West Ham were forced to play without a sponsor name on their shirt last night as they lost to Domzale in the Europa League first leg and many supporters commented how better the shirt looked and they much preferred it.
Early speculation suggested that UEFA bans gambling sponsorship on shirts in European competitions but this is not the case and we wore Betway branded shirts in last season’s Europa League games. The real reason was the Slovenia government bans foreign online gambling sites in their country so the logo could not be shown. Rival betting company Bet365 grabbed the opportunity by sponsoring the UK coverage on BT Sport much to the annoyance of West Ham’s primary sponsor.
The Betway shirt logo will be back next Thursday at the former Olympic Stadium for the second leg of the Europa league. Gambling logos have been banned from children’s replica shirts since 2007 and there is a greater call to restrict gambling companies hold on Premier League sponsorship of teams in the future.
Names were also missing from the back of shirts last night but eagle eyed supporters would have noticed the same thing happened in the Europa League last year and the simple explanation is that official squad numbers have not been allocated as yet. Names will be added once squad numbers are confirmed.
Any shirt does ??
Completely agree. I wonder if the club has considered (or is allowed) to sell shirts with and without the sponsor on them? If there are a lot of people in favour, could potentially be another revenue stream for them…
I can’t imagine Betway having anything to do with that.They sponsor to have their name on the shirt I really can’t see them going a long with us producing shirts without their name being on it.They probably have it written in the contract I should think.Personally I couldn’t care one way or another,its just a fecking shirt 🙂
The one thing that stops me buying a shirt is the sponsors name, why should I be ripped off £50+ to advertise a mult million pound business?
I am pretty certain there has been more talk of betway now their logo was not on our shirt!! Wouldn’t have been mentioned once if it was there!!!
Now that’s clever marketing ! (Even if they did not mean it!)
Haha,yeah that’s very true LJ 😀
When I first moved to Valencia I used to buy there shirts in England because they were cheaper and for 3 years they came with out the sponsors name,
The locals loved them and asked me where I got them from and could I get them some,
Must admit it’s easier to where your shirts all the time when out and about when it’s clear,
I would buy 1 tomorrow if it came clean,
Never liked any of our sponsors on my shirt since Dr Martin,
Just hope Tesco don’t get our shirt deal,
The club should think before they agree a deal even if the shirts are a bit more expensive,
You know, seeing the guys in shirts without advertising gave me a nice little nostalgic girlie moment….eh, lads?
haha.. there are rumors about WH next sponsor… The owners have reached an agreement with Pampers. The sponsor will provide a lifetime supply of nappies, DS and DG are concerned about the health of Wetlands… lol 😀
Not a duel sponsor then with Tena then Matte,
T & P nice ring about it
That would keep things dry
Knew I had seen you in some old films C the M,
You got me there Bubs alright, in my old trannie film star status mode in sequinned cat suit…on the Northbank…Ah the days! Now all I’ve got to look forward to is Pampers and Tena… and the odd Monkey’s Bellend visit or 2…
Will you be able to order a new dry nappy over the WiFi in the stadium though guys.Will it come as a complimentary with your beer??
All and any Club shirt looks better without Sponsers names plastered all over them .
Advertising in the ground should be good enough . Makes you wonder where the profits on Kit sales really go !!.