With Andy Carroll’s signature on a six-year contract, and the move to the Olympic Stadium set for the 2016/17 season, there’s certainly a lot for Hammers fans to look forward to. This was reinforced yesterday with the unveiling of West Ham’s new home kit, which showcases two new lucrative sponsorship deals.
The last time the West Ham squad was seen in an adidas kit, they managed to secure third place in the league – their highest ever finish. Only Everton and eventual winners Liverpool finished above them after a hard-fought title run-in. Fans that remember the 1985/86 season will surely draw similarities between the kit worn by legends such as Sir Trevor Brooking, and the latest claret and blue.
Several of the players from the 85/86 season have given their opinions on the new kit, with Tony Cottee remarking that:
“’86 was a special season and I didn’t realise that was the last time we wore adidas. This is the first chance I’ve had to look and the new kit and I’m really impressed.”
Superstition is popular among football fans, and there’s no doubt that some will see West Ham’s return to adidas as a sign of things to come. Frank McAvennie hopes the new strip will bring some fortune at least. McAvennie said:
“It would be great if [the new kit] can bring us a bit of luck like it did that season, because we did well and played some great stuff.”
The 2012/13 season was a solid one for the Hammers, and everyone at the club will be looking to build on the progress made by Sam Allardyce and co. A repeat of 1985/86 is not on the cards just yet, but there’s certainly opportunity for the East London club to move up the pack if they continue to make good signings and perform well financially.
The marquee signing of Andy Carroll in particular is sure to be exciting for West Ham fans. While just seven goals in 24 appearances isn’t exactly world class, many still believe he can recapture the impressive form he showed for Newcastle United, which inspired his record breaking £35 million transfer to Liverpool.
West Ham have been good at securing deals recently. In addition to adidas, the Hammers also have a new shirt sponsor in the form of forex broker Alpari. This multi-million pound agreement is to last for a period of three years.
With the agreement for the Olympic Stadium now finalised for a 2016 opening, West Ham’s possible attendances will rise from 35,000 to almost 60,000. It’s hoped that the increased revenues will result.
West Ham’s opening game is at home against Cardiff City on the 17th August. Expectations will be high.
This article is written by Edward Roebuck.
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