underboyleheating

We’ve always managed to fill the space, so I don’t see why this season should be any different from previous years.

So potentially we have no front of shirt sponsor for the start of the new season. However, I refuse to believe that won’t be resolved asap as our marketing team are usually on the ball with these things.

I wonder how much it costs to secure the front of shirt sponsorship on our tops?

A few shots on Alamy taken during season 83-84 (v Hibs and v Dundee) and the sponsor is not evident.

I noticed that, however, i would need to see some photographic evidence of it on a shirt during season 83-84 for it to be recorded as fact during this period. We have evidence of use during 82-83 but as yet none for the following season.

It was myself that supplied that date as a guide to Dave at Historical Kits, however, the November 82 McClair picture kicks that into touch. It will need to be revised when I have the exact start and finish date.

Sadly I don’t collect programmes but I’m sure there will also be some clues within ours as to the exact date that Scottish Brewers featured on our kit, and perhaps when the agreement ended. I have a recollection that the deal was short and sweet, but it would be good to know the exact dates for our historical kit records. This image of Brian McClair which featured on a March 83 cover and was clearly taken during a game v Rangers at Ibrox. The game against them was in November 82 and it asks the question whether Scottish Brewers ever featured on our top prior to that game.

I’m sure that’s a good reason as to its non appearance on any You Tube archive footage. So is there any historical/pictorial evidence as to when it was first worn on our shirts and when it last appeared on them? It would be good to clear this up for our online kit archive.

No clue of the game but the sponsor top is pictured here worn by Bobby Flavell

It would be good to get the facts on which games it was used as it seems to appear and disappear at will. The McClair programme cover image is an important clue as it was clearly worn during a Rangers away match prior to 83. A bit of a puzzle.

So no Brewers logo on the shirts during this 20 November 82 game, so why would it be on the shirts at the 4 November 82 game v Rangers?

I suspect the McClair image was taken at the March 83 game as the logo is not on the shirts in the January 83 match v Celtic. *Edit I’ve just realised that can’t be the case due to the date on that programme.

So the Clyde cup game may well have been Scottish Brewers first outing.

League game 15th January, 1983 v Celtic and no Scottish Brewers logo.

I’m not sure if the Scottish Brewers logo was on the shirts prior to that Clyde cup game, and it may have been it’s first ever appearance. It certainly wasn’t on the shirts during league matches as I can find no video/still images of us wearing it out with those cup games.

February 1983?

Sounds about right, Pat in his Clyde days. What was the dates of the Scottish Cup ties?

The date of the match would be important as it would give an accurate timeline to the brief sponsorship which I reckon was just for cup games.

Scottish Brewers. Anyone recognise the team we are playing here? I’m thinking it looks like Clyde.

Alcohol (Scottish Brewers our first shirt sponsor), Gambling industry (Jaxx, BetPark) and Pawnbroking (Cash Converters), are probably our four most contentious backers since it was introduced in Scotland. That’s not to say that their money wasn’t welcome, as without it we would have definitely been much worse off. For obvious reasons, Ian Skelly will always be our most iconic. All sponsorship is open to scrutiny by the fans as the sponsors are effectively being endorsed by the club we finance and support. However, I’m sure if you dig deep enough all our previous sponsors will have a few unwelcome skeletons in their closet.

It’s not only debt free clubs like Hibernian who do it. Stenhousemuir did it last season when they wore ‘Warriors in the Community’ on their shirts. The Stenhousemuir Supporters' Trust now hold the largest shareholding but profits are not paid to shareholders and directors receive no salaries. So it’s not always down to affordability, it’s about promoting what’s right for the club and the community at large.

Education awareness of how debt/alcohol/gambling can effect the community at large is very important, however, if a club are helping to promote one thing, but doing the opposite this maybe construed as double standards. The front of shirt sponsor at any club has always been the holy grail and far too many sell it to the highest bidder. Although I do understand that for cash strapped clubs the lure of easy money is hard to resist. The current sponsor trend leans very heavily towards the gambling industry, however, in times gone by it would have been alcohol or payday loan companies that ruled the roost. Industries that I’m sure that we can agree that can cause wider community health and debt issues. I see Hibernian have also given up their front of shirt to the Hibernian Community Foundation which has to be applauded, as I’m sure there would have been a gambling company waiting in the wings with a blank cheque.

Similar to Hearts ‘Save the Children’ involvement it would be great if we could promote a force for good by showcasing Suicide Awareness on the front of the shirt and try and stay clear of the more controversial sponsorship partners. Betting and payday loan companies have been shown to have a negative impact on some peoples lives and as a community club that is something that has never sat well with me.

Back of shirt sponsor confirmed. Any news on the all important front of shirt sponsor?

He was a good honest professional who knew his limitations. He gave me one of the best ever nights watching the Well when he netted that late winner. For that goal alone, I haven’t got a bad word to say about the man.