Supporters were hammering on the door of West Ham United’s Liberty Romford Store on Wednesday, eager to get their hands on the Club’s new 2017/18 Umbro Home kit.
Fans of all ages tried on the smart Claret and Blue shirt and white shorts and socks for size for the first time in the company of former Hammers favourites Steve Lomas - who is appearing from 3-6pm - and Kenny Brown, while dozens took the opportunity to take on the Club’s eSports player Jamboo at FIFA17.
What’s more, supporters were also able to capture their experience by filming a personal ‘Player Walk Up’, similar to those used by Sky Sports and BT Sport in their live broadcasts of West Ham’s Premier League matches!
Order your 2017/18 Umbro Home kit now!
Brown, who played 79 times for West Ham United between 1991-96, famously scoring the winning goal to deny Manchester United the Premier League title at the Boleyn Ground in April 1992, was on hand to meet and greet supporters.
Brown is a big fan of the new design, which takes inspiration from the famous chevron strip worn by Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking in the 1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, the Club’s famous crossed hammers crest and the iconic floodlights at West Ham’s London Stadium home.
Love that, Tyler! ⚒️
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) July 12, 2017
Get your own walk up filmed in the new Home Kit at our Liberty Romford Store today! #WeAreWestHam pic.twitter.com/69ybgU4bRo
“I am really impressed with the new kit,” said the son of legendary 1964 FA Cup winner and 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup winner Ken Brown. “It’s the first time I have seen it in person and I love the design – the shirt is real Claret and Blue and it looks great alongside the traditional white shorts and socks!
“I had seen pictures of the new kit on social media, but it looks even better in the flesh.
“Spending time with the supporters at the Store, you can see this is a shirt that will look good for both playing football and for wearing around the house of going out, whether you are young or old. It’s great!”
Like every young Hammer, Barking-born Brown grew up hoping to receive the new West Ham shirt as a birthday or Christmas gift from his famous father.
I had seen pictures of the new kit on social media, but it looks even better in the flesh!
Kenny Brown
“I always wanted the new shirt when it was released!” he smiled. “I was fortunate enough to have my Dad play for West Ham and when he brought a shirt home for me to wear, I would literally never take it off – I’d even wear it in bed!
“Now, I’ve got three children of my own and my eleven-year-old son is a massive West Ham fan. His birthday is in September and I am sure a new Home shirt will be top of his wish-list.”
The Home kit itself is an instant classic.
The two-tone claret body of the shirt is complemented by smart sky blue sleeves featuring the famous running diamond on the shoulder, an iconic staple to Umbro jerseys for decades.
Completing the look is a classic Union Jack motif, inspired by the original Thames Ironworks FC shirt from 1895, on the upper reverse of the shirt.
The white home shorts are tailored with stretch fabrics for maximum comfort and freedom of movement, featuring contrasted diamonds down the side to match the sleeves of the jersey.
Double-welt socks – reverting back to white – feature a claret and blue band adorned with the double diamond to complete a kit that matches the modern day footballer’s high level of performance on the pitch.
The Hammers’ new Home kit is available to order now online from the Official West Ham Store or in person at the Club’s London Stadium, Lakeside Thurrock and Liberty Romford stores.
The short-sleeved Home shirt is priced at £49.50 for Adult sizes and £40.50 for Junior sizes until midnight on Sunday 13 August.