any football shirt experts here - crap mum

[StillWantingADog]

arrggh! First world problem I know

Have an 8 yo football mad son, but we're not a footballing family really so don't know how it works

I've bought my son football kits in the past, only 1 a year as they're so expensive, but they've been for high profile teams eg Man United, PSG, England etc so never had any difficulty.

This year, for this birthday (May) he wanted the local league 2 team t-shirt. I couldn't get one at the time, it didn't surprise me that I couldn't get one as end of season, so I agreed to get him one of the new season ones when they came out, which I guessed to be in July. Fast forward to last week and I see they are in stock, we look online, he likes the new colours. So far so good. For some reason I don't pay for delivery or even arrange click and collect I think ooh I have this friday off work so we'll go up to the shop (a few miles away) and choose one together.

Bad move. All kids shirts sold out. Apparently within days.

To add insult to injury when coming out the shop we spot a class mate. I tell the mum the situation, she says 'oh I did click and collect so we should be ok'. 2 mins later the son walks out with his shirt and grins at my son and he has sobbed all the way home.

It really did not occur to me that the boys shirts would sell out before the season even began. I said to the woman in the shop 'when will you get more in stock' and she said 'not sure we will'. Is this really true that you can't get them after the initial rush. I know ebay will be a possibility I suppose. The website doesn't have a 'email me when back in stock' function so i suppose I will have to check back every day for the forseeable.

I know it's not a big deal in the great scheme of things but I promised him. And his classmate has one and he hasn't.

So can someone reassure me that yes, of course there will be more in stock at some point. Or have other ideas. Or should I face the fact that I've lost my chance until july next summer.

I'm the same @Rogue1001MNer . I also do,t have a son, don't even k ow where Stockport is and care nothing for football but I'm still here!

@StillWantingADog DH ( who supports a premiership team ) tried to go on to the website and buy a shirt for your son - but he said - she's right sold out. Other than supporting a team which can afford more stock - that was a joke 😁 He can only suggest phoning the club and explaining the disappointment. Well two of us tried for you here . I hope it works out well - but do phone and talk to someone.

I do think MN people can be kind and helpful

https://www.uksoccershop.com/p-161924/2019-2020-stockport-home-concept-football-shirt-kids.html

Any good?

More…

https://www.uksoccershop.com/p-238213/stockport-2022-2023-home-concept-football-kit-libero.html?currency=GBP&gcountry=UK&ovId=25136&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-_3v5s2xgAMVDdHtCh1VcgCSEAQYBCABEgJci_D_BwE

DH gate sell replica football shirts, they are loads cheaper and good quality. They aren't the real thing but no-one would know
Not sure if they do Stockport ones but my DC have bought shirts from their for their championship team

I am so grateful. Thank you.

Just a word of warning about concept kits posted upthread. These are not authentic or club issued kits. Fine if you're totally aware of that, but I know of a couple of grandparents who have bought these in good faith of them being the "right ones" and the kids have disappointed after thinking they were getting the club shirts.

Might be worth checking local sports shops around the area too?

First English football ground I ever saw was Edgeley Park, from the air, when flying to Manchester Airport from Ireland, on my way to watching Liverpool at Anfield for the first time. The stadium had the club name on the roof (and advertisements) with it being the direct flightpath to the airport. Recall Andy Preece and the giant Kevin Francis played upfront for Stockport at the time.

*SecretVictoria, the shirt manufacturer is Puma (just checked) with VITA the sponsor. Not sure what top that is you have linked.

OP, Stockport being league 2 (so fourth tier) the supply of replica shirts will obviously be a lesser than the top sides, but I'm not sure if there is a set number manufactured (seems unlikely) or will the fact they have seemingly sold out will that mean more are made. The latter makes far more sense from a business POV.

In your shoes, if I couldn't manage to get the top you wanted, I personally would get an Argentina jersey (with it's now three stars above the crest that represent each World Cup win) with Messi, 10 on the back. There cannot be anything cooler right now for a kid to own.

Think that's probably the best bet (if they are sold out online).

Shirts from lower league sides will be sold almost exclusively within the local area, so sports shops in around Stockport. I'd get ringing around OP (that's if you haven't already).

I knew this would be about county! I have contacts I will find out if they have another order in the pipeline. Last season they didn't order enough stock so I think they will have tried to avoid that this season. Fingers crossed they have another drop coming.

It's really easy to get tickets don't worry, games rarely sell out and if they do it's usually towards the end of the season. Sit in the family stand near the front, it's a nice atmosphere and v relaxed.

There's a family fun day there tomorrow, which sounds good and might soften the blow.

If posters on here are going to keep getting more amazing with each post, OP's DS will be signed to play for them by the time this thread is full.

Typing with tears in my eyes! (And I'm a full on viper!)

Damn you, people of this thread... you've melted this hard heart ❤️

Yeah so for smaller local clubs they probably only do one run with the manufacturer and most of these will be sold on pre-orders by season ticket holders and club fans on the mailing list etc.

You could post on a local Facebook group and see if anyone has ordered a spare they'd be willing to sell you.

You could also maybe buy him something like a training top tracksuit or away kit, if they do these for general sale.

Such a shame, it's hard disappointing kids when you don't realise something would sell out.

The sponsor VITA is actually owned by the same guy that owns county so it might be worth contacting them and asking to speak to Mark 😁

A family member works at Stockport county, I’ll see if they can do anything

This reflects my understanding. DH used to work in PL football so acquired vague knowledge of kit design/ordering timings etc.

Reported!

(Nominated for classics)

Crossing everything for you op (and you sound like an amazing mum!!)

Just realised that dp has a friend who is friends with somebody who plays for them…I’ll try that too

Ps yes to this to go to classics, hopefully it happens for op and mn really is a lovely place sometimes x

Have you tried just to ging them up and saying your son is upset he can't get a shirt. Do t some football teams have little kid mascots who walk on hiding hands with the players before the match. Ask if he can be one of the kid mascots.

They have the away shirt in a mens extra small - id buy that and tucked in to shorts it will probably be fine - its better than nothing

You might find that a child's season ticket is quite cheap. The team I support under 12s can buy one for £10. Obviously an adult has to have one too which would be more expensive. But there shouldn't be any problems getting matchday tickets.

@caringcarer - yes - I suggested this too . Ie being a mascot .

I still think phoning the club and explaining should be a good shout. Sometimes speaking to an Actual Person can work wonders

I really hope some of all the suggestions OP has had work for her son

I know it won't be quite the same but is it worth asking on local pages if anyone has a now too small top from last year?