Fans of Newcastle United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which journalist Mark Douglas provided an update on the club’s potential new partnership with kit manufacturer Castore.
According to Douglas, Castore is ‘yet to confirm’ its partnership with Newcastle, however, that the new kit deal is ‘looking likely’.
The journalist’s tweet also included a link to an article of his on the subject for the Chronicle Live, in which he claimed that ‘industry insiders’ had confirmed that Castore is ‘in line to take over the Newcastle United kit deal’.
So, what did these Newcastle United fans have to say about Mark Douglas’ tweet regarding Castore?
does this show that Castore is part of Ashleys Sports division?
— andy graham (@andygraham66) November 15, 2020
Another below average deal with a well below average supplier. Even at our current level, we should be looking to negotiate far better commercial deals for the club. Little wonder questions are asked over the make up of such deals.
— Steve Wallwork (@stevewallwork) November 15, 2020
Two entirely private companies also so the financials will undoubtedly be vague.
It’s the kind of deal we’re used to under Ashley.
— David Pick (@davidpick1987) November 15, 2020
Stinks of Ashley
— Dammit, Marty (@DammitMarty) November 15, 2020
I’m sure there’ll be a trail back to him.
— Dean Woods (@wuds100) November 15, 2020
From these comments, it would appear that some Newcastle fans have drawn a link between Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and the club’s potential new kit manufacturer – presumably because Castore also manufactures the kits for Scottish side Rangers, whom Ashley held a stake in until 2017.
Do you think Ashley owns a stake in Castore?
Yes
No
However, Castore has openly denied the suggestion that Ashley is a stakeholder in – or indeed, has anything to do with – the company.
Are Slazenger, Ocean Pacific or Dunlop not in the running?
— DN ?????? (@dienoctuque) November 15, 2020
They could disrupt things a bit and offer lower-priced kits.
They could, but they won’t.
— Rich Harle (@RJHarle) November 15, 2020
Can’t do anything right this Club. pic.twitter.com/RNwQA36jvS
— James Rhodes (@JamesRh39624947) November 15, 2020
All in all, be it because of the admittedly rather suspicious coincidence that Castore looks set to become the kit manufacturer of Newcastle having taken over at another club that Mike Ashley has previously owned a stake in, or simply because of the fact they do not think very much of the kits Castore design, Newcastle fans are far from happy at the fact the company is poised to take over as the new designer of their club’s kits.