New Strip - its true

First day of the 2008 season - here the Stallions are in their new, shiny strip (Damn, its only Nick, Paddy and I left). This strip has seen us well - promoted from Div 7 to Div 4, attracted many fans, and struck green and gold fear into opponents from Wainui to Island Bay. Over the last (shit!) seven years, the strip has shown its age - especially on those wet, muddy days when it feels like a sail. Tomorrow, it gets retired (or becomes a second strip).

Yes, the new strip has arrived.

We will save the reveal for tomorrow. Expect a more simple and clean design (arguably a little too clean!), a return to the look of the original Stallions strip, custom numbers, a new (and non-alcoholic) sponsor across the front, new strip manufacturer, and yes, a good fit (sorry Bakkie, you get the XL you ordered last season, not the L you say you need now). Well, we hope for a good fit - the twilight boys will recall the really 'snug' fit strips we got last season. Only Rauru has tried one on.

So, we clearly need another pre game team photograph before these strips hit the mud of Anderson Park - so lets try to get there 5 minutes earlier than normal, and someone bring a camera. Who knows - in 7 years when we get the new 'geriatric' strip we can put that photo on the blog in place of this one.

God, look at that team - losers - no wonder we were stuck in Div 7 for so long. Goodall, Robin, Hodges - ha!

And of course, lets not forget - bad things can happen when you do shit like this. This photograph was taken 5 minutes before the following:

http://unistallions.blogspot.co.nz/2008/04/and-ludlow-curse-strikes-again.html

So what colour strip do Masterton wear? Not pony pink like our new one? Bring normal black shorts/black socks.

We need us some Under Armour

Damn, imagine if the new Stallions strip had this technology

On the plus side, we will all be able to see just how much fitter and generally better than everyone else this season's Champions League winners are!

New strip?

 Right, so last season there was a bit of talk that the Stallions should rock a new strip this season. How we all feeling about this? If we are going to do it, we better get organised soon.

Of course the difference from last time is that we have no sponsor so would have to fork out, but if I remember right someone did some maths and it didn't work out that much (someone must know this crap right?) Now, there was also some talk last season of Graham sponsoring the team - any progression here G-Man? We would represent with style. The Welman Stallions?

Bigger questions - what should this strip look like? And no Jason it won't be red. Keep the green and gold? Go pirate and back to the original black? There is something pretty impressive sounding about 'the black stallions'.  The full pink pony strip?

So to the left a few picks from the worst strips ever selection from this site. Dunno, that bottom one is pretty good.

So a new strip for a new era?

The New Strip

Jamie has sent through pics of the new strip - so here it is. Umm, I know the pink headband is a key part of the team culture, but this may push things a little too far. A case of nice idea but poor execution? We will be laughed off the field. Am I allowed to ask if we still have the old strips? Yellow and Green has never looked so tasteful. It does have a certain retro, Miami-Vice thing happening. I wonder if the keeper's jersey is so, umm pink.

Update: After freaking out a little , I've done some research - and apparently pink is not so bad.
Here is a quote from The Time's article on the 50 greatest football strips talking about Palermo's pink strip - 'For sheer nerve. If you’re going wear pink - in Sicily - you’d better be ready to play hard.' Good article by the way - soccerlens.com/the-times-top-50-football-kits-of-all-time/3396/

Here's a connected Guardian article about pink in sport - which puts a new spin on our use of the pink headband - we are bad, bad men:

'She's got a point. Several male American gridiron teams have adopted the bizarre practice of dressing underperforming players in pink shirts as a punishment. One US soccer mag regularly gives a "pink card" to players it accuses of diving.

In both instances the meaning is clear. Pink is unmanly and dishonourable. Cowards, weaklings, cheats and, by foolish implication, homosexuals and women wear pink. Well that about wraps things up for pink.' Its a good article too - here

Don't know if I feel better or worse about the new strip ...