Macron Kit Manufacturer Officially Confirmed

Villa have announced on www.avfc.co.uk a record deal with Italian kit manufacturer Macron.

Villa explain:

Aston Villa are pleased to announce our record new partnership with Macron, Italy's premier technical sportswear label and our official kit manufacturer for the start of the 2012-13 season. Combining qualities and skills associated internationally with Italian sartorial elegance, Macron has established a strong international profile and a proven commitment to the technical excellence of its product and service since its launch in 1971. Reliability and determination - core values of Macron - are integral to its success in the conception, design, prototyping and distribution of technical apparel for sports teams from North America to the Middle East, Champions League clubs and national associations."

Villa are seen as Macron`s flagship club in the PL

In creating the new kit, the club have worked closely with Macron whose focussed development in design and materials is evident in its partnerships with clubs from La Liga, Serie A, Holland's Eredivisie and Portugal's Liga Sagres. The new home kit will be launched in mid-June at Villa Park and will go on sale immediately. A full range of apparel and accessories will be available from early July, distribution of which will be managed by the Club's merchandising department. The away kit will also be available in July."

Quotes from Villa and Macron: www.avfc.co.uk

Meanwhile Merchandising manager John Greenfield told www.avfc.co.uk

'We are now finalising designs for the new kit - home, away and goalkeeper. We certainly won't be going away from the traditions of the home shirt. Villa and Macron are well aware of our history and traditions. I think our fans will be thrilled with the home kit. We have obviously held meetings with fans about what they wanted - and they have most-certainly got what they asked for, in my opinion. With the away kit, it will be exciting for the club and supporters. There's an ever-changing market and we have to be mindful of our fans but also of trends and fashions. The home and away kit will be launched on the weekend of June 16. It will be a special day and we will be working with our marketing team on a special event.'

He continues:

'We went through 10 or 12 kit suppliers and did a lot of background work on each individual company and what pluses they could bring to Aston Villa.!

'As time went on, we made contact with an Italian brand that we had seen on our TV screens via the likes of Napoli and, in fact, some British clubs. They presented a very good business case. We went over to Italy and we were so impressed with the set-up and the fact they repeatedly said to us that they were looking for a flagship Premier League team to be their jewel in the crown."

The range is set to expand from around 25 to over 100.

"That's everything dual branded - Villa and Macron - real bespoke claret and blue products, from footballs to shinguards, wristbands to captain armbands, everything really."

'These will be exclusive to Villa. These are finer details we've never had before. It's an exciting new venture because this is going to be exclusive to Aston Villa.'

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