Aston Villa players complain Castore shirts negatively impact performance

[Beard82]

Cant they just use last seasons kit, and replace the sponsor while it gets fixed? 

[AV84]

Trippier's back looks pretty sweaty/clingy in this pic from last week in Milan.

[Monty]

"Some of the players were complaining about the uniforms, you know it's not a natural fibre..."

[chrisw1]

If you watch the Rob Warner pod linked above you'll get more of an idea of the process.  They have to get the material specifically made for them, sometimes it has a coating applied etc.  The error could be material design, material supplier, coating etc.  Getting claret material for replacements isn't that easy or quick. 

Our kits were made in China this season but in Turkey last year - could that be a reason for the difference between clubs?

In short, there's a lot more to it than most of us would think.  The solution will have to be a new run of kits which takes time.  But the process should have been started in August not now (and I guess may have been?) 

[Concrete Tom]

I work in clothing retail. We can design, manufacture and get products in stores within 6 weeks if we REALLY wanted to.

Price sensitivity and a comprehensive critical path/buying cycle to weed out mistakes/QA issues usually preclude that though so we normally run to about 9 month lead time.

[OCD]

It's not good PR for Castore so you would think this has been given quite a bit of urgency.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I work in clothing retail. We can design, manufacture and get products in stores within 6 weeks if we REALLY wanted to.

Price sensitivity and a comprehensive critical path/buying cycle to weed out mistakes/QA issues usually preclude that though so we normally run to about 9 month lead time.

I remember reading that Zara could do it in a week to 10 days. As OCD hints, it's a PR nightmare for Castore and can easily snowball with their other clubs. I'd be looking to hire a Crisis Management PR agency if I was them.

[VILLA MOLE]

Why would Castore have used a totally different material to the other cubs they manufacture for?

that would put a cat amongst the pigeons

[brontebilly]

I really hope we also have an exit clause that can be triggered. We obviously won’t do that if we are penalised financially, or don’t have a better offer on the table. Also, Newcastle still have Castore this season, so presumably we’re stuck with them next season regardless. I’m not tempted to buy any merch until we have a better manufacturer.

Producing a not fit for purpose product gives the Club enormous leverage. Its a question of if they choose to use it. But it is pathetic that something as fundamental as the Kit seems beyond the club to get right.

Should help the club bounce out of the contract and start again with a new kit. Be great to get rid of that vile betting "partner" too.

[eamonn]

We haven't had a kit-astrophe as bad as this since the DWS Investment lads made us look like a herd of cows with the shape of their logo. And chumps in the process. Cow-chumps.

[VILLA MOLE]

I really hope we also have an exit clause that can be triggered. We obviously won’t do that if we are penalised financially, or don’t have a better offer on the table. Also, Newcastle still have Castore this season, so presumably we’re stuck with them next season regardless. I’m not tempted to buy any merch until we have a better manufacturer.

Producing a not fit for purpose product gives the Club enormous leverage. Its a question of if they choose to use it. But it is pathetic that something as fundamental as the Kit seems beyond the club to get right.

Should help the club bounce out of the contract and start again with a new kit. Be great to get rid of that vile betting "partner" too.

Yes but can we achieve the same money from a new deal with a new supplier ? bring back Luke

[AV84]

It's not good PR for Castore so you would think this has been given quite a bit of urgency.

The women's kit having the same problem is even worse for Castore simply because of all the extra connotations that have been pointed out. Given the ongoing Spanish situation and general atmosphere around women's sports at the moment, it feels like them having an issue is more likely to get something done than just the men being sweaty beasts.

[Smirker]

Cant they just use last seasons kit, and replace the sponsor while it gets fixed?

I don't see any reason why they can't in terms of regulations. They obviously won't want to though.

[ChicagoLion]

I don't think it's that subjective at all.  It's clear they're not of satisfactory quality and it's clear they are not fit for the purpose of elite sport.

Yes they will have bench mark comparisons and no other shirts seem to do this

If, as seems possible, this ends in a contractual dispute, then it will not be as clear cut as some here like to think

I hope they don’t hire you as a lawyer then.
It’s about as clear as it can be regarding the Sale of Goods act.

[Risso]

The Sale of Goods Act was replaced in 2015 by the Consumer Rights Act. Companies can't claim under the CRA, it's there to protect individuals.