Recreativo's novel kit embarrasses supporters
Hummel design sparks protests of sorts
1 August ~ Recreativo Huelva may be Spain's oldest football club, but that doesn't stop the board of directors from finding new ways to embarrass its supporters. The latest occurred at the unveiling of the club's kits for the new season. Danish manufacturer Hummel – famous for kitting out Brondby, Real Madrid and Tottenham in the 1980s – had been awarded the kit contract only ten days previously and were keen to display their creative talents. What emerged was an away kit described, variously, as being "an inverted Tour de France King of the Mountains jersey", "conceived by Minnie Mouse's stylist" or just mierda (shit).
A red shirt with white moons, paired with red shorts and socks, it is a clear favourite in the running for worst 2012-13 kit. It provoked an enraged reaction from Recreativo supporters and ridicule from their counterparts at other clubs.
Speaking shortly after the unveiling, prominent Recreativo supporter Pilar Mancha summed up the general feeling of discontent. "When it was presented, everyone thought the second shirt was disrespectful," he told a local radio station.
"I understand that the club wants to be original and innovative, but you cannot lose the identity of the club. We will be a mockery throughout Spain." Mancha announced that a protest rally against the new kit would be held the following Wednesday and promised that "many people" would come.
Over 25,000 Huelvans had taken to the streets to protest central government austerity measures just a few days earlier, but for all Mancha's bravado only ten supporters felt compelled to turn up outside the club's Nuevo Colombino stadium for a protest that quickly dissolved without much more than a whimper.
"Why would they expect people to turn up to protest a kit when no-one has protested the shameful economic and sporting management we have suffered over the years?" One supporter commenting on a news article detailing the failed protest, a point that perhaps should have been given greater credence by its organisers.
The club, undeterred by such an insignificant uprising, have not subsequently announced any changes to the away kit. Recreativo recently made their debut in the strip in a 1-0 friendly win against Numancia beset by a second half rain storm. Even that was unable to remove the stain of hilarity from their uniform. Nick Dorrington @chewingthecoca
On the subject...
You must be logged in to comment. Please register if you don't have an account yet.
© When Saturday Comes Limited 2013 | Contact | Privacy & cookies | Sitemap | Managed hosting by Latitude
