Bristol City have confirmed that their away kit for 2023/24 won’t be ready in time for the start of the new season, with the club also addressing concerns around the controversial “Flying Robin” logo.
City ended their relationship with manufacturer Hummel at the end of February due to issues around their UK licensee, Elite Sports Group, and immediately pivoted to Irish sportswear brand O’Neills in time for the Championship fixture against Hull City.
The red and white pinstripe home kit and yellow and green third kit plus goalkeeper jerseys, which City played in for their final 15 matches of last season, will remain for this term but fans had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of an away version.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, the club - who held a meeting with the Supporters' Club & Trust last week to discuss some of the issues - have revealed it's around a month away from being ready.
"The away kit is in production with O’Neills and is due to be delivered by the beginning of September," a statement read. "We understand fans are keen to see and purchase the away kit so we are working hard with O’Neills to have it available in store and online as soon as possible."
The Robins are at home for their first two games of the forthcoming campaign, against Preston North End and Oxford United, before travelling to Millwall who play in navy blue, so there will be no obvious clash. Nor will subsequent trips to Hull, Swansea City and Leicester City with the game at Rotherham United on October 4 being the first away fixture of obvious issue.
That is caveated by the prospect of beating Oxford in the League Cup and then drawing a team that could clash in the second round at the end of August.
Supporter frustration, however, has been fundamentally reserved to two main aspects of the home and alternate shirts: the size of the collar and the "Flying Robin" motif.
That logo appeared on the front left-hand side, in place of the club crest, and fans have feared, just four years after that badge came into being - ending the use of the coat of arms - City were forcing through another change as the “Flying Robin” has also appeared on the chest of some training and leisure wear.
Some have also been quick to point out the design, which also forms part of a mural inside the Robins High Performance Centre, bears a striking resemblance to a photograph of the bird found through a cursory Google Image search.
The club insist, though, that this is simply a "design element" and the away kit will bear the club crest in its traditional position.
"You will see that a flying Robin appears on the alternate shirt and some training wear," the statement added. "Please be assured that this motif is not replacing the club crest and is purely a design element. The away shirt will have the club crest positioned as per the home shirt.
"We do recognise that the club’s kit is an important part of supporting Bristol City and we will take on board opinions."
In addressing apparent issues around collar sizing, City have pledged to refund any supporters not happy with this particular aspect should they return their shirt.
"We are aware of an issue around the collar sizing on a small batch of 2023/24 home shirts," City added. "In some instances the collar opening was too large. Should you feel you have bought an affected shirt please come into the Ashton Gate Store and our retail staff will be able to confirm if your shirt is affected and offer a replacement.
"The club will provide further updates when appropriate and we thank you for your patience and understanding."
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