Judges meet to shortlist kit designs

Rochdale Football Club 2016-17 kit design competition

Rochdale Football Club has received just under 300 entries for their 2016-17 kit design competition.

A panel of judges met on Thursday afternoon at Spotland to shortlist six home and six away kits which will be voted on by supporters, commencing on Monday (September 28).

The judging panel included players Jamie Allen and Calvin Andrew, Directors David Bottomley and Paul Hazlehurst, Chief Executive Colin Garlick, Retail Manager Stuart Ashworth, Jack the Kitman, Murray Knight and Martin Ashworth from the Dale Supporters Trust, and Fabrizio Taddei and Graham Fordy from Errea, who flew in specially from Italy to join the panel.

The judges were impressed by the quality and quantity of entries. Colin Garlick, Dale Chief Executive, said: “The number of entries that we received has been incredible. We received entries from all ages with the youngest entrant being just three right up to somebody in their seventies. We are delighted with the response and we have tried to ensure that all aspects of the club and supporters are involved throughout.”

The final 12 designs are now being graphically produced by Errea and will be available to view on the club’s official website from Monday, along with details on how to vote. 

Once the votes have been counted, a sample of the top three home and away kits will then be manufactured by Errea and displayed in the Rochdale AFC Club Shop for supporters to view and to place their final vote.

The winning home and away kit will then be kept under wraps until it is revealed at the end of the season.