Umbro has announced a partnership with Hackney-based football team Whippets FC. Founded in 2018, Whippets FC is a women’s and non-binary creative collective that has become a key player in the UK’s grassroots women’s football movement.
Inspired by football jerseys of the 80s and 90s, the collection is a nod to the striking colours and prints of the era. The collection consists of two football jerseys in black and bright pink with matching shorts and pro socks, all decorated with the Umbro and Whippets FC logo.
Shop the Umbro Collection here.
The footballers of Whippets FC are more than your average-Joes meeting up once a week to let off some steam and have a pint in the local. For one, their team consists of a very established group of creatives including visual artist Rose Pilkington, The XX’s Romy Madley Croft, creative director Sarah-Jayne Todd, artist-designer Coco Capitan, musician Hannah Thurlow and many other talented creatives that grace the studios of London.
“Whippets FC started off as a group of women who didn’t have the opportunity to play football due to the lack of opportunities. Over the last six years, both the team and the women’s game have grown beyond anything we could have imagined, and we’re proud to feel that we have been part of that in some small way.”
– SJ Todd, Whippets founder.
The team represent the LGBTQIA + community and stand up for inclusivity, pride and creating a safe space for their players/community. They have a strong following and get a lot of love from some of the former and current Lionesses.
The Umbro x Whippets FC kits are designed by London-based designer Sophie Hird, whose creative portfolio includes her work on up-cycling sportswear through the numerous collaborations she has worked on, including ‘Make New’, an Umbro upcycling project in 2023.
Her 2019 graduate collection prides itself in being completely up cycled from football jerseys and her work continues to explore sportswear and sustainability in new contexts.
“The inspiration for the jersey design was led by looking through football kit archives from the 80s and 90s. I love how loud some of the retro jerseys are in terms of colour and print, so really wanted to play with this yet maintain a wearable element."
"The design we chose in the end feels very classic and a piece I hope players will want to wear on-and-off the pitch.”
– Sophie Hird, Designer.
The Whippets FC partnership highlights Umbro’s continued efforts in supporting grassroots football teams, as well their professional counterparts. Daniel Richmond, Head of Marketing, GLD Group and Umbro UK spokesperson said,
“We are extremely proud to partner with Whippets FC on this range of football kits. By enhancing our commitment that sport should be for all, the partnership highlights our shared aim of creating a safe space for players and celebrates inclusivity within sport.”
Whippets Founder SJ Todd comments, ‘We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic British brand, and with our very own Sophie Hird lending her brilliant design expertise to the kits, it has made this partnership with Umbro even more special. The result is a shirt that we’re all proud to wear, and one that looks just as good off the pitch as on it.
The Umbro x Whippets FC football kits are available now and are available to purchase on umbro.co.uk.
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