummel failing) and choice. I haven’t been to a football ground where they contribute to the ‘superstore’.
https://www.unisportstore.com/football-shirts/cha-2122-third-jersey-ss-black/226892/#/