Maybe I got special attention given that the O'NEILLS factory is about 300 yards from where I grew up, but an order placed last Sunday has just been delivered. Very impressed and kept informed from receipt of order to when it was on its way.

- David Maltman, Club President

Just a quick update on some kit issues, where the transition to our new supplier O’NEILLS has generally gone very well to date, particularly in terms of impressive turnaround times for the on-line orders, where shipments are often turning up within 7 working days. The embellished shirt design is getting very positive feedback in terms of its manufacture, price and design, particularly the sublimated “1861” watermark on the front (see photo above). It is still early days, but at least we have got off to a good start.

In terms of the boring stuff …

SQUAD NUMBERS

Anybody who has not already got a squad number should contact kit@blackheath.co.uk before ordering a playing shirt. If you already have a number from last season, it is still worth contacting the Kit Manager to be on the safe side … over 90% of the existing numbers will still be valid for the 2017-2018 season, but for a variety of reasons which I won’t bore you with, a few duplications have nevertheless crept in over the past couple of years which we are currently trying to eradicate.

JUNIOR SHIRTS

The initial orders of junior playing shirts are taking a few days longer than for senior shirts, as these incorporate a brand new design which could not be manufactured until the senior shirts were already in production. This situation will be resolved very soon, so don’t panic.

SOCKS!

If you ordered socks online along with other kit and these have not yet turned up, fear not. The socks have to be manufactured in bulk quantities in five home sizes and three away sizes, and nobody has received them yet. Initial supplies of home socks are expected to be available by next week-end, and O’NEILLS will send these out to individual on-line buyers ASAP thereafter. The away socks will take an extra 10 days to materialise, but all being well, your socks will be with you well before the beginning of the league season.

And last not least …

There will be a pop-up stand at Saturday’s trials day at the London Marathon Ground where you can try on sizing kit, see some samples, possibly buy some of the new socks (if available), and also purchase some (brand new) oddments from last year’s kit supply at super knock-down prices (like shorts for £4.00, old socks for £3.00, bobble hats for £2.00 etc.) This stuff is perfectly good for training purposes or as spare kit.

Any questions, please feel free to contact kit@blackheath.co.uk.