It is that time of year when concept kits are doing the rounds but next season’s are more significant than usual for West Ham United.
Read: West Ham to face Wolves star who could have saved them £35m
West Ham fans love to see a bit of effort made with their kits whether they respect tradition, go retro or try to be original.
The focus right now is on the resumption of West Ham’s season and the battle for survival.
Photo by West Ham United FC West Ham United via Getty Images
West Ham concept kits being floated online
But that has not stopped West Ham concept kits being floated online.
West Ham celebrate their 125th anniversary next season.
They will want to do that as a Premier League club first and foremost.
But fans will also want to do it in style with the kits that are released to commemorate the milestone.
West Ham recently signed an extended deal with kit maker Umbro. The company has a mixed success rate when it comes to West Ham kits.
Photo by Artur Widak NurPhoto via Getty Images
Brady pledged supporter input
Speaking to the Supporters Advisory Board two years ago, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady dangled a carrot to creative Hammers fans that they could be involved in future kit designs.
“Karren Brady answered that it is a possibility that a small group could have a briefing session with Umbro,” Brady said in response to a question over fan input on future kit designs according to the minutes from the July 12 meeting published on whufc.com.
Whether that is still the case remains to be seen.
But a new batch of concept kit designs for the 125th anniversary home, away and third Umbro kits were posted on Twitter.
French concept kit designer LonGday Kit posted pictures of the new shirts which includes a black third kit with light blue paint splatter design.
West Ham United | Umbro | Concepts Kits#WHUFC #WestHam #WestHamFC #Hammers #Irons@WestHam @umbro @westhamFR_off @ExWHUemployee @UberWestHam @WestHam_Central @Irons_Home @WHUFCFZ @ClaretandH @100_britishFR @PLFrance_ @LeagueTotal
RT & Like Appréciés / Appreciated pic.twitter.com/UNuip0SFvr
— LonGdaY Kit (@LongdayKit) June 17, 2020
Photo by Stephanie Meek CameraSport via Getty Images
Latest designs get mixed response from fans ahead of 125th anniversary
The concept West Ham kits met with a mixed response from fans.
Some loved them, others not so much. But the away kit proved quite popular.
Here are a selection of comments from some fans on Twitter.
Loving the away kit 👍
— John Hunt (@john1664) June 17, 2020
Le noir il est violent
— Julien (@julienM13190) June 17, 2020
all of them are so bad, the first kits the worst I have ever seen.
— Körfez ⚒️ (@Kocaelispor1941) June 17, 2020
Don’t like the home shirt at all, other two are nice ⚒
— mark hendy ⚒ (@mhendy1971) June 17, 2020
Home top is very nice…with plain white shorts and white socks that would be nawty 👍⚒
— Lee Sifford ⚒ (@lee_sifford) June 17, 2020
Not a fan of any of them
— Ali Jones (@Alibones2) June 17, 2020
Omg there hideous
— Robert Jack (@robgeorgejack) June 17, 2020