Some Carlisle United fans queued for nearly three hours to be the first to get their hands on the Blues’ new kit.
United’s 2024/25 designs went on sale in the Blues Store to season-ticket holders from 12pm on Wednesday.
A queue had formed well in advance of the midday opening.
The first person in the queue, lifelong fan Stephen Dunn, was there from 9.15am – before images of the kits had even been revealed to supporters.
Queuing outside the Blues Store ahead of the 12pm opening as season ticket holders get the first chance to buy Carlisle United's new kits #cufc @newsandstar pic.twitter.com/jTNV4ytsC1
— Jon Colman (@joncolman) June 26, 2024
He described waiting for the shop’s doors to open as like “being outside Willy Wonka’s shop” – and was first into the store to make a beeline for the new home kit, which is a 50th anniversary homage to the strip the team wore in its famous 1974/75 top-flight season.
“I absolutely love the new kit,” Stephen told the News & Star.
“What really is ace for me is that 50 years ago was my first season coming to Brunton Park, and this was the kit they were wearing then.
“I think the gold fox at the top is a really nice touch, and the toothpaste strip really resonates – it’s a classic.
“We’re also going into a totally new era, but we’re not forgetting the past.
“I also like the little nod with the goalie shirt being yellow, like the away shirt in 74/75.
“It’s nice to hold onto your history like this, as is happening with the Tullie Exhibition that’s coming up.
“It feels like the whole city is coming together. I’ve been coming for 50 seasons and this is the best I’ve known with the support – families and kids coming back, the away support phenomenal.
“Psychologically, you always associate the season with the kit, so let’s hope it’s going to be ace.”
Stephen also declared himself a fan of the away strip which, like last season, is another multi-coloured offering.
This time United’s change colours will be mint green, pink and blue.
“It’s all your vitamins right there!” Stephen said. “They’re fun colours again, and I think that will resonate with the kids too.
“It’s nice to have a funky shirt. I feel sorry for those clubs who have to have one colour the same all the time – we can play with ours. I’m very impressed. I like what we’ve done.”
The Blues Store was busy all afternoon as fans got a first close-up look at the new shirts, with the home yellow and away grey and pink goalkeeping tops also on sale.
“I was here at 9.15am,” added Stephen. “On the way down, I was even saying to myself, ‘What are you doing?’ but I felt I’d rather be queueing at that end than coming later on and be queuing two hours when the store was open. That was my logic, anyway…
“Plus, it’s a nice place to sit outside. It’s quite nice just to loiter around the ground!
“I’m proud as punch [to be the first one]. I’ll be able to say I was first in the queue, I love it!”
The Blues Store remained busy throughout the afternoon with more queues later in the day, while summer signings Aaron Hayden and Ethan Robson were at the shop from 4pm to meet fans - along with mascot Olga.
United's main shirt sponsor, Aqua Pura, were also on hand during the day with bottled water for queuing supporters.
The kits go on general sale from Thursday at 10am.
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