West Brom fans react to new kit: "It's stripes, but not as we know it"

The iconic wider blue and white stripes have been ditched for a predominantly white shirt with a blue pin stripe.

Many fans in the town today said they would not be forking out for the new shirt which will set supports back £44.99 for adults and £39.99 for juniors and infants.

Albion fan, Adam Pressdee, 32 from Birmingham, said: "It's a bit of a change from the old kit and a break from tradition.

"It's not what most fans want and a lot really don't like it."

Craig Fletcher, 22, from Tipton said: "It's nice and smart, but it's obviously not the kit that people recognise.

"When you see the blue and white stripes of the old kit you think of Albion, I don't think this does that.

"If I saw that I wouldn't know it was an Albion kit. It's taking away their identity."

Fellow Baggies supporter Martin Lewicka, 30, from Tipton, said: "It's nice I think it looks really smart. It was about time the kit changed and made more modern. I think it's good for the club."

David Lane, 26, from Oldbury, said; "It's rubbish. Why have they got rid of the blue and white, it's what it's been for years. I won't be buying the new kit. The club just don't care about what the fans think, but it's our team."

But opinions were split even in families. Della Aston, 54, from West Bromwich, said: "It doesn't look like a Baggies kit, it looks more like a replica England kit with an Albion badge on it. I don't like it at all, not one bit."

Her daughter Charlene Aston, 27, said: "I really like it looks really smart. I think younger fans will really like it and it will go with a lot more outfits if you wanted to wear it on a daily basis."

Simon Bennett, 37, said: "I like it, it makes a nice change. People are really upset with it but it's the same people that always moan about the old kit never changing."

Fans who sent comments to the Express & Star were also unconvinced.

Loyal Baggie said: "Absolutely terrible they have destroyed a tradition with this. I have had a home kit every season since I started watching the albion but I most certainly will not be getting this one. Stripes will always be albion for me!"

Medway Baggie added: "To use a Star Trek phrase… It's stripes Jim, but not as we know it."

Warren had a mixed reaction, saying: "It's actually quite a nice shirt, but it's not an Albion shirt and it surely only serves the interests of Adidas, who are rich enough to cope with a few less Albion supporters buying it as long as it banks them some wider publicity.

If anybody at Albion had any say in this design then it's utter stupidity.

I did, momentarily, contemplate the idea of buying it, going to a textile shop and having some blue stripes added.",

Even Wolves fans were moved to comment.

Paulo said: "This shirt doesn't represent Albion, or anything else. No football fan anywhere will recognise this as an Albion strip. It takes away your identity on the pitch, and that is the most