West Ham United have confirmed a retro reboot for a future home kit and have asked fans for their input on its design.
At the weekend Hammers News carried reports claiming West Ham had made the big decision on their next kit maker.
Some amazing Nike and Adidas West Ham concept kits had circulated on social media.
And rumours have abound for some time that a deal was believed to have been struck with sportswear giant Nike to replace Umbro.
In the summer of 2019 West Ham announced a renewal with Umbro – which made the club’s first ever replica kits – until the end of the 2022-2023 season (whufc.com).
Just a year later, though, West Ham made a new announcement ‘confirming a new long-term extension with Umbro which will see the global sportswear company remain as the Club’s Official Technical Partner’ (whufc.com).
But it did not specify the end date for the West Ham kit deal.
Football Insider claimed West Ham were expected to keep Umbro as their kit supplier next season despite suggestions that they could switch to Nike.
As yet there has been no official confirmation from West Ham or Umbro that the partnership has been extended. But given the open-ended nature of the last update it may be we don’t get one.
There has now been an official update from the Hammers, though.
West Ham have confirmed a retro reboot for a future home kit and have invited fans to have their say on its design.
The club today sent an email to season ticket holders and members about the design of West Ham’s kit for the 2024/25 season.
Presumably well aware of the negative reaction to some of the kits Umbro has produced in recent seasons – including this term’s ‘You’ve been Tango’d’ third strip – West Ham has invited fans to take part in a survey geared towards directly influencing the design of the 2024/25 season home kit.
West Ham confirm retro reboot for future home kit and ask fans for design input in survey
Given next season’s shirts will launch in June and July, those kits will already be well down the line.
The Umbro logo appears at the bottom of the email containing the link to the survey. So it is probably safe to assume the British brand will be making the 2024/25 kits.
If so then some will be disappointed that the club is to continue the partnership with Umbro. But the company and club are at least trying to engage with supporters.
In a message to fans in the survey West Ham state they will be looking to reboot a classic kit for the 2024/25 season and want fans to have their say on which one it might be.
“As one of our loyal supporters, we wanted to give you this unique opportunity to share your feedback with us and to help inform the process for the official home, away and third strips for the 2024/25 season,” West Ham said in the survey.
“The Club works very closely with our technical partner in the design process for each of our kits, ensuring that the designs meet all Premier League and FA protocols, the requirements from our technical partner, digital and broadcast conditions, and performance specifications but – most importantly – that each of our strips reflects the unique identity and history of West Ham United.
“In addition to this, our kits are special in that supporters do not simply wear a replica model of the shirt in the same way as most other clubs. The kits that our first team players wear on field is exactly the same as what each supporter wears.
“Every detail and consideration given to the technical and performance specifications by Umbro for our playing kit is identically replicated in our replica shirts, ensuring that every supporter receives a kit produced to the highest quality – just like an elite player.
“We recognise that our kits mean many different things to so many supporters and there will be a diverse range of views on the process from across the fan base. Our aim is to create kits that appeal to the broadest range of supporters possible, understanding that some fans will favour nostalgia and heritage, while others may seek reflection of new trends and fashions – or maybe just something a bit different.
“There are also some things of course that none of us would ever want to change, including paying tribute to those very special anniversaries in our history and our globally famous claret and blue home kit always being a staple.
“For the 2024/25 season, we are looking to use modern design and fabrics to deliver an exciting, new kit with a nod to a successful era in the Club’s history.”
The survey is open until lunchtime on Friday March 24th.
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