Exactly. It wouldn't be my choice of charity personally (nothing against them per se before anyone starts, but I prefer to see the club do tie ins with local charities like St. Rocco's), but irrespective of that it just smacks of an excuse to release a third kit, charging the same price as the others, but slap a token charity donation in there and watch the plaudits and sales roll in. Cynical marketing in my opinion.

If 100% of the profit was going to the charity, or the shirt was being sold at a significantly lower price (£20 maybe) then I wouldn't buy one myself but I would respect the idea in principle. As it is I don't agree with it.

You seem to be working on the assumption that those shirts are cheap to produce? I've always been told that profit margins on individual shirt sales are minimal (sorry, can't name the sources, too long ago and I forget who said it, but it's mostly from people involved with the clubs!), and the reason the shirts cost as much as £45 in the first place is because the shirts cost so much to produce.

In a limited production run like this one, the cost of production per shirt will be even higher as bulk order discounts will be less favourable/none existent.

I won't disagree with that. And on a related note, I hope everyone bought one of the scarfs?

Well I've bought one and the quality is miles better than both the Home and Away China made shirts (that I didn't buy due to that quality).

Nothing against China but there's a huge difference in the quality of those shirts compared to Australian Made one's. In terms of the material, the sponsors either being in the fabric or actually embroidered. Definitely more like the ISC I've known in the past, lets hope that the club has ISC Australian Made for all the shirts next year.

I can't believe that people are against the club helping a charity that helps people who have been seriously injured while fighting for this country, and also a local regiment as well.

Gentlemen, you could not be more wrong. And I type this with a smile.

The Shirts cost more than you think, I know this as I've just had the 1 MERCIAN RL kit produced, and bespoke replicas (Name and Number) ... (available at a later date). They are being sold at £41 with a £5 donation being made to the Royal British Legion for each sale. We (the Battalion) are making ... ZIP ... nil ... nada ... profit on each shirt. I know that the Warrington Shirts are a better quality than ours ... as I've got one of the new Warrington ones here with me now

If you would rather give £45 straight to the charity then I applaud you ... however, In all probability ('bit of a sweeping statement I know) you wouldn't. By Buyng the new Warrington shirt you're supporting your club, Help for Heroes and the Mercian Regiment Benevolent Charity (There's your 'local' charity bit) ... AND you get a great shirt into the bargain!

The cynical marketing comment left a bitter taste. The Club and in particular Dave Hutchinson and Andy Topham have been incredibly supportive to our injured soldiers and bereaved families behind the scenes. They wanted to put this event on to publicly show thair support AND raise some money at the same time.

Watch this space for more details on the Castleford game ... theres much more to come .. and none of it has been done cynicaly.

Yours

From a very hot Lashkar Gah ... honestly!

A Mercian

This year it was supposed to be the away kits turn to find it's way into my wardrobe, but the similarity with Man U away kit put me off. The apparent quality issues then put me off the home kit too so I was happy to go a season without a new shirt (more than enough older ones to keep me going).

When I saw the new shirt I was instantly a fan and went out and bought one today. Love the design, the idea and the quality is great. I'll be wearing mine with pride at the pie dome and then in Tenerife next week. Actually I quite like the idea of using a similar 'camo' design for next seasons away kit.

If people are so concerned about their local charities 'missing out' I'm sure the various charities would be very happy to take any old tops to 'recycle' through their shops.

Fair do's Mercian. I'm surprised the kits cost so much to produce but if they do then I stand corrected.

Hey no problem www.squadbuilder.co.uk:1883.jpg