Old Hummel UK Bankrupt: Bristol City Switch Kit Makers During Season & Release 23-24 Home Kit
Hummel's distributor, Elite Sports Group, went into administration in November 2022. Now we are seeing the first quite crazy effects - Championship club Bristol City today announced a new kit deal with O'Neills and already revealed their 2023-2024 home kit, to be worn from now.
Around 20 UK clubs are affected
Around 20 UK clubs are affected by Hummel UK's temporary end. The Robins have taken immediate action by replacing their kit for the remainder of the current season, including the FA Cup tie with Manchester City, with the 2023-24 kit design. The kit release has been brought forward to ensure there are enough kits available for the playing squad until the end of the season.
Bristol City Announce O'Neills Kit Deal With Immediate Effect, Replacing Hummel
Bristol City and the Irish sporting goods manufacturer O'Neills signed a multi-year deal with City and will supply the Robins’ playing, training, and travel wear ranges moving forward.
The Robins had a six-year deal with Danish manufacturer hummel which was due to run until the end of the 2027-28 season.
Hummel Bristol City 22-23 Kits - To Be Never Worn Again
O'Neills' products are manufactured within the UK
Club Chairman Jon Lansdown has expressed his delight in the new partnership, stating that O'Neills' products are manufactured within the UK, a rarity in the industry, which benefits the sustainability point of view, and ensures a strong supply chain of products for both the squad and supporters throughout the year.
Bristol City 23-24 Home Kit
Check out O'Neills' Bristol City FC 2023-24 home shirt below.
The O'Neills Bristol City FC 2023-2024 home shirt has a classic design. It is mainly red with white pinstripes.
All logos except the club crest are fully sublimated
All logos except the club crest of the O'Neills Bristol City 2023-2024 jersey are sublimated. This is also because O'Neills kits are made in the UK. Almost fully sublimated designs make the production of the kits less expensive and requires much less expertise.
The O'Neills Bristol City Football Club 2023-2024 home and goalkeeper kits will be available for purchase online and in-store before the end of the season, with a new alternate shirt expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Bristol City x O'Neills Deal - FAQ
Explaining the unusual step to switch kit suppliers during the season, Bristol City released a FAQ section answering all important questions.
Q. Why are the club making the change now?
Due to the supply chain issues caused by Elite Sports Group – hummel’s UK licensee - going into administration, the club have brought forward the release of the 2023/24 home and goalkeeper kits to ensure the club have sufficient stock levels available for the playing squad for the remainder of the current campaign.
Q. Will the new kits be worn in the 2023/24 season?
Yes. All O’Neills kits launched between Friday, February 24th and the end of the 2022/23 season will be worn for the remainder of the current campaign as well as 2023/24.
Q. When will the players start wearing the kit?
All Bristol City teams will be wearing O’Neills kits as soon as physically possible. The men’s squad will walk out in the new home kit on Saturday, February 25th against Hull City at Ashton Gate. Our women’s and Academy teams will follow at the closest possible date.
Q. When will supporters be able to buy the kit?
The 2023/24 home and goalkeeper kits will be available to purchase online and in-store before the end of the season. The club will update supporters as soon as more details are confirmed.
Q. Will the club be launching an alternate shirt this season?
Yes. Before the end of the 2022/23 season, there will be instances in which the squad will need to wear an alternate strip. Fans can expect a new alternate shirt to be released in the coming weeks.
Q. Will players wear O’Neills training wear?
Yes, but only on matchdays.
Q. Will hummel training wear still be available to purchase?
Hummel training wear will still be worn by the City squad during training throughout the week and will be available to purchase in the Bristol Sport store while stocks last.
Check out classic Bristol City Football Club kits on Football Kit Archive
What do you think of Bristol switching their kit maker during the season? Do you like Bristol City FC's home kit? Comment below.
