It is at this time of the Year that the planning for next season’s (2025/26) kit starts to take place and the club have asked the Trust to assist in getting fans (that’s all fans not just Trust members) input into the thinking for next year.
As early as it may seem to some, the reality is that the club, along with its kit manufacturers (O, Neils) have started to bandy the conceptual ideas around, with knock-on effects that will have a direct influence on future merchandise development and design.
Traditionalists may perish the thought that we could deviate away from tradition but if nothing else, this year’s kit, which came from a substantial canvas of many thousands of Dale fans saw a move away from tradition to vivid shapes and colours which were unanimously voted for by fans. Yet, the stripes that many like are still evident and influential, look at the red kit!
But there is a move by many clubs to a more radical design which seems to feature less! Emphasised by gentler colour hues top clubs seem to be adaptive and reactive to what has gone before, emphasising the club badge or motif is important but allowing change from traditional convention seems to become a vogue, is this what the fans want?
It seems so, Dale’s 2024/25 shirt design has proven universally popular, but some traditionalists from a certain age group seem mortified that we can consider change, what the club and the Trust in partnership are wondering is, it just that change is always uncomfortable, no one likes it, but does it prevent improvement? Well, that’s where the fan base comes in.
The club and Trust like last season, want your input, what ideas do you, the club fan base want our team to wear, what do you want to wear when you don a replica shirt, are you happy with this year’s shirt but seeing some of the images presented here think that Dale can be more radical, more immediate, maybe more modern? As long as our logo and motif stand clear and proud will that be enough? Or do we need a watering can on the front of the shirt? (That’s one for the oldies)
There is much to consider, look at the pictures in the video article presented at the recent Kit Focus Group meeting here by George Delves and listen to George explain some of the current thinking, often kit wise for us it is outside of the box. So if you have not seen that video then please find time, it may inspire you to contribute as we ask below.
We know from this year’s shirt design that a progressive thought process took place, we understand from the sales taken by the club that this year’s kit has been extremely popular, and surprisingly to some, the red version has been taken to heart by many fans, are you surprised by that?
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So, what we want in the first instance is for you, the full fan base to email the Trust with your ideas, which we will collate and forward to the club.
What do you want to see, should the style adopted this year be built upon? Ask yourself..
- Am I a traditionalist? No change from stripes and blue/black, let’s go retro!
- Do I like this year’s 2024/25 Kit, so build next year on this season? But change the colours!
- Do I like this year’s 2024/25 Kit, so build next year on this season? AND keep the colours.
- Am I a modernist? A changing image represents a modern club, it is the badge that symbolises the club, softer colours may be.
- I want a shirt that is all one colour, maybe lighter in the shade, maybe something like Chelsea’s recent additions here
- Am I colour-blind? Ever thought about that? Well, football is thinking about that. About 4.5% of the world’s population is colourblind, translating to over 350 million people globally. So, what you may see is not what others may see. The choice is not always universally seen (no pun intended ), so, can and should compromise be made? Have a look below, the images to some will look different, but to the 4.5 % most definitely so.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Please send your thoughts and opinions to the Trust before 15/01/25 at info@daletrust.co.uk, with the subject line “kit 2025/26.” We will collate and present all submissions to the club.
Besides words, make a drawing if you want, colour and scan and include with your post. If you do not want to email then send it to either the Trust or Andy Duff, Dale’s Commercial Guru at the Crown Oil Arena
Whatever you do, please take the time to tell the club what you think should happen, who knows it might just be what you have said and drawn!
The Link for George Delves’ presentation is HERE should you require a better understanding of club thinking.
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