Iconic Brand Joins AFC Wimbledon In Their Playoff Push With War Child Charity A Main Beneficiary

AFC Wimbledon is always a club that aims to break into new territory, and as they continue their push for the League Two playoffs this coming Easter weekend, they are taking their brand to new areas with a collaboration with Warm & Wonderful.

The British knitwear brand has helped the club in making a one-off kit that will be worn in their Good Friday fixture against Harrogate Town at Plough Lane. The iconic “black sheep” design, which was once worn by the late Princess Diana – who presented the FA Cup to Wimbledon skipper Dave Beasant after their famous trophy win in 1988 – will be the main design of this bespoke strip.

As a result, two charities will benefit from limited edition sales, War Child and the AFC Wimbledon Foundation. War Child has been helping children who have been affected by conflicts around the world since 1993 and has never been more relevant given what is happening right now in certain areas. The award-winning Foundation does excellent work in the community and provides welcome support and activities for all ages in the area.

The shirt that will be worn on Friday will feature the War Child logo on the sleeve and has been approved by the EFL. They also have links to Sports Interactive, makers of the Football Manager computer game, which has had their logo and sponsorship on Dons kits since 2002. Making them the longest-serving kit sponsor in the entire league.

Marc Jones, who is the club’s Branding and Digital Transformation Lead, has been at the heart of the club’s kit design for two decades. “As part of my role with the Club, I’m keen to push our story into new areas. Other clubs have collaborated with brands to increase their exposure and reach and this is a chance for us to show a little of who we are to a new audience.

“Rowing Blazers is a brand I have been following for some time and we have a shared energy for standing out from the crowd. We’d already committed to the shirt takeover to benefit the War Child charity and as the colours tied up with Warm & Wonderful’s iconic design it all fitted together to draw attention and raise funds.

“The slightly tweaked playing version will instantly become one of, if not the, rarest Wimbledon shirts you could own.”

As part of a celebration of the long-serving sponsorship, Sports Interactive will be jointly hosting a special event at the club on Wednesday evening that will showcase all past Wimbledon kits since 2002, as well as special appearances by former players.

On top of this the retail version of the limited run of 500 shirts will be available at an event held at Classic Football Shirts in Shoreditch, London, this Thursday evening, a day before everyone gets to see the shirt, and the Dons in action.

Writer’s View

Never one to be accused of sitting on their hands, AFC Wimbledon are again pushing the envelope and shrugging off those who say it can’t be done. Of course, there have been collaborations before, but this is the first time that the Dons have broken tradition will a kit that generally goes against traditional colours.

The charities involved are relevant and topical, and this should bode well when the kit goes on sale, as many shirt collectors will want to get their hands on a piece of history.

 

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