It was early last September, at the official launch of the Alexion sponsorship of Wolves Disability FC, that the players were handed some blank sheets of paper and a few felt tip pens.
Their mission, should they choose to accept it?
To design the rarest football kit they could come up with, to mark the start of a new chapter with the Alexion partnership, and reflect Rare Disease Day, which aims to raise awareness of the fact that 400 million people worldwide are living with a rare disease.
A range of players from under-12 through to adults soon got to work. A combined creative force which quickly saw a whole range of ideas transferred from pens to paper.
Eventually, four designs emerged which were then presented to director of Wolves Foundation Will Clowes to decide on the winner. No easy task. In fact, an impossible task.
“Let’s use them all,” was Will’s judgement. It was too close to call. And so began the next chapter.
Synaxis Graphic Design Consultancy then produced a final design based on combining the colours and shapes from all four winning entries. Which have now become immortalised on the front of the shirt, carrying the name of long-serving front-of-shirt sponsor and Foundation Pack Patron, Nuffield Health.
The result is a colourful and spectacular representation of the energy and vigour of Wolves Disability FC, including within it, black zebra stripes, which are of particular significance.
The zebra is the official symbol to represent people who have rare conditions, with ‘Show Your Stripes’ encouraging the wearing of stripes to represent the unique journey of each patient. This highlights the need for increased awareness, research and faster more accurate diagnoses, and fits perfectly with the partnership with Alexion,
AstraZeneca Rare Disease, a company focused on delivering life-changing therapies to people living with rare diseases.
With thanks to Wolves’ official retail supplier Levy Merchandising and SUDU, the shirts were then produced.
And, earlier this week, the under-16 team who will be representing Wolves against Aston Villa under the Molineux floodlights at half time this evening, enjoyed a sneak preview of the shirts with parents and siblings in the first team dressing room.
“Cool” and “sick” were among the many adjectives used. All extremely positive. There was also a spot of emotion on show ahead of what is such a magical and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As goalkeeper Brandon explained
“It’s amazing how this has been designed and I am proud to have been a part of it,” he said.
“It is nice to leave a legacy at Wolves.”
Laura Cahill, business development manager at Wolves Foundation, has helped lead on the delivery of the unique and innovative kit, produced with thanks to Alexion.
“We were really excited to give the players their first look at the special Alexion kit, which they designed themselves,” said Laura.
“I am always super proud to work for the Foundation but the work that Gav (Senior Disability Sport Officer Gavin Jones) and his team deliver is incredible.
“To see the players’ reactions just makes it even more special.”
There are not just legends on the respective teams at Molineux this evening. Gavin and his opposite number from Villa, Nigel Macrow, have chalked up years of selfless and dedicated service creating opportunities within disability sport for players and fans of both clubs. Their work is immense.
And so, the under-16 team from Wolves Disability FC, a pan-disability club with over 80 players from across the different age groups, will now very much look the part when taking to the hallowed Molineux turf this evening.
Always a wonderful spectacle enjoyed by both sets of supporters, whatever the result, each and every one of them, from both sides, are winners.
The squads of players (with their respective favourite players from the Wolves and Aston Villa first teams) are as follows. Good luck all!
WOLVES
- Brandon | Jose Sa
- Adam | Sam Johnstone
- Logan | Rodrigo Gomes
- Alex | Hugo Bueno
- Hugh | Mateus Mane
ASTON VILLA
- Noah | Emi Martinez
- Riley | Morgan Rogers
- Albie | Lucas Digne
- Reid | Ollie Watkins
- Charlie | Morgan Rogers
- Billy | Morgan Rogers
As well as supporting the players at half time on Friday night, there are several other ways fans can help the Foundation.
Staff will be around the Megastore to chat to fans and take any donations, while supporters will be able to have the special Focus Fixture patch – being added to the Wolves’ players shirts for the game – added to their replica tops for a minimum donation of £5.
A Silent Auction will be held across hospitality areas with a host of fantastic items available, whilst the Wolves’ players walk-out jackets, also featuring the Focus Fixture patch, will later be auctioned off with all funds raised going to the charity.
Any fans wishing to make a general donation to support the work of Wolves Foundation can do so by clicking here.
Wolves Foundation are hugely grateful to the club’s official sleeve partner JD for their support of the half time fixture and donating gift cards for all the players.
