Sunderland AFC revealed its new away shirt in a unique way last night.
Fan Brendan O’Donnell was the first to sport the new-look shirt as he took up his place in the crowd at last night’s game, and his connection to the club is one that goes back to its very beginnings. Brendan is the great, great grandson of James Allan, the Scottish schoolteacher who founded Sunderland AFC in 1879.
Brendan was invited to help to launch the new away kit, tying in with the tagline 'our future is rooted in our history'. He wore the shirt at the Stadium of Light yesterday as a teaser for fans, as Sunderland took a point in their season opener against Derby County. He was also captured by the live Sky Sports broadcast, sitting in the South Stand.
Speaking about his involvement in the highly anticipated kit reveal, Brendan said: "I’m so proud of the link with Sunderland AFC that we have from my great, great granddad and we love coming up to Sunderland, to the city and to the stadium to watch the team play.
"I'm equally proud to have been asked to take part in the campaign for the away kit; it was a real honour and the kit is fantastic!"
The new kit features a light blue shirt, shorts and socks, a colour that has proven to be popular with Sunderland fans in the past. It is accented with white for a clean, modern look.
The logo of principal partner Dafabet features in white and yellow, along with a woven club crest and embroidered adidas logo. The shirt benefits from adidas climacool ventilation on the shoulders, designed to draw heat and sweat away from the body for maximum performance.
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Sunderland AFC’s new away kit is available to order now at www.safcstore.com. Fans who order their shirt online before 10am tomorrow (Sunday), can take advantage of Monday delivery (UK only). Click and collect is also available.
Meanwhile, club stores, located at the Stadium of Light, Debenhams in Sunderland and The Galleries, Washington will be open from 7am on Monday morning for fans wanting to purchase their new kit. A funfair and a host of entertainment will be on offer outside the Stadium of light store between 10am and 2pm.
Official EFL shirt personalisation is available on all replica kits.
Store opening hours:
Stadium of Light: 7am – 7pm
Debenhams, Sunderland: 7am – 6pm
The Galleries, Washington: 7am – 5.30pm
safcstore.com - 24 hours