SAFC Confirms New kit

Press Release from SAFC

Sunderland AFC is pleased to announce a new kit sponsorship with Lonsdale a brand with a British sporting heritage. The agreement will see the Black Cats sporting the Lonsdale brand as they embark on the 2005/06 Premiership campaign. Lonsdale already supplies a number of UK football clubs including Blackburn in the Premier League. The Club has had to make the change due to circumstances beyond its control.

The Club revealed a number of designs for its new away strip last October and asked fans to choose the new kit through an online poll. Whilst the winning all black colour scheme will continue to be produced under the Lonsdale label, the departure of Diadora and arrival of Lonsdale means that the Club must now produce both a new home and away kit in time for the start of next season.

Sunderland Chief Executive Peter Walker said: “ Due to factors which were beyond the control of the Club, Diadora will no longer be manufacturing and supplying our kit. “

Marketing and Communications Director Lesley Callaghan added: “ The Club is looking forward to a new partnership with Lonsdale and is very grateful to them for the efforts they are making to ensure we have two new kits in time for next season. The average lead-time for a new kit is usually in excess of 6 months and they are pulling out the stops to produce the new designs in a fraction of the time usually required.

“The Club and Lonsdale are committed to getting the balance right by providing a quality product at affordable prices for fans. Mick [McCarthy] is also pleased with both the quality and range of training wear and we hope to have the new kits and training wear available by August and September.”

A further announcement will be made in the coming weeks on safc.com to reveal the design of Sunderland’s new home kit.