Bristol Rovers and Ian Holloway show an incredible touch of class with the League One club’s new away kit including braille.
In the video, Ian Holloway says: “Bristol Rovers supporters have experienced some memorable moments in recent years, but we haven’t all experienced them in the same way.
“Some of us would have had to enjoy them through our different senses because of the limitations of another.
“Hearing the crowd erupt with joy, seeing that free kick bend into the top corner. No fan should ever feel isolated. Football is for everyone.
“Bristol Rovers away shirt. This season celebrates this by featuring Braille, which reads football brings us all together.
“Three of my four children are profoundly deaf and use British Sign Language and lip reading to communicate. So I speak for them and all of the football community when I say.”
Our 2023/24 away shirt has arrived.#FootballBringsUsAllTogether. pic.twitter.com/TAZKEQivQL
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) August 4, 2023
STATEMENT
Two projects at the heart of Bristol Rovers are set to benefit from the new Utilita Giving logo on the front of our 2023/24 away shirt.
Utilita, who have been front-of-shirt partner since the 19/20 season, are this year including their charity partner in the deal.
Not only will the logo feature on the front of the away kit, but Utilita Giving will donate £2 of every away shirt sale to North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank and Operation Christmas Hamper.
With the shirt going on sale in the store and online today at 12pm, the club will be looking to exceed record sales of its away kit that were seen last season and raise as much as possible for the two great partners.
Utilita Giving will support individuals, families and households who are experiencing fuel and food poverty across England, Scotland and Wales, and who meet the charity’s purpose and eligibility criteria.
The charity will also assist groups and organisations whose intentions match that of Utilita Giving, helping people in fuel and food poverty.
The club’s Head of Sales, David Bright said “When we were asked about using the Utilita Giving logo on our away kit, it wasn’t something we had to think about, it was a quick reply of yes.”
“It was a wonderful feeling to be able to phone the ladies at the heart of both these projects and deliver the news that we could support them in this way. Moments like this show the depth that partners of football clubs go to, to support local people, and we thank Utilita Giving for that.”
Rovers have a long-standing partnership with the North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank and have collected for them at match days on a yearly basis, with fans and players giving their support on the day.
Operation Christmas Hamper is the brainchild of Rovers fan Charlotte Churchill and has grown so quickly, that last year the club handed over the Thatchers and Bristol bars to her and her volunteers, for a whole weekend to sort and package hampers.
Charlotte said, “I was absolutely delighted to initially receive the call from David Bright at BRFC explaining about Utilita giving. This was quickly followed up with an online meeting with Utilita giving and I was blown away by the generosity that was coming the way of Operation Christmas Hamper.”
“I can’t tell you what a difference this will make. Last year was hugely successful but with this sort of backing I hope we can support double the amount of families we did last year.”
“I am so grateful.”
The club CEO, Tom Gorringe said “I’ve worked with Jem and the team at Utilita for a number of years now, and the partnership with them has always focussed on community engagement away from just the match days. We’ve seen them support events and causes across the previous 4 years with us, and I was really pleased to hear about this year, especially with the current cost of living crisis that we are all going through.”
Keira Meadus from Utilita Giving said: “Our partnership with Bristol Rovers is one that has flourished since day one and although it didn’t come as a surprise, we are absolutely delighted the club have agreed to support Utilita Giving in such an incredible way.
“The club are helping the charity reach some of the most vulnerable people in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
“North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank and Operation Christmas Hamper are two initiatives that share very similar goals with Utilita Giving.
“It will be an absolute pleasure to donate a significant sum to both of them, and this will be all thanks to the club and the fans.”
The club will provide updates throughout the season on the number of away shirts sold, and share further stories on how this money will help both parties in their 2023/24 plans.
This is how Twitter users reacted as Bristol Rovers and Ian Holloway show a touch of class with the new away kit including braille…
@JimTheWanderer1: Beauty and an amazing concept 👏👏👏
@danjarvis91: Absolutely class this. My Dad’s a blind supporter, albeit a Saints fan but football is everything to him. Well done to all involved, cracking gesture. Best of luck for the new season! ☺️👏
@MaxAlder16: Wow, lovely video and message. Tidy kit too.
@OliverW67143851: Being a disabled fan who for long time couldn’t get to watch rovers due to limitations and coming back this season this really hits home absolutely amazing.
@dazzamac73: That’s a lovely video!
@Jakeygraupner: This has brought me to tears on many levels. @IanOllie7 using BSL, the Braille on the away shirts, the very look of these shirts. My wife taught his three deaf girls at Elmfield, this brings her into the equation. I love my club. I LOVE my club. UTG 💙⚽️
@mathwivs: As a Bristol City fan hats off to Rovers. Brilliant. Class
@KellyMountford3: What a great way to show that the club promote diversity and inclusion in the football industry. Well done @Official_BRFC
@price_of_cider: Every now and again a club does something that goes beyond the every day banter and rivalry that we are so used to. As a die hard Bristol City fan can I just say this is absolute class from your club. Genuinely moved me. ♥️
@Bluedog1883: Blimey we’ve outdone ourselves with this reveal, honestly top class in every way 👍👏👏👏
@0contextrovers: That’s absolutely class 👏
@jamie_pfc: Pompey fan here – that’s a stunner. Hope to see your lot in that tomorrow. Class message aswell 🤝
@Jordan_BRFC: Proper badge lay out and it’s a 10/10
@Kpz2005: Wow what a video and message absolutely love this. 💙💙💙
@AdrianoDeGenna1: Having a disabled son this gives me tears. Brilliant Rovers
@UpTheGas2023: Really like the simplicity to this shirt, the message of supporting those with sensory deprevations at football makes the grey feel very poignant
@CufcLauren04: This is an incredible shirt and has true meaning
@BurgerSight: As a partially sighted football fan this is truly amazing!! In days of football transfers of £100 million signings it’s great a team has taken time for what truly maters The fans 👏👏
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