United go red and black!
DROGHEDA United FC’s 2019 League of Ireland First Division campaign starts this week and whatever happens it’s going to be a red letter day.
The claret and blue which has served Drogheda United so well over the years will become the change strip, and back comes a version of the red and black combo which was synonymous with the club when it was formed exactly 100 years ago.
DROGHEDA United FC’s 2019 League of Ireland First Division campaign starts this week and whatever happens it’s going to be a red letter day.
The Drogheda Independent was treated to a sneak preview of the club’s dramatic new strip in advance of its official launch in the Westcourt Hotel last night (Monday). And the verdict? Well, the red and black design passed with flying colours!
The claret and blue which has served Drogheda United so well over the years will become the change strip, and back comes a version of the red and black combo which was synonymous with the club when it was formed exactly a century ago.
It will be worn for the first time in a match when the Boynesiders host Cobh Ramblers in their league opener on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm) and recently installed club chairman Conor Hoey hopes there will be plenty to celebrate in 2019.
‘It’s a testament to the thousands of people who have contributed to the club since its formation that we are still here and thriving after 100 years,’ he said.
‘Of course the club has had its ups and downs - that’s the very nature of football - but we’re very much alive and kicking and looking forward to a successful season on and off the pitch.
‘We hope that everyone in the town will join us in celebrating our centenary - and the best way to do that is to come down to United Park and cheer the team on.’
Long-time backers Scotch Hall remain as the chief shirt sponsors, but Drogheda United are making a big deal about the colour change and as part of their pledge to become more community friendly they are going to donate 10% of the sale price of every jersey to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre.
In addition, the club are launching what they are calling a ‘major global competition’, namely ‘Bring a Drog Home’. Anybody who buys a jersey will be entered into a competition to win two Business Class return flights to anywhere in the world that Turkish Airlines fly.
Turkish Airlines were confirmed as one of the club’s other sponsors last night along with Anglo Printers, Gemini Capital Management and Integral Fitness & Leisure.
Commenting on the new jerseys, chairman Hoey added: ‘We’re reverting to red and black as a tribute to the founders of the club. It used to be our away kit when I was a kid, so I’ve always had a soft spot for it.
‘ The ‘Bring a Drog Home’ competition will, I hope, see the jersey go global. We’ll be encouraging Drogs all over the world to buy a jersey and submit a picture of them wearing it, but it could be ‘Send a Drog Away’ as well, so I’m hoping we can sell over 1,000 jerseys. Most importantly, I’m delighted that we’re helping to raise funds for such a worthwhile local charity.’