Another Season, Another Divisive Kit Choice

Here we go again - the new football season approaches, and the new kits are being revealed. My beloved QPR is known for its hoops (NOT stripes), and while there is often debate regarding the thickness of the hoops, and whether or not they all go all the way round, the first team shirt rarely departs from the classic blue and white. So what may be changed in order to force fans and parents to stump up for the latest version? 

The most subtle change is to reverse the order of the hoops. Last season, the badge was white on a blue hoop, and the sponsor on a white hoop (we'll get to the trim in a minute):

This season, they are the other way round:

This little change renders the previous shirt utterly passé, and another £47 (plus more for any names or numbers on the back) must be found. Unless you are a season ticket holder or member, who doesn't mind waiting for a flash sale, or until the end of the season when you may use your "QPR Pounds" at the Club Shop.

Then there is the collar. In the end, I suppose that one is either a crew neck, a V neck or a polo shirt style collar fan. I'm a crew neck kind of person myself.

Finally, the trim. It is usually either more blue/white, or sometimes there is a red element in there. This year, however, INNOVATION! We have "gold". For me, gold is usually suggestive of some kind of great achievement. Certainly, the fans should wear gold in honour of their unfailing loyalty no matter who is manager, owner, chairman or playing (Bosingwa!). Not sure the players have yet earned that right.

Did I say finally? I know last season many people were blown away by the idea of a fuchsia pink away shirt. Some of us hated it, and some of us loved it. I love my pink shirt. I'm wearing it right now as I type. This season, my instinctive response to the aqua blue shirt without a hint of hoop and that gold trim, writing, badge and number is, che schifo! (Italian for YUCK!) I'm not sure if it is the shirt I would wear when invited for drinks on your yacht, or if it is the shirt that your crew would be wearing as they served my drink. It doesn't feel like a professional footballers' shirt. It doesn't feel like a QPR shirt. I'm hoping that the photo doesn't show that at least there is some kind of inferred hoop or two somewhere.

Meanwhile, the club has stated that if there is a clash with the aqua, the old pink kit will be the third one. Otherwise, for 2020 Errea have recycled it with our friends in the North.

Why so sad, Grimsby man? 

Whatever, of course, it is, now & always, COYRS & RTID!