Deres get their kits on

Erith & Belvedere today offered supporters the chance to purchase replica home shirts for the coming Kent League campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.

The shirts are being manufactured as part of the batch being produced for the first team, so deadlines are understandably tight with the new campaign not far away.

Deres director Martin Tarrant explained to www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “That’s right Stephen, the season is creeping up on us so we only have a small window of opportunity to offer these shirts to the fans. That’s why we need all orders to be placed by the end of the month.

“We sold a number of shirts in a similar manner last season – though the idea seemed to slip by most people.

“Hopefully this season we’ll be seeing a few more Deres shirts being proudly worn by the fans on matchdays.”

Deres’ supporter Ben Dryland, former chairman of the Deres Independent Supporters Association (DISA), said: “I think it’s great that the club are involving the supporters and giving them a chance to show their support in other ways than simply turning up at games and buying a beer or two in the bar.

“Obviously, for a club or our size, filling up the club shop with replica shirts hoping they’ll all be sold, isn’t a risk worth taking – I think supporters of most if not all Kent League clubs can relate to that.

“I know that the club are selling the shirts with very little profit margin, in order to make them affordable to as many supporters as possible, so I hope they get the good response they deserve.

“This is the latest example of the football club and DISA working hand-in-hand – the club officials are taking care of sourcing the shirts while DISA are looking after the sales side in the form of the online shop.”

Ben also revealed to www.Kentishfootball.co.uk that the number of supporters actively involved with the Deres’ supporters organisation swelled by one this week.

He said: “I’m pleased to say that our latest signing is Iain Duff, who has agreed to assist me with various online projects the DISA boys have in the pipeline.

“We’ve always said that the effectiveness of DISA will always be limited by the numbers in the ranks, so it’s great news that Iain wants to join us.

“Hopefully his arrival will allow us to embark on more online projects such as the replica shirt sale we’re seeing now.”

The shirts are priced at just £32 and are available to pre-order at www.disa.org.uk.

They will be in the traditional Erith & Belvedere blue and white quarters, complete with the CHS Group (club sponsors) logo and of course, the club badge – which will be embroidered on.

Remember that deadline, the final day for ordering shirts is July 31st.

Visit Erith & Belvedere's website:  www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk