Luke keeps Saddlers players looking sharp
Saddlers players will be looking as sharp off the pitch as they have been on it – when a top home grown tailor creates their bespoke suits to mark the trip to Wembley Stadium.
High street fashion designer Luke Roper has joined forces with Walsall Football Club to fit the team ahead of their appearance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final on March 22 against Bristol City.
Details of the chosen style and colour are yet to be revealed, but the team will attend a fitting session next week with the Walsall-born tailor. It is the first time that his brand Luke 1977 will provide the official clothing for an entire football squad.
But he is a popular choice for some of the biggest names in sport, including Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor who wear his outfits.
He said: "It's fantastic that Walsall have made it to the home of football and will be playing on the hallowed Wembley turf.
"It will be a great day for the town and I think the streets will be empty as everyone will be in London.
"Whatever the result is, it will be an occasion to savour for all involved."
The match will see the football club play at the stadium for the first time in its 127-year history.
Saddlers boss Dean Smith says he is delighted that the designer, who has shops at Merry Hill shopping centre, in Brierley Hill, and at Bullring, in Birmingham, with kit the entire squad and management team.
He said: "We are over the moon. We could not have asked for a better brand to be supplying our suits. They are a globally renowned business but, more importantly to us, their roots are right here in Walsall.
"Luke Roper is the epitome of the old phrase 'local lad done good' and we are delighted that he has wanted to get involved in this project. It's a great gesture."
Luke, who grew up in Walsall Wood where he attended Shire Oak School, in Lichfield Road, co-founded the business about 12 years ago and has since see it grow from strength to strength.
His customers includes celebrities from the world and entertainment.
The 37-year-old studied fashion and textiles at Walsall College before sitting a degree at the renowned Central Saint Martin's University of the Arts London.
He said: "I was thrilled when The Saddlers made the final. I'm equally honoured to support the team by supplying suits for the big day. I'm sure it will be the start of an ongoing relationship with Walsall FC."
