Everton’s partnership with kit manufacturer Castore got off to a shaky start when the badge on one player’s new home shirt came loose during its first public outing.
The Toffees began their pre-season schedule on Friday by drawing 3-3 with Sligo Rovers in Ireland.
Sean Dyche’s team were decked out in the club’s new home strip, made by Castore – who became Everton’s new ‘official technical partner’ on June 14.
The top half of the outfit worn by those on the pitch was the ‘Castore Home Pro Shirt’, which retails to fans at a price of £110 via evertonfc.com.
When Everton’s club-record deal with Castore was announced last month, the ‘Pro’ kit was described as having ‘laser-cut detailing to enhance breathability and comfort on the pitch, alongside high-tech features that support performance on the field.’
Everton (blue) wore their new home kit during a 3-3 draw against Sligo Rovers (red) on Friday
Idrissa Gueye ended the first half without a club badge on his shirt after it blew off in the wind
However, it did not look particularly high tech midway through the first half on Friday when the club badge on Idrissa Gueye’s jersey came loose and began flapping in the wind.
The badge later came off completely, before it was claimed by fans via social media that the Everton kit man had to glue it back on at half-time.
An account called No Context Everton tweeted: ‘Everton’s first run out in their new kit by manufacturer Castore tonight………30 minutes in and the badges started falling off.
‘By half time Gueyes badge had fell off completely. Sean Dyche and the kit man had to glue them back on at half time. These small clubs.’
An Everton fan added: ‘Literally flapping in the wind. Really bad publicity for Castore on the kit’s first outing.
‘The quality control people there are not doing their job…..If they’ve got any quality control that is!’
The ‘Pro’ version of Everton’s new home shirt is currently priced at £110 on the club’s website
Meanwhile, another fan asked: ‘With the history of Castore kit disasters why would a club choose them?’
Castore has previously made kits for Wolves, Aston Villa and Newcastle in the Premier League.
These partnerships also encountered occasional – but well documented – issues, including upside down badges, lettering peeling off and seems ripping.
On the pitch on Friday, Everton came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to earn a draw.
Youssef Chermiti scored twice late on after Mason Holgate had got the Premier League side’s first goal.
Luke Pearce, Kyle McDonagh and Kevin Muldoon got the goals for Sligo.
Next up for Everton is an away trip to Salford next Saturday.
