Fans had their say on 'Marmite' kit

IT is fair to say that Stoke City have been getting their ducks in a row to release a new kit for this coming season.

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The design process, started way back in March 2024, has involved an unprecedented amount of dialogue with supporters.

It is definitely bespoke rather than an off-the-peg copycat of other clubs and it is available to buy immediately online before hitting the shelves tomorrow.

The contention for Stoke is the actual design.

Supporters, it turns out, have been more prepared to push the envelope than the experts.

Everyone and anyone were invited to give feedback about what main themes they demanded in a Stoke kit.

Eventually 12 designs were put forward for consideration, three under each of four categories: retro, popular, fan-designed and Macron-designed.

The result - apparently the clear winner - is Stoke's most radical departure from tradition since at least 2010/11, when Adidas gave the club an all red back - and they reached the FA Cup Final.