WHEN 1874 Northwich’s new kit was unveiled this summer, it was a social media sensation.

And now the volunteer-run team’s bold away shirt will be showcased in an upcoming exhibition at the National Football Museum.

Online reaction to the striking design, which certainly got the town talking, caught the eye of exhibition manager Jon Sutton who was in town on Saturday to film the story behind its creation for the Manchester museum’s forthcoming event.

“There’s a great story behind how this kit came about and it speaks a lot about football today and fans of the sport which is something we want to encapsulate in our exhibition,” he said.

Northwich Guardian:

Brian Edge, 1874 Northwich chairman, with a framed version of the new shirt

“They’ve done something really different that’s involved the fans and celebrates their heritage and the town. It’s created a lot of discussion and certainly got people talking about the team.”

He added: “It was brilliant visiting the town on Saturday, filming at the places that inspired the design, visiting the club, meeting the team and the fans and watching the match.”

Described as ‘bus seat chic’, the blue shirt was designed with fan input by Kingsmead digital artist Phil Galloway, who’s worked for the likes of Nike, Puma and BT Sport.

Reminiscent of the more adventurous football shirt designs of the late 80s and early 90s, it features chevrons representing the town’s two rivers, and includes Tudor detailing harking back to the town’s past.

Northwich Guardian:

Shirt designer Phil Galloway, pictured right, talking to the film team from the National Football Museum

“We wanted it to be bold and forward thinking, while celebrating the town’s history” said Phil.

“We knew it was going to polarise people, but we wanted to create a strong reaction and overall, it’s been amazing.

“The fan connection with the design process and the reaction to the design is the reason the museum has singled out the club to be part of this project.

“I’m glad we decided to go bold and big as that reflects the club’s direction and ethos.”

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Ashley Dobell, a volunteer who worked alongside the club’s board on the design, added: “We were so nervous when we unveiled the final design, but I think the club has helped create something to be proud of and I think we did it justice.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the film at the exhibition. It’s a huge endorsement for us to be recognised in this way.”