It’s no secret that Newcastle fans aren’t exactly happy with our current sportswear supplier, Castore.
While the kit designs are well received, the actual quality of the products and the customer service provided by their online stores leaves a lot to be desired. This is why fans are constantly speculating about who will be next in line to take over the reins when the contract expires – if the owners don’t manage to negotiate an escape before then like they have with shirt sponsors, FUN88.
The older generation of fans who remember the Kevin Keegan days have their own personal favourite in mind: Adidas. The first kit Adidas put out for Newcastle under the Keegan regime remains one of, if not the most popular kits ever worn by the Magpies. The thick stripes, the grandad collar and the Newcastle Brown Ale beermat sponsor. It’s an iconic shirt that can still be seen worn around the Toon today. That’s a testament to the popularity of the garment but also the quality of the material that it’s still going strong after 30 years. You’d be lucky to get 30 months out of a Castore effort.
It seems like The Telegraph spotted Adidas representatives in the crowd at St James’ Park on Tuesday as we defeated Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, sparking rumours that the days of Adidas may be about to return. The Telegraph wrote: “Adidas representatives watched the EFL Cup quarter-final win over Leicester City, amid interest from manufacturers in being the club’s next kit-makers following their Saudi Arabian investment and the club looking on the verge of success.
Adidas made the kit during the Kevin Keegan era when they were last in the hunt for the Premier League title, and when Alan Shearer set the new record as the competition’s highest scorer.”
The German sportswear giant would definitely be my first choice for the nostalgic value alone, but also, we were a force to be reckoned with in those days and I just love the symmetry of becoming that force again with the same manufacturer on our backs, hopefully, this time we can take it one step further.
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