Everton drop Chang on Junior Kits
Everton have launched their new kit for the 2008/09 campaign, but they have implemented a few changes to the junior edition of the shirts. Everton have decided to remove their shirt sponsors’ logo, Chang, from the junior shirts, due to the company being an alcoholic drink producer. This was recommended by the Portman Group which seeks to achieve social responsibility in the alcoholic drink production sector. Having the logo on the junior kits may directly promote alcoholic drinks with the younger generations, which is illegal. With this move, social responsibility is entered into the equation and Chang beer is only promoted to adult supporters of Everton FC.
“As a Premier League football club we are all too aware of our social responsibility, especially towards our younger supporters, and we are only too pleased to adopt this policy for the new season.” - Everton CEO, Keith Wyness
“Everton is leading the way by becoming the first English club to remove alcohol branding from all children’s replica sports shirts. No drinks company would deliberately set out to target children, it’s an unwanted side-effect of sports sponsorship. Hopefully, fans will appreciate why the industry does not want children to be viewed as walking billboards for their drinks.” - Portman Group CEO, David Poley
“As a High Street family sports retailer, JJB support Everton’s decision to adopt this policy for the forthcoming season” - Sports Marketing Manager of JJB (official retail partners of Everton), Neil Ryan
“We recognise that under age drinking is an issue in the UK and as a company we are firmly committed to taking an active and responsible role in society. Chang Beer is fully supportive of this initiative.” - President of Chang Brewing company, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi
In Oz, EVERYTHING is sponsored by alcohol companies - from the friday night rugby matches to the Test cricket team.
I reckon sport here would go belly up without it.
this is not saying removing alcohol companies from sport…just from children’s kits. think u’d agree that the body of a 10 yr old is not as capable as yours to break down the alcohol
Makes sense I supppose, Celtic have already done the same thing.
does that mean liverpool have to do it then CARLSBERG is amazing sponsor
I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, whilst my team arn’t sponsored by an alcoholic beverage, my children would rather have Chung, Carlsberg, Carling, etc on their shirts because that’s what the players have on their shirts.
I don’t think most young children know what these brands are, and by the time they are 13 etc, they are into adult size shirts anyway. Surely its the teenagers who are the ones they want to stop drinking.
Additionally how long will it be before another company sponsor the junior shirts, or am I being synnical?
No, D King - you’re being cynical.
lfc****wit, how are Carlsberg an “amazing sponsor”? That’s a horrible beer, I’d rather drink a tin of your old sponsors stuff - Crown Paints!
I’d prefer it if all shirts were available without a sponsor - I like some of my teams shirts but I don’t buy them because I don’t want to become a human advertisement for a company I don’t care for.
well said tim …
kopites r gobsh*tes
I am disappointed that everton have dropped chang from the junior shirts, I think that most juniors like to look the same as the actual players and without it, it doesnt look anything like that, also I think Everton will lose a lot of business for that reason.
Lets think about this in a logical way, there are arguments for both sides here. I thought replica meant an exact copy of an original? on that theory kids may aswell get the new shirts from the local market stalls. On the otherhand if its considered that alcohol is not a responsible image to be showing then why dont these clubs set to take on sponsorship from companies that are not going to cause this type of issue. I know some of you will say there arent any and be pandantic by nit picking at every brand, but the theme here seems to be not to encourage alcohol. Now we all know that this is never gonna happen across the board because alcoholic brands give too much money. Basically, If you have kids then surely the way in which you raise them is gonna have more affect on whether they are encouraged to drink or not at an early age or not.