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Blackpool criticised by fans over club’s choice for front of shirt sponsor on new home kit

Blackpool have been criticised by their fans over the club’s choice for the front of shirt sponsor on the new home kit for 2023/24.

The recently relegated Tangerines has signed a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with LeoVegas Group, but many of its supporters want to buy the shirt without the sponsor on it.

As the club’s new Principal Partner, LeoVegas will see its logo featured not only across the Bloomfield Road Stadium, but also on the front of all 23/24 first-team kits.

It will celebrate a century-worth of Blackpool FC games under its trademark tangerine colour.

BLACKPOOL STATEMENT:

Blackpool Football Club is delighted to confirm LeoVegas as a new Principal Partner on a multi-year deal.

The partnership will see LeoVegas’ branding feature prominently on the front of all 2023/24 first-team and replica adult shirts as the Club’s new front of shirt sponsor. The junior replica shirts will proudly display Utilita once again.

The new strip has been uniquely crafted by PUMA to celebrate the Seasiders’ 100th year of playing in tangerine – the iconic colour now synonymous with Blackpool FC – with a white trim across the neck to complete the design.

Set to be worn by the first-team in the pre-season opener at Southport on Friday evening, the home kit will go on sale in-store and online from 10am tomorrow (Thursday).

LeoVegas Group, part of MGM Resorts International, is an online casino and sports betting company, that takes pride in creating the world’s greatest igaming experience. The company offers a wide variety of products such as table games, video slots, progressive jackpots, video poker and live betting in a number of international markets.

An industry leader since its founding in 2012, LeoVegas Group also added sports betting to its catalogue in 2016.

Blackpool Football Club’s Chief Operating Officer, Jonty Castle said:

“We are thrilled to welcome LeoVegas on board as a new Principal Partner ahead of the upcoming season.

“To be associated with LeoVegas – a globally recognised brand – on the front of all first-team and replica adult shirts is an exciting opportunity for the Club, and provides the potential for greater international exposure.

LeoVegas’ Director of UK and Sponsorship, Sam Behar said:

“We are delighted to announce this sponsorship with ‘The Seasiders’ for the upcoming season.

“Partnering with a club like Blackpool that has such a long-standing history in the game presents a fantastic opportunity for LeoVegas Group to promote the greatest igaming experience across the United Kingdom.

“The club and the Group share common values and a desire to grow, and we can’t wait for the season to get underway.”

SEE MORE: Preston fans belt out anti-Leeds and Blackpool chants in Benidorm amid pre-season in Spain

As mentioned, Blackpool were criticised by fans over the club’s choice for front of shirt sponsor on the new home kit…

@tangerinemonk: The shirt is nice, the sponsor is so out of touch for a town with the high level of poverty we have. 🙄

@csbol01: For a community focused club to advertise gambling, which is one of the big issues facing our struggling town, beggars belief. How does this sit with @BFCCT_ efforts for our community? What about the efforts of @GambleAware re shirt sponsors? Appalling decision.

@TJohnson93: Absolutely tone deaf. Insensitive language of being “thrilled” and “delighted” to have LeoVegas on the front of our shirt. If you’re going to take the biggest payday on shirt sponsors, I don’t mind that, but don’t pretend to be falling off your chairs with happiness about it

@chris_lomas14: nice shirt, bad sponsor. 100 years of tangerine and 100 points in the league, can’t wait

@Robert_P_Curtis: While I like the plainness of the shirt, I cannot in all good conscience buy a shirt with a gambling sponsor on it. Gambling is as addictive as smoking and drinking, and is one of the biggest causes of male suicide. Yes, I like a flutter, but some need a flutter. Just my opinion

@joe_russ: Gambling sponsor on our shirt is a terrible decision from the club 🤦🏻‍♂️

@BoxingKW1988: Will this shirt be available without the sponsor on it?

@Chrisharrison2: Can I have a kids shirt in adult size or even better one with no sponsor

@jgribbon: Are we that desperate to have a betting logo on our shirt hope I can get hold of the retro shirt because I am not getting that on my chest

@TonyFretwell: One press release refers to saving money in the current financial climate. The other refers to a chance to gamble it away! Absolute shocker here from the club. Embarrassing

@MozzMeister: Real opportunity lost by the club to have done something special here! Instead, the shirt looks like a t-shirt and then to celebrate, we stick a gambling sponsor on it 🤣🤣

@andy_barlow93: In no rush to buy that! 100th year kit has been shat on imo

@EthanCreighton: People will vote with their wallets on this one. The most basic design you could think of and a terrible sponsor. Very easy to not buy this.

@alcibiadesisace: Incredibly disappointed to see this sponsorship decision. You need to take your responsibilities more seriously.

@DaveHol37999306: Would be happy to get one without the sponsor on it !!!!

@TangerineRob: Very bland. Sponsor not the best. Tough act to follow on from the 22/23 shirts.

@SeasidersTango: Online gambling? We’ve sold our soul

@jameslee1000: Really poor this. To go from ‘Get Vocal’ about mental health one year, to accepting money from gambling companies the next, is just bad. Would have really liked us to be better than this.

@CurryInTurry: I will boycott buying any merchandise with a betting company on the front!

@philwalk1954: Very disappointed that we have gone gown the gambling road with the shirt sponsor. I thought we had more class than that. Other than that the shirt is well meh.

@AndyKingHerod: Lovely shirt. But…. Bin the sponsor. Gambling ruins lives.

@CoachCook71: Won’t be purchasing this one Sadly, Gambling ruins lives and families 😔

@johnsonbfc23: Very plain and boring. Not to mention a bad partnership. Helping those who target the vulnerable. Certainly won’t be buying anything with their logo on. Disgusted.

@calwilkie__: Use me as a dislike button cause this kit is horrific

@OxfordSeasider: The most tone deaf football club going. Sake.

@olliecmusic: Piss poor move, 100 years in tangerine and you whack a gambling sponsor on the front.

@Thereisalad: Really disappointing to go from community sponsors to a betting company

@richiec19701: I’m not a fan of having a gambling firm as a shirt sponsor. I know its not just BFC but footballs relationship with gambling stinks.

@Factory051: Wow. this has made me angry.

@AMolodynski: Sad that my beloved club has signed up with an industry that contributes to death by suicide. Ironic after recent collaboration on local mental health. Please do not buy these kits and wear retro ones instead

@jamez_Marshall: Do the non gambling shirt come in adult size because that sponsor is disgusting

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