Walsall today unveiled a new club badge and a new kit – with white home shirts for the first time in 20 years.
Saddlers officials revealed Walsall-based conservatory company EasyFit as the club new shirts sponsors for next season with the option of a second year to be added to the deal.
But they sprang a real surprise with the announcement that they have scrapped red shirts at home in favour of a return to the predominantly white of the past.
And there was also the unveiling of a new club badge for the second time in just 12 years.
The Saddlers last wore white as a home kit in the 1986-87 season as they won promotion under Tommy Coakley.
The white shirts and red shorts combination that was unveiled today was also worn between 1965 and 67 and 1971 and 77.
Chief executive Roy Whalley said: “This particular colour scheme has been graced with distinction by such Saddlers legends as Frank Gregg, Stan Bennett, Nick Atthey, Allan Clarke, Ken Hodgkisson, Alan Buckley, Colin Harrison, George Andrews, Kenny Mower, Craig Shakespeare, Peter Hart, Mark Rees and David Kelly.
“We have had some great days in these colours and, after conducting extensive market research, we feel that our supporters will welcome this new design.”
Saddlers have returned to a circular design for the official club badge after ditching their original circular logo in 1995. Chairman Jeff Bonser said: “As we embark on a new chapter in the club’s history we believe the introduction of a new club badge is a positive step forward.
“However, at the same time we do not want to lose our heritage. The symbol of a swift has been associated with Walsall since our formation back in 1888.”
11 Comments
Horrible.
I have been watching Walsall for over 25 yrs and I’ve seen green socks, red and white halves, white shirts, red shirts, stripes and even red and black checks!!!
In that time Manchester United have always been red, white and black. Liverpool have always been all red, and Arsenal (bar one season) have always been red with white sleeves.
As a Marketing professional I think I am qualified to say that we are missing out on building our brand identity. I’d love to see the “Market Research” that Mr Whalley reports to have undertaken.
And as a supporter I feel qualified to say -”horrible”.
I’m not sure I like the idea of swapping and changing all the time, we have seen the most successful period in our history wearing the traditional red shirts and going back to white seems a step backward. Who conducted this market research and where, with whom?
Not sure about the badge either, maybe we did need to update our branding but this looks very school course work-ish. Again, a step back in time with the circle design and loosing the leather symbol is a real shame.
What a disaster!
I thought that we had settled for something like classic consistent colours….smart unfussed red and white at home, white and red away….now this. I first saw Walsall in 1966 when we were wearing white and red and it looked a damn sight better than this mutant 2007 version: what is the red band doing round the chest? What’s that crude white bird pooh on the socks?….where was the market research conducted?
Sorry but its terrible
Have to agree with Craig and Bob. Red shirts, white shorts and white socks saw us to a Milk Cup Semi-Final and to promotion this season. It’s clean, it looks like a Football kit and it feels like Walsall.
This season they got it right - the red at home and the white away brought the best of our history together. Next season’s ‘efforts’ (in the loosest sense of the word)are way off the mark.
We should just skip all this nonesense and revert to Claret and Blue at home and start wearing gold an black away…. ugghhh… makes me shudder….
Cheap Cheap Cheap…… and thats not just the restyled swift on the badge.
I thought my beloved team were going in the right direction with NO FUSS red shirts white shorts and white socks and the reverse away.
This new strip looks amatuerish and like a non league effort… oh and the away strip - yellow and blue - too much like the Shrews
Well guys,
I have to truely disagree as i feel that we played in red under merson and looked what happened new manager in and up in one and fresh strip and couple of new faces and championship here we come and nice to see the old traditional badge…..
Up the lads and does it really metter what colour we play in as long as the football looks good and we could play in blue in the premiership and no one would be moaning hmmmmmm get a grip guys
I like the new kits and think the new badge is great. But my mate Sam Giles absolutely hates the new kit and believes walsall shouldn’t change back into white. He also thinks we should of stayed with nike.
Peter,
Remember when England had that grey away kit in about 96? Uproar - everyone wanted the red and white back.
Could you imagine Liverpool playing in white and everyone saying “does it really matter?”
Answer is YES it definitely does matter. All clubs are identified by the colours they play in. And we wouldn’t be having the conversation if it didn’t matter.
Villa in blue and white stripes - what do you think Villa fans? Good idea???
as long as its all white on the night and we get promoted again lol.not that kean prefer the red as home colours
l Feel that l really must agree with the majority of the fans disapproval of the new strip design my local pubs strip looks a lot more professionally designed and as myself and my three sons attend every home game feel we are entitled to comment so we will stick with the old shirt.
terrible, they get promotion to a higher more recognized league and they swap for a local made kit and another local sponsor, at least banks’s was recognizable. What is with the swap of colours too, for many years Walsall has been known to be in red and it has fit their profile perfectly, why change now?