The new Premier League and Football League season looms in England and it’s the time when fans traditionally sport their new replica kits with pride, but many are left disappointed. Supply chain issues have left club stores without new replica kits, according to a BBC report which claims only 44 of 92 clubs in the top four tiers have both their home and away kits available while 19 have none.
Premier League club Leeds United were one of those hit by kit supplier Adidas who issued a statement last month apologizing for the late arrival of the new strip, blaming ‘challenges without previous in the past year”. The Leeds United website says the new kit will be available at the end of August, three weeks after the start of the season.
Stockport County League Two fans are also sweating over their new replica shirts after a ‘lost shipment’ from kit supplier Puma ahead of their season opener against Barrow on Saturday. “Unfortunately, we have been significantly disappointed with our kit supplier, Puma, in delivering the kits ahead of the new season,” a club statement read.
“It was recently revealed that their shipping partner had misplaced part of the shipment that was due to be delivered, and as a result we are unable to fulfill a number of fan orders while they’re trying to locate him.” In a statement, sportswear company Puma said 15% of an order for home shirts was lost at the UK port of entry while in transit. “We immediately informed the club of the missing shirts and we are working with our logistics partner to trace the missing shirts,” Puma said.
Stockport said if the shirts don’t materialize, some fans may have to wait until November to put on their final band.
(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)