West Brom unveil controversial new home kit
Albion's controversial new kit got a hostile reception today after the club ditched their famous stripes.
The souvenir kit won't be in the shops until August 1 but John Homer, chairman of Albion's Official Supporters Club, and a man who has bought every souvenir shirt since they became a regular feature of club merchandise, was not impressed.
He said: "As a traditionalist I find the thing ghastly.
"Speak to a lot of supporters and they hate blue shorts, they are synonymous with bad times. I am sorry but I don't like the socks either. The shirt is a quasi-baseball type job , not enough prominent stripes.
"As an away kit, it will be tolerable but even then only just!"
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But Homer admits younger fans may not be so concerned about the break with tradition. He added: "Speaking to some younger fans on Fathers' Day tours at the ground they were slightly more enthusiastic, having seen the early prototype. And some fans will buy anything anyway.
"Having purchased home shirts since goodness knows when, this one will not be in my collection. Sacrilegious is the word.
"But for some its whatever turns you on. For me, Albion are Blue and white stripes like Astle and Brown."
Albion fans were up in arms when news of the change leaked at the end of last season and demanded an about-turn from the club. But the design was part of a new commercial tie-in with Adidas and Albion have already lodged a traditional design with the suppliers for next season's kit.
See the gallery of Albion shirts through the years
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However, it helped Albion hook in new sponsors QuickBooks, who were very enthusiastic about the new kit's design because it was more sympathetic to their logo.
The shirt is available to order online at wba.co.uk at £44.99 for adults and £39.99 for juniors and infants. A full junior kit could knock back parents £73.97.
