Shoddy Deal - Strange Timing

Oh joy, Aston Villa have extended their deal with Danish manufacturer Hummel to provide the kits for another two years.

Yes, Hummel. Surely the worst kit manufacturer in the league? Blimey, they couldn't even manufacture a shirt capable of keeping the sponsors sign on for more than two washes. Just a classic example of thinking small and getting small. The Aston Villa that the fans know and love should be attracting Adidas, Nike, Reebok and the like, not this tenth rate company. Shoddy deal, shoddy, shoddy, shoddy.

Hummel became our kit supplier in 2004 and the official site says their replica shirts have been popular with fans. Well, of course the shirts are popular, Villa have a massive fan base and fans love to buy their team colours. Comments on this forum aren't exactly endorsing this 'popular' shirt, in fact the one goes so far as saying 'Hummel went out with leg warmers'! Click here for full thread

Villa Sales Director Stuart Ryan told www.avfc.co.uk: 'Our original deal with Hummel was over a two-year term with an option for a further two years. Both ourselves and Hummel were keen to take up that option, extending the deal to 2008. Hummel are clearly delighted with the success of their association with us over the last two years and we're also extremely happy with the relationship. Both parties are confident we can build on that over the next two seasons.'

Right. Now here is a question. People say we can't buy players because of the takeover situation. I've said that is wrong and without a bid, Villa can do what they want. Anyway, if we can't buy players or even afford to keep a loan player (Eirik Bakke - returned to Leeds) then HOW can the board be doing deals for the kit to be used for the next two seasons? Does this mean the 'new' buyers will be stuck with Hummel or are there no new buyers expected?

Strange eh?

Operations Director Steve Stride also told the official site:

'Some people took the easy option last week, saying the announcement about the DWS deal meant we were a club in crisis, but that's clearly not the case. The extension of our deal with Hummel shows that a major commercial partner retains confidence in what we're trying to do here at Villa Park.'

I notice Doug isn't about to comment, has he now been sidelined? Lets hope. Still can't see why the current board are tying up such deals IF they are genuinely trying to attract new investors.