THINK amateur rugby league and you’re likely to picture battle-hardened bruisers grinding each other into the dirt on a wintry weekend.
You probably wouldn’t think of budding fashionistas discussing the merits of an eye-catching kit design with a fetching fuchsia-pink flower motif.
But Slaithwaite Saracens are going against the grain by proudly sporting new electric blue shirts with a specially hand-picked floral pattern.
They’ve taken a leaf out of the book of top professional club Stade Francais – who have raised eyebrows with a series of unconventional kit designs – by coming up with a look that is sure to turn a few heads.
Asked if the shirts would be a hit with fans, centre Mick Bostock, the man behind the new kit, said: “I don’t think we’ll get many of the older blokes with the pipes and long beards wearing them, but I’m sure some of the younger lads will go for it.”
Mick, 29, works as business development manager for club sponsors, health and safety specialist OHS.
The Bradford-based company, which has sponsored the club for a number of seasons, put him in charge of coming up with a new design.
“Last time we went for something traditional – green and gold for the home kit, blue and red for the away strip,” he said.
“But we wanted something a bit wacky and out there for the away kit this time round.
“Stade Francais had the bright pink away shirt last year and we quite liked that.
“Then Huddersfield Rugby Union sevens team had a kit which was blue with orange tulips which looked quite funky.
“We had a quick look at a few designs and this one stuck out.
“When we first showed it to the lads, about three-quarters of them liked it.
“The lads from the village weren’t too sure, but they’re getting used to it.”
The Saracens are the runaway leaders of the Pennine League First Division.
And any fears the new kit might adversely affect their form were put to bed when they wore it for the first time in the 102-0 thrashing of Underbank Rangers in the Holliday Cup semi-final.
The Saracens will run out in it again for the cup final against Emley on Easter Monday at Lockwood Park.
Mick said they were prepared for any banter from rival fans about the choice of kit.
“It’s all about how we play, not how we’re dressed,” he said.
OHS also sponsor Huddersfield Giants and Leeds United, rising Bradford snooker star Gareth Green and several West Yorkshire charities involved in education and long-term unemployment.
Major clients include ASDA, The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s, BP and Cadbury.
