Holyhead Town go viral after releasing vessel inspired shirt

Welsh Alliance League side Holyhead Town may be able to boast one of the best kits in Welsh football this season…

Featuring prominently on both their home and away strips this season is a vessel, synonymous to the Port of Holyhead, which handles more than two million passengers a year.

An apt kit for a club nicknamed ‘The Harbourmen’, a club which shows it’s proud of its roots.

It’s also a homage to Tommy Welsh, who passed away earlier this year. Welsh was prolific in North Wales, having scored 631 goals. 

He moved from Belfast to Holyhead in the 1950s, adopting to the local football in the area.

Welsh went on to become an honorary club president as the club reformed three seasons ago. A Northern Ireland flag with his name appears on the shirt, showing how highly regarded he was in the parts of Holyhead.

A club representative said: “We wanted to do something special to reflect his and many others journey from Ireland to Holyhead. 

“This is why there are many Irish descendants in this town.

“We hope this kit more than anything is a tribute to the great man himself. Harbourmens number 9.”

Their home strip follows their sky blue and white colour scheme, whilst their away strip is a Norwich City style Yellow and Green combination. The kit was manufactured by Teejac Sports, a North Wales based kit supplier which has been running for 14 years.

Holyhead Town have had requests from America to Italy in regards to ordering their new home strip.

“We obviously expected a lot of interest locally but to have Italians asking for copies of the kit has come as a surprise to us,” said a club rep.

“It’s been a great response from the players and public alike which is great for the club.

It has drawn comparisons with Serie A side SS Lazio’s 2018/19 kit, which featured their trademark eagle print on the front of the shirt. 

The comparisons have been made by Classic Football shirts, one of the world’s biggest collection of football shirts.

But Holyhead Town aren’t the only team to be inspired by Lazio’s kit. 

Indonesian side Persikoba Batu City have also adopted a similar colour scheme and idea for their away strip, manufactured by Sebellas.

“I thought of the idea of swapping the eagle of Lazio to the Boat of Holyhead Town FC to reflect the clubs history and how they are nicknamed the Harbourmen. 

“Many ex-players in the 50s & 60s worked down the boat yard and the old Cae Mwd pitch was located next to it. 

“The Lazio kit is a lovely kit no matter who you support. 

“After speaking with kit maker Teejac to see if it was possible they came back with the design and it’s fair to say the committee were wowed.”

Holyhead Town aren’t the only team to have a strip inspired by memorable kits. This season the Cefn Druids released a Wales-inspired 1970s away strip, which was popular amongst Wales international fans.

(Featured Image: Holyhead Town)