Wycombe Wanderers’ new goalkeeper kits are certainly eye-catching, but there is a method to the madness.
Before you scroll down to the image of Wycombe Wanderers’ new jerseys for the forthcoming season, have a read of Susie Robertson’s introduction. The UK Sales Manager with O’Neills gave a description that should adequately prepare your eyes for what’s coming next.
“When O’Neills got a remit for the new 2017 keeper kit along the lines of ‘something psychedelic that will draw the eye of the opposition’, our designers were in seventh heaven! It has been great working Barry and the rest of the team on this and we’re delighted that the club are happy with the resulting design; we hope the supporters, and oncoming opposition, are suitably dazzled by it.”
So here’s what they came up with.
The new @ONeills1918 keeper kits for the 2017/18 season!
Modelled by no.1 @Scotty_brown85. Sponsored by @BeechdeanGroup & @UtilitaFootball. pic.twitter.com/tHNmMA92FP
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 6, 2017
“The fluorescent yellow keeper kit carries an unmissable multi-coloured kaleidoscope pattern on the front, which resembles a target to aim for – rather than the goal itself – and catches the eye with its disruptive magic-eye effect.”
While both shirts may look like they were designed to be gaudy for the sake of being gaudy, Wanderers coach Barry Richardson assured everyone that they’re not just fashion statements. As he explained in the press release, they are the products of science.
“There’s been a lot of research into the science behind goalkeeper kits, which is why you see a lot of luminous colours and chevron patterns which enlarge the presence of the keeper in the goal.
“We’ve developed that idea over the past couple of years, with a bright lime and green design last year, and have enjoyed working with O’Neills to come up with these designs which we hope will be effective on the pitch and also be popular for fans who’d like to buy the replica versions.”
Effective and popular, that’s a big ask for such bold designs. Time will tell whether these kits check both boxes.
