Two Redditch United supporters were invited to take their place front and centre of the club’s annual team group photograph after designing the kits for the 2025/26 season.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, which attracted over 2,000 entries, the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club once more invited the fans to get creative.
There was a slight twist this time around as the adults were invited to design the home kit and kids given the opportunity to come up with an away kit to wear on their travels.
The winning entries will be proudly worn by all of the teams under the club banner this season, from the Men’s and Women’s first teams down to the junior teams, that’s a total of over 600 players!
Once more the entries came in thick and fast before being whittled down to a final five designs, which, with the help of their kit manufacturer, HOPE + GLORY, were brought to life so fans could view and vote for their favourite creations.
The sample shirts went on a tour of the local shopping centre and were displayed at the Reds' home game against neighbours, Bromsgrove Sporting, at the end of March.
Voting was tense, but in the end, Lee Rogers’ design was selected as the 2025/26 home kit and Ella West had her design picked for the away colours. They were both invited along to the club’s annual photo call.
“My son entered the competition last year and then got the paperwork from his school to enter again this year,” said Lee Rogers to the club’s media. “This time I noticed that adults were being encouraged to enter too so I set about coming up with a design for the home kit.
“It was my son who encouraged me to actually enter it and then I got a message to say that it had been short-listed, which I was really excited about!
“The sample shirts then went on their little tour of the local area to be voted on and lo and behold, my design was picked! I’m 49 years of age, but when I was told I’d won I was like a little schoolboy again.
“It’s great to see the team wearing my design this season, so now I can add fashion designer to my CV!”
Congratulations to Lee and Ella and a big pat on the back to Redditch United for running such a popular competition that has really engaged their local community.
IMAGE: Redditch United FC
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