Castore, the British sportswear brand, has recently made a significant entry into the world of football by sponsoring several club teams. The brand has been gaining attention for its innovative and high-quality sportswear, which has caught the eye of many football clubs, both in the UK and abroad.
Founded in 2015 by two brothers, the company got their first major sponsorship in 2019 when it became the official kit partner of tennis player Andy Murray.
In 2020, Castore forayed into the world of football and announced a multi-year partnership with Scottish giants Rangers FC, becoming the official kit supplier for the team. The deal was the biggest in Rangers’ history and included the production of all first-team and academy kits, training wear, and leisurewear.
The Castore-Rangers partnership proved to be a significant success, with the team securing the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 season, their first in ten years.
Following the success of the Rangers partnership, Castore went on to secure deals with other football clubs. The current roster includes teams from eight different countries and comprises teams like Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit, Salford City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Castore’s success in the football world is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation. The brand’s sportswear is designed with performance in mind, using advanced materials and technology to help athletes perform at their best.
Feyenoord (Dutch), Athletic Club (Spain) and Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) are among those who will be supplied by the English company from next season onwards.
Joining these clubs is another prominent club in English football – Preston North End.
PNE, currently playing in Championship, the second tier of the English footballing pyramid, is a club basked in footballing heritage. The 143-year-old club was a founder member of the Football League back in 1888 and enjoys a good standing in the country’s sports culture.
Castore securing this partnership marks a positive development for the company, which will take over from Nike, PNE’s kit supplier since the 2013-14 season.
Lately, the Nike kits were coming in for criticism from some quarters of the club’s supporters for being too template-based and lacking originality.
A move away from them to Castore will surely delight fans.
The move also marks a first for Castore, as PNE becomes the first Championship team to be dressed by them.
Pascal Lafitte, Director of Partnerships at Castore, said about the partnership:
We are thrilled with announcing Preston North End as a partner today and making our move into the Championship for the first time. Preston have a great history and we look forward to presenting our amazing kit designs to their fans this Summer – as well as further strengthening Castore’s presence within football in the UK.
Peter Ridsdale, a director at the club and an advisor to the owners, said:
We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with Castore, who are one of the fastest-growing sportswear brands in the market.
We look forward to working with Castore throughout this partnership and we are excited to reveal our bespoke kits for the 2023/24 season in the coming months, which we feel will prove extremely popular with supporters.
The partnership is a multi-year deal with Castore providing bespoke kits for the club starting next season onwards. They will also be in charge of retail operations at the club, along with a new-look store and an online retail site.
It is a move that suits both parties and while there is initial jubilation with respect to moving away from Nike, the real verdict from fans will only come when the first kits are released.