Saints fans get shirty over kit sale hold-up
ST MIRREN football club fans have been left outraged after the release of this season’s strips was delayed.
Home and away kits are still not available from official retailer JD Sports despite the team having played three games this season.
Those who pre-ordered kits have received no communication from the club to tell them when they will be available.
Fans have taken to the football club’s online forum to voice their frustrations.
One user wrote: “Wanted both strips out for sale in April, so my child and other fans could get benefit of the incoming decent weather and the benefit of getting good value for money.
“Unfortunately, JD Sports and St Mirren Football Club are useless. Hang your heads in shame those in charge at St Mirren who are/were responsible for this and many other disgraces.”
Another added: “Absolutely shocking from JD. As I understand it, the club don’t get any money based on sales of the tops, it’s a flat fee regardless.
“If that’s true, Saints fans could refuse to buy them as a protest if/when they eventually do come out. That would make a point to JD without hurting the club financially”.
The kits are currently available for pre-order on the JD Sports website meaning supporters are handing the retailer money but not receiving anything in return.
David MacDonald, who runs a St Mirren fan website, said: “We’ve had some issues with JD Sports before. The kits were coming out later and later and this season they are a big bit late.”
Despite previous and on-going issues with official sponsor JD Sports, fans acknowledge that the deal is extremely beneficial for the club.
Mr MacDonald added: “We get paid regardless of how many kits they sell. As far as the football club is concerned it’s a very lucrative deal, it is worth a lot more than to the club than any other deal we’ve had in our history.
“From the fan’s point of view, it’s good because we get a completely bespoke kit, which for a club of our size is pretty unusual but there is also complaints because things like this happen and because you can’t buy a strip in the club shop.
“Financially it’s a really good deal but it’s all a bit frustrating. I bought three kits on pre-order so I’ve given JD about £150 about six weeks ago now.”
A spokesman for St Mirren said: “We appreciate supporters’ frustration regarding the sale of the new home kit.
“We have been, and continue to be, in daily contact with JD Sports regarding the launch date of the new home kit. JD have advised us that they are trying to get retail stock in to go on sale this weekend.”
Nobody from JD Sports was available for comment when approached.