Skindred team up with Newport Country AFC & Lovers FC
SKINDRED TEAM UP WITH
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC AND LOVERS F.C TO RELEASE THE ‘EXILES’ SPECIAL ONE-OFF AWAY KIT
THE KIT WILL BE DEBUTED AGAINST CARLISLE ON DECEMBER 7TH
Skindred have teamed up with Newport County AFC in partnership with the club's kit suppliers, VX3, and their new official creative partners, Lover’s F.C to create a one-off shirt to celebrate the Welsh city’s vibrant West Indian / ethnic community through its unique Caribbean-flavoured design.
Newport city local legend, rock icon and Skindred frontman Benji Webbe comments on the collaboration, “Whether you’re Black or you’re White, the colour of your skin doesn’t matter, it’s your attitude… That’s what draws Newport together. Skindred and Newport are joined at the hip. We have flown the flag for the city from day one. For us to be part of the official strip for my hometown club, especially telling the tale it does, is something dreams are made of. Music and football bring both people together and give them the freedom to be themselves and this kit celebrates that.”
This is a personal kit release for all involved. LOVERS FC is headed up by local boy and lifelong County Supporter Neal Heard. Skindred lead singer Benji Webbe is from (and still lives in) Newport suburb Pill, and Newport County players Courtney Baker Richardson, Kyle Jameson, and Kyle Hudlin, all of West Indian heritage, jumped at the chance to take part in the kit launch shoot.
LOVERS F.C. with VX3 set to document this in the most authentic way possible and went direct to the source. The shoot celebrates the influence of the solid Caribbean diaspora on Newport, with friends, family and key members of the local community all coming together to hit the local independent music store KRIMINAL records along with their favourite dockside local, The Ship and Pilot in the heart of the multicultural Pillgwenlly area of the city, putting a focus on the spirit of the city's independent community attitude…
Neal Heard, the club’s Creative Director and Lover’s F.C founder added: “We want to explore the city's creative stories and creative storytellers, punching above our weight on and off the pitch is what we will be all about, and through taking design and history seriously we intend to appeal to fans across the globe as much as those in the city itself. The Skindred kit is the perfect way to kick this off.’’
Newport County chairman, Huw Jenkins, also welcomed the partnership, adding: "We’re delighted to team up with Skindred, a band that truly represents the spirit of Newport. This collaboration underscores the power of community and shared pride in the city.’’
The Skindred shirt launches on the December 4th to purchase at the club shop in Friars Walk, at the stadium on match days or online at (https://shop.newport-county.co.uk/), while it will receive its pitch debut against Carlisle on December 7th.
ABOUT SKINDRED / @skindredmusic
Formed in Newport in 1998, Skindred are Benji Webbe (vocals), Mikey Demus (guitar), Dan Pugsley (bass) and Arya Goggin (drums). Consistently proving to be one of the UK’s most vital rock bands the ragga metal collective enjoyed their most successful period of their careers in so far in the last 12 months.
Their eighth studio album Smile rose to No.2 in UK Official Albums Chart, leading to numerous sold out shows around the world, performing their largest headline show to date at Wembley Arena and being honoured with awards including Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBO Awards and Best UK Artist at the Heavy Music Awards.
MORE INFO ON LOVERS F.C / @loversf.c
LOVERS F.C. (LFC) is where football and streetwear collide. LFC was founded by Uber Kit Connoisseur, Creative Consultant and Pop Culture Historian Neal Heard. A man who saw not just one global streetwear trend coming and documented it, but two! The Author of the now seminal ‘The Football Shirts Book’ and equally influential ‘Sneakers’. Lover’s F.C. has steered football into new, uncharted waters, with Selfridges, YMC, FIFA & JAMESON collabs under its belt, connecting football and football teamwear within the premium fashion arena.
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