Forest drop gambling logo from kids' replica shirts
NOTTINGHAM Forest are taking the logo of sponsor Victor Chandler off children's replica shirts to avoid breaching advertising guidelines.
The club's new kit was launched last week with the name of the online gambling firm emblazoned on the front.
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Choice of design: Kevin Jackson from the club shop shows off the adult and children's Forest shirts – with and without the sponsor's name – which are being launched next week. C310709SR1-1
Adult customers wanting a replica red shirt will be able to choose whether they want the company logo on when it goes on sale on August 7.
But anyone under 18 will not be allowed to buy a shirt with Victor Chandler's name on.
Forest officials took the decision to stay within the guidelines of the Gambling Commission's industry code for socially responsible advertising.
The code – designed to stop vulnerable people being attracted to gambling – is not legally binding.
But Brandon Furse, club operations manager, said they wanted to remain in-keeping with a family ethos.
He said he had spoken in detail with the commission about their plans.
"Legally, we might be able to do it but that is not the way we operate.
"All shirts are on sale without the logo on.
"The club will apply the logo free of charge to adults who request it.
"If adults ask for their child's shirt to carry the logo, the club will decline on the basis of the gambling commission's guidelines and our moral obligation."
The FA wrote to the country's top clubs in June reminding them of the terms of the code, introduced in 2007.
The guidelines state: "The advertising of adult-only gambling products or product suppliers should never be targeted at children.
"A clear example of this would be the use of logos on children's sports' shirts, which would not be permitted under the terms of this code."
Clubs are not obliged by law to follow the voluntary code of practice.
Wolves offer adults and children the choice of having the logo of sponsor SportingBet.com or charity Wolves Community Trust on replica shirts.
A spokesman said it was rare for children to buy a replica shirt without a parent or guardian, but they were dealt with on a "case by case basis".
Forest agreed a one-year shirt sponsorship deal with betting giant Victor Chandler last month.
The Reds will receive a substantial six-figure sum from the deal.
Victor Chandler runs two dedicated football betting websites, online casinos and other games.
A spokesman said the firm agreed "100%" with the reasoning behind the guidelines.
He said: "We understand that some youngsters will be unhappy with not having the exact shirt that their heroes wear on the pitch, but that is out of our control.
"With regard to the adult shirts, the logo issue is due to the late timing of our sponsorship.
"Although it is not ideal from a business perspective that the shirts do not have the Victor Chandler brand on it, as football fans ourselves we understand that some supporters want a shirt without the sponsor's logo on it.
"We think the circumstances have produced a situation that gives options for everyone."
Kevin Jackson, who works in the club shop, will be among those selling the new shirts from 9am on August 7. They can also be pre-ordered. Prices are adults £41.99, and children's from £31.99.
robert.parsons@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
20 Comments
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by FW, Nottingham
Sunday, August 02 2009, 1:33PM
“
FW, Nottingham. You just completely don't get it do you ? You obviously know very little about football or its history and I'm not about to waste my time regaling you with it.
I played it for a fairly hopeless local team, I still watch it quite regulatry, and I enjoy a good game (usually irrespective of which team ultimately wins). I just choose not to get into the whole sad supporter thing of how "we" did this weekend, or waste my money on replica kit.
For your part, you are very welcome to buy into the whole commercial business of professional football, and spend your money on it if it brings you pleasure..
Whether it is you or I who "gets" football is purely a matter of opinion.”
by bugcafe, London
Sunday, August 02 2009, 11:06AM
“What a really badly thought out sponsorship deal. Didn't anyone at the club have the foresight to predict that their might be a neagtive 'politically correct' outcome from doing a deal with a company from the gambling industry? As a consequence younger Forest supporters can no longer wear the same shirts as their heroes. This may turn out to be a massive a PR and marketing disaster for a club that has done much to involve families and the local commmunity in football. Finally, what shirt will the academy teams be wearing next season?”
by Hulk, Nottingham
Sunday, August 02 2009, 10:58AM
“FW, Nottingham. You just completely don't get it do you ? You obviously know very little about football or its history and I'm not about to waste my time regaling you with it. Random thoughts touches on it and makes a very good point referring to the post-Hillsborough era but I'm afraid you haven't got a clue. And if I want to spend my money on a £42 shirt then I will. Some people spend that down the boozer on a weekend (me included) and all you end up with is a hangover. But it's down to personal choice. I earn it, I'll spend it how I choose.”
by NWM, NWL
Sunday, August 02 2009, 9:53AM
“Football, booze and soaps are the opiates of the people, along with opiates of course. Take Class A drugs, they¿re cheaper.”
by random thoughts, from someone who remembers
Sunday, August 02 2009, 8:25AM
“"Professional football has always been a scam to distract people who have a primitive need to belong to a tribe for just long enough to extract the contents of their wallets;"
Only agreed up to a certain point. MODERN football is indeed a cash hoover, but I remember back in the day when clubs werent so money mad. Does anybody else remember that if you were a kid or a youth back in BC's day, they used to let you in for free at half time if you couldnt afford to get in.
That would be unheard of these days.
And the reason that the game is so badly attended these days (with atmosphere to match) is because of the prices,
Modern football started taking the pi$$ from the 90's onwards in my book. Look at any youtube vid of a match from the 80's and feel that atmosphere. Go further back to the 70's and it gets better. Attendences to match too.
They took Hillsborough and made an excuse out of it to shank everybody to a seat and charge them a fortune for the pleasure. Between that and the premierleague, and sky, the game's been hijacked.”
by Dave, Nottingham
Saturday, August 01 2009, 11:21PM
“Good point, nottsfan!
And personally, I wouldn't buy a shirt at half the price, simply because the polyester is too damned uncomfortable to wear.”
by FW, Nottingham
Saturday, August 01 2009, 7:29PM
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£41.99 for a football shirt. And FROM £31.99 for a kid's. Outrageous. Once the working man's game, it's now been lost to the money men and the prawn sandwich brigade.
The clubs used to be owned by the working man, did they? No, of course not. Professional football has always been a scam to distract people who have a primitive need to belong to a tribe for just long enough to extract the contents of their wallets; real football fans go and actually play the game or maybe watch a sunday league team for free. The replic shirt thing is just the latest version of this tax on the stupid.
I'm still gonna get one though
Oops.”
by Victor Chandler (Honest Daves Apprentice), Sweat Shop In Egypt
Saturday, August 01 2009, 4:17PM
“Thanks for the great money saving tip, Dave.”
by Charlie, Sherwood
Saturday, August 01 2009, 4:06PM
“I always knew Bruce is a Reds fan!”
by The Boss, America
Saturday, August 01 2009, 2:03PM
“In the day we sweat it out in the streets of a runaway American dream At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines....”