Bolton Wanderers have far more important things to worry about than football kits.
The summer months usually bring a longing sense of anticipation for the new season and the release of your team’s new kit is ordinarily one of the most exciting times in that lean spell without football.
We want to know if that new kit will be released in time to be paraded by the pool, and nowadays, many clubs release next-season’s number before the current campaign has ended.
Spare a thought then for Bolton Wanderers fans.
The Trotters began their League One season in financial strife and have a 12 point deduction penalty against their name. With a protracted takeover yet to be finalised, Hummel have stepped in to provide playing kit to a club facing an uncomfortable campaign ahead of them.
Last Saturday, Bolton fans travelled to Wycombe Wanderers in their numbers for the first game of the season with just three recognised players in their line-up, and this weekend fielded their youngest ever side as they hosted Coventry City.
Without wishing to sound too much like a Paul Hardcastle song, the average age of Phil Parkinson’s team was just 19.
N-n-nineteen.
OK. We’ll get our coat.
Bolton’s boys battled out a spirited goalless draw with the Sky Blues in a smart Hummel kit, and whilst the arrangement may turn out to be temporary, the simplicity of the shirts, bereft of sponsorship logos and other unnecessary adornments, presented a perfect strip for the young heroes.
Hummel and Bolton Wanderers remain in talks about providing kit for the rest of the season, but whatever agreement they come up with could scarcely beat this one.
We dearly hope that the catalogue of off-field issues can be swiftly resolved and that Phil Parkinson and Bolton Wanderers can start planning for an altogether brighter future, reflective of the great club’s past.
For now, we salute the loyal supporters and brave boys that earned that first point of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Sartorial Soccer 