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MNHQ

Mumsnet calls for an end to Premiership kit rip-off

258 replies

KatieMumsnet · 28/06/2011 22:58

As you might have seen we're writing to Premiership clubs, asking them to stop ripping off young fans with their replica kits. When we did our Family Friendly survey back in February 80% of you who responded said they thought football club merchandise ripped off families. We've now done the maths and the average Premiership kit for an eight year old retails at almost £60, rising to £80+ if you include getting the latest logos and player names. We know a similar (non-branded) kit at M&S costs £27, so are asking (very nicely of course) if the Premiership clubs couldn't produce a more affordable kit for their junior fans as they do for their toddlers.

As JustineMumsnet said in our press release "it's really hard to be the parent who says 'no' to the requests for the latest kits but these days you need a small fortune to buy a complete replica."

We'll keep you updated as the clubs respond to our letter, but let us know your thoughts, and of course if you want to tweet your club in support, that would be fine and lovely.

OP posts:
cleverything · 29/06/2011 10:57

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Porpoise · 29/06/2011 10:57

Actually, I'm glad to see this campaign. We can't afford the newest replica kits - we make do with secondhand old ones - and it does rile that they're SO expensive and that they change so often. My DS1 recently saved up for one, bought it - and a few months later it got replaced by a newer one.

Also, this kind of thing does seem to be dripping down to grassroots clubs. Our local kids' footie clubs now expect us to fork out for full "training kit" with the club logo on. We're talking £50 a pop for each child. ON TOP of the club fees for training, coaching, matches, match kits etc.

It does all add up. And makes me feel Sad that my kids already feel we're in the bottom division, financially...

veritythebrave · 29/06/2011 10:57

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GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 10:57

i dont think the shirts are poor value Justine. would you like me to send in ds Arsenal away kit? he got it age 5.....miles too big,but he has worn and worn it...first as pj's as too big,then out and about as a kit,then on its own as a shirt....he's almost 13 and had it on last night!!! its still in excellant condition,albeit outdated

maybe a campaign about olympics ticket prices .....wonder what the mechandise will be there!

also.....have looked AGAIN...by 'kit' i mean the 3 items sold together like the mini and baby kits. i cant see full kits for sale for ages 8.10.12.14.....just individual items,shirts,socks and shorts...all available separately,as are fleeces,jackets etc

only looked at chelsea tho

larrygrylls · 29/06/2011 10:57

Justine,

Seriously? Are you going mad this morning?

What business is it of MN what a football club pays their players or what they charge for their kit? If kids want the kit and their parents can afford it and want to buy it, they can. If not, they can say no. What is so hard about that? How about a campaign against Prada as not every parent can afford their kids' range (yes it does exist)? After all, it must be heartbreaking to have to deny your daughter a dress costing £300.

If you really want to intervene in pricing in a positive way for children, why not campaign against the structure of offers and promotions in supermarkets. Every offer on display that I see tends to be on processed "rubbish". This is seriously affecting the health of a generation and I would term it irresponsible behaviour by major organisations who could do so much better.

marimo · 29/06/2011 10:58

And surely the most effective "campaign" would be a simple boycott of the merchandise until it's a more "affordable" price? Ie: parents saying no until it's cheaper? Market forces, no?

GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 10:58

verity.....dd was a mascot for chelsea 2 years ago,it was FREE

also,5 years ago she was reading mascot,also free

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 10:59

@cleverything

I strongly disagree with this campaign. If "all my DD wants for her birthday" is a pony, so we campaign for that? If my DS wants to play the harp and not the recorder, do we campaign for them to be the same price?

Of course not. But if the harp sellers marked up their harps 500% and released 2 new harp models every year and spent fortunes encouraging your child to desire each new harp, while at the same time claiming they did everything they could to look after young harpists, you'd have a damm good case for a campaign. I'd back you!

wimpybar · 29/06/2011 10:59

nope still don't get it!

GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 11:00

justine......can we get someone in for a webchat please??? FA official or someone from a club maybe?

veritythebrave · 29/06/2011 11:01

This reply has been deleted

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cleverything · 29/06/2011 11:01

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GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 11:02

whats wrong with pre order......we do it with books,dvd's etc dont we??

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 11:02

@larrygrylls

Justine,

Seriously? Are you going mad this morning?

What business is it of MN what a football club pays their players or what they charge for their kit? If kids want the kit and their parents can afford it and want to buy it, they can. If not, they can say no. What is so hard about that? How about a campaign against Prada as not every parent can afford their kids' range (yes it does exist)? After all, it must be heartbreaking to have to deny your daughter a dress costing £300.

If you really want to intervene in pricing in a positive way for children, why not campaign against the structure of offers and promotions in supermarkets. Every offer on display that I see tends to be on processed "rubbish". This is seriously affecting the health of a generation and I would term it irresponsible behaviour by major organisations who could do so much better.

I think MN has every right to point out that parents think football clubs rip of kids. Doesn't mean other issues are off the agenda. Everything is on the agenda.

And no, not particularly mad but quite cross about rip off football kits Wink

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 11:04

@ILoveTIFFANY

whats wrong with pre order......we do it with books,dvd's etc dont we??

Nothing at all - we're talking at crossed purposes. Was just used to illustrate price of a new kit.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 11:06

@cleverything

OK, so the harp example was less good. How about the Mulberry bag one?

Everyone knows Mulberry is a luxury good. Football clubs claim they are for the people - national game etc - increasingly it's become a rich persons' pursuit.

GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 11:06

chelsea mascot day was fab!! we were treated like royalty by their hospiatality.

John Terry went out of his way to make DD happy,and Frank Lampard really pushed the boat out for her by showing her inside his locker etc. they didnt have to do that. we had a FREE lunch with the WAGS who were chatting happily to us

the foreign players posed for pics and made an effort to speak to dd in English. the manager chatted,Ray Wilkes let her sit in his office and ask a million questions.

all for free

just want to attempt to put a positive slant on football and how they interact with kids

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 11:06

@ILoveTIFFANY

justine......can we get someone in for a webchat please??? FA official or someone from a club maybe?

Good idea. We shall try.

SexyDomesticatedDab · 29/06/2011 11:08

As JustineMumsnet said in our press release "it's really hard to be the parent who says 'no' to the requests for the latest kits but these days you need a small fortune to buy a complete replica."

So it's hard to say no - lots of things in life we can't / don't give. Good parenting is about saying no and explaining why.

wifeofbrian · 29/06/2011 11:12

It's the two new kits a year wot gets me down. This built-in-obsolescence thing is blardy annoying - and if they insist on it, £60 a time is ludicrous.

It actually makes me much tougher with DS about buying any at all, because it feels as though the clubs are sniggering as they grab my cash.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 29/06/2011 11:13

@SexyDomesticatedDab

As JustineMumsnet said in our press release "it's really hard to be the parent who says 'no' to the requests for the latest kits but these days you need a small fortune to buy a complete replica."

So it's hard to say no - lots of things in life we can't / don't give. Good parenting is about saying no and explaining why.

Of course that's true. Doesn't stop it being hard and your kid getting teased though.

GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 11:13

2 new kits a year? do you mean a 'season'

if so.....what is the official line on this from the FA.

Cattleprod · 29/06/2011 11:18

I'm quite surprised that Mumsnet wants to be involved in any way with something as historically and intrinsically mysogynistic as professional football. I thought they were all about supporting equality.

I'd be happier if they doubled the price of the shirts, then nobody would be able to afford them and I wouldn't have to look at so many badly dressed people.

GypsyMoth · 29/06/2011 11:19

charter of premier league ruled 10 years ago that shirts change every 2 years....has this been revised then? i have no idea....

i think shirts might be new each season due to changes in club sponsorships? is this the clubs fault?

SexyDomesticatedDab · 29/06/2011 11:21

So we must all follow the crowd and buy what ever is 'in'. My DS (14) has a very basic phone and not the latest smart phone - so should we just give in and buy a smart phone cos that's what his friends got?

Thats what these companies rely on - pester power - like the stuff at the checkout etc. More of a campaign on how to be an individual and make your own choices in this world would be better.

This site has adverts from places like luxury family hotels - you could say that is also putting pressure onto families here who cannot afford a holiday at all.

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