Players net fashion goal

Mar 28 2002 By Henryk Zientek, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Examiner - Huddersfield On the Up (Emley Moor Mast Sunset) 118

ENGLAND'S World Cup hopefuls are already winners in the fashion stakes - thanks to two Huddersfield textile firms.

The England footballers and officials have been kitted out in all-wool suits woven and finished in Huddersfield.

The cloth, designed by Bradford firm J H Clissold and Son - who also supplied the yarn - was woven by Bradley-based C and J Antich and finished by W T Johnson, of Moldgreen.

The suits were made up by tailoring firm BMB Menswear, of Leeds, for England's team sponsor, Burtons.

The England footballers will wear the made-to-measure suits when travelling between venues during their World Cup campaign in Japan this summer.

England fans will be able to buy off-the-peg versions of the suit at Burton stores.

The cloth - in a classic dark navy - was selected by fashion-conscious England captain David Beckham from a selection of designs provided by Clissold.

Clissold managing director Adrian Berry said: "The team will look very elegant. English football is enjoying a revival under Beckham's captaincy, and if they look smart off the field they will play smart on it."

Chris Antich, managing director of C and J Antich, said: "It is a splendid thing to be involved with.

"David Beckham has made a good choice. It is a beautiful piece of cloth.

"The contract also shows there is teamwork in the textile industry!"