Newcastle United and Aston Villa: Kit Woes with Castore - What Went Wrong?



In recent news, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have both found themselves entangled in kit-related controversies surrounding their partnership with Castore, the sportswear manufacturer. These revelations have raised questions about the quality and performance of Castore's products, leaving fans and players frustrated.


Newcastle United's Decision to Part Ways with Castore


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Newcastle United's decision to sever ties with Castore came to light amid a storm of complaints from supporters. The discontent ranged from poor customer service to significant delays in order deliveries, creating a negative perception of the club's association with Castore. Fans also lamented the subpar quality of some products and the consistent unavailability of stock in Castore stores across the city.


One unique aspect of this situation is the material of the Castore shirts. While players from both Aston Villa's men's and women's teams experienced discomfort due to their shirts becoming drenched with sweat, Newcastle players reported no such problems. This discrepancy suggests that the issues may not be uniform across all clubs partnered with Castore.


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Castore had been paying approximately £5 million annually to manufacture Newcastle's first-team kit and training wear. Although the contract was set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, Newcastle decided to jump ship to Adidas starting next season. The switch to Adidas not only promises a more lucrative deal but also stronger supply chains and improved quality control, according to sources.


The connection between Newcastle's glorious past under managers like Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson and Adidas as the kit manufacturer played a pivotal role in the decision. Adidas, who will be paying around £40 million per season to supply Newcastle's kit, is poised to bring a new era of high-quality football gear to the club.


Aston Villa's Kit Dilemma


Meanwhile, Aston Villa, another club in partnership with Castore, faces its own set of kit-related challenges. Both the men's and women's teams have reported issues with their Castore-manufactured shirts, particularly regarding their inability to absorb sweat. Damian Vidagany, Villa's director of football operations, acknowledged the problem and assured that the marketing department is working with the supplier to resolve it.


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Notably, Villa's co-owner, Nassef Sawiris, has ties to the German sportswear giant Adidas, leading to speculations that the club may follow Newcastle's lead and transition to Adidas in the future.


Conclusion


The kit controversies surrounding Newcastle United and Aston Villa have put Castore in the spotlight. While Newcastle opted to part ways due to various issues, including poor customer service and delayed orders, Aston Villa continues to work with Castore to address the sweat-absorption problem.


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As both clubs navigate these challenges, the football world will be watching closely to see how these issues are resolved and whether other clubs with Castore partnerships encounter similar difficulties. In the end, the players, fans, and the reputation of the clubs are at stake, making the choice of kit manufacturer a crucial decision for football teams.

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