Vale to announce new kit deal
Port Vale have ended their kit deal with Sondico and will announce a new kit manufacturer on Friday, Norman Smurthwaite has told the Sentinel.
We had another very optimistic contract of the number of shirts that needed to be sold, which I don’t believe long term we could meet. It is one of many contracts that I have terminated…
The Sondico contract, which Smurthwaite says was agreed under former chairman Paul Wildes was for five years and included a target for shirt sales which the club has been unable to meet.
He told the newspaper: “We had another very optimistic contract of the number of shirts that needed to be sold, which I don’t believe long term we could meet. It is one of many contracts that I have terminated.
“That is no fault of Sondico’s. The product was good and they delivered within time frames which were acceptable.”
The chairman laid the blame for delays in the controversial limited edition third shirt arriving on an unnamed club official. The shirts were paid for in May but did not arrive until November. Smurthwaite commented: “There was a lot of criticism about the third shirt but on record I can tell you that wasn’t ordered until mid-August when in fact it was supposed to be delivered in mid-August.
That was no fault of the manufacturer, it was down to a person in the commercial department, who is no longer at the club, giving assurances which should never have been given…
“That was no fault of the manufacturer, it was down to a person in the commercial department, who is no longer at the club, giving assurances which should never have been given.”
The chairman added: “The shirt manufacturer, which will be announced on Friday, is a new manufacturer based on a more acceptable level of shirts that this club can sell, without putting ourselves under pressure and not being able to deliver.
“There will be a special incentive regarding the sale of shirts, which will save people at least 20 per cent on the cost.”