Newport County in partnership with the club’s kit suppliers, VX3, and their new official creative partners, big hitters in the football culture landscape, Lover’s F.C. have created their debut collaboration kit with local Ragga Metal Heroes SKINDRED.
The one-off match-worn kit is a celebration of the city’s vibrant West Indian / ethnic community through its unique Caribbean-flavoured design.
Local boy and lead singer of the band, Benji Webbe aptly sums it up; “Whether you’re Black or your White, the colour of your Skin don’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 home town 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.
In now trademark fashion LOVERS F.C. in heavy partnership with team kit suppliers VX3, set to document the kit and community in the most authentic way possible. So they went 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 as well as its creative storytellers. With lovers working with VX3 punching above our weight on and off the pitch is what the club’s kit offerings 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 4th of December to purchase at the club shop in Friars Walk, at the stadium on match days or online at (https://shop.newport-county.co.uk/)
ABOUT SKINDRED – INSTAGRAM –
Formed in Newport in 1998, the band is made up of Benji Webbe, Mikey Demus, Dan Pugsley and Arya Goggin.
They have won several awards including ‘Best Live Band’ at the UK Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards,, Best Live Act’ at the Heavy Music Awards and Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBO Awards.
They celebrated the most successful period of their careers in the last 12 months, with their album Smile reaching number two in the charts, a sell-out show at Wembley Arena, an appearance on Later… with Jools Holland, BBC Breakfast, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
MORE INFO ON LOVERS F.C – LOVERS FC / INSTAGRAM
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. 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.
VX3 Official Club Kit Suppliers – INSTAGRAM –
NEWPORT COUNTY A.F.C – INSTAGRAM