Aston Villa players complain Castore shirts negatively impact performance

[PaulTheVillan]

I'd guess we've missed the boat with Adidas.  I can't see them taking on two clubs the size of Newcastle and us in one season

One of our owners is a share holder in Adidas, he could speak to some of his pals

[Brazilian Villain]

I'd guess we've missed the boat with Adidas.  I can't see them taking on two clubs the size of Newcastle and us in one season

I suspect they'd be able to manage it if necessary.

[AV84]

I can't remember where I read this, so it could be wrong, but my understanding of how kit deals work is we sign, let's say a 2 year deal with Adidas worth 40 million. We get the 40 mil and all the players/staff kitted out for all occasions. In return, Adidas get to keep the profits off any merchandise sold.

So, if that is the case, or even if they only get a % of profits, the deal has to be one that makes them money. So if we're only shifting 5mil worth of merchandise a year, nobody's going to be offering us more than that to supply it.

Again, that's just my understanding, but at the end of the day kit suppliers are out to make money, and some clubs are seen as way more profitable, especially ones with global appeal.

[Ads]

Wonder how much the shorts effected us at Anfield? I was sweating stood still, it was insanely hot and our performance was so poor, it makes you wonder.

[Risso]

I'd guess we've missed the boat with Adidas.  I can't see them taking on two clubs the size of Newcastle and us in one season

I'm only guessing but I reckon they'd happily supply every single Premier League team given the opportunity.

[Clampy]

Apologies if this has already been asked and answered but was this not noticed during the pre-season games?

[pablo_picasso]

Yeah, the women weren't wearing training tops, they were the match day tops. Whatever they are. Or for. But they looked alright.

Whatever they are called, I meant the ones they played in previously.

My bad though...

[Lastfootstamper]

Wasn't having a pop or anything, but I've seen it said more than once, and not just here, that they were wearing training tops rather than matchday tops.

[tomd2103]

Apparently Wolves had a similar issue last season but it was dealt with more discreetly.

I wonder if our request to end the deal was met with resistance, and then as if by magic the media was filled with stories of the poor product and suddenly the resistance was gone.

The story in the Telegraph the other day about Newcastle said they got out of their deal because of poor customer service reflecting badly on the club. There were no complaints from players about the kit though. If that's true and they were able to get out of it that easily, and privately, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to get out of ours without a media campaign.

Although there's also the possibility Newcastle just wanted Adidas and had it lined up before getting out of the Castore deal.

That's my thinking though, we're probably the same. The cynic in me thinks maybe Heck has seen the issue of the sweaty shirts as a way out of the deal.

Sounds plausible to be honest.  Doubt it would have been made public if that wasn't the case.

[Risso]

Apologies if this has already been asked and answered but was this not noticed during the pre-season games?

I did:

Have to say, the shirt looks lovely at a distance and sans sponsor

Close up it’s absolutely wringing wet with sweat. Terrible to play in.

[itbrvilla]

I find it odd as I bought the player version of the away shirt from last season reduced to £30 from £90 in that sports shop...

Its easily the most lightweight and comfiest football shirt I've ever worn.

So fuck knows what went wrong here.

[85kota]

A mate of mine works for West Indies cricket, and he said they've had all sorts of problems with their Castore kits - so it's not just us.  He thinks that behind the scenes, the company is on the brink of collapse.

I looked at their Accounts and they are not pretty.

It's a shame, as until recently it was a really good story of a British sports brand successfully taking on the big boys.

Two chancers had everyone's pants down is what I heard.

[Smirker]

Puma have only got one club in the PL and that's MC.

I'm sure they'd be open to another.

[villadelph]

Puma have only got one club in the PL and that's MC.

I'm sure they'd be open to another.

I don't think Puma would look good on the adidas shareholder's football shirt.

That said, are there any Redbull Racing or McLaren fans that can comment on their F1 gear? Didn't Redbull go from Puma to Castore?

[Sexual Ealing]

Do people buy and wear F1 gear?! I mean, I find it staggering that people buy and wear football shirts, but F1?!