This weekend, Championship outfit Reading showcased their new unique home shirt against Blackpool in a 1-0 loss for the Royals. The shirt features a graphic on the sleeves highlighting how temperatures in Reading have risen in an attempt to raise awareness for climate change.
Manufactured by Macron, the sleeves feature stripes of a lighter shade of blue, accompanied by a striking red, reflecting each year’s average temperature over 151 years in the Berkshire town to show how climate change is impacting the local community in Berkshire.
The concept was originally drawn up in 2018 by University of Reading professor Ed Hawkins, and following the club’s new partnership with the University, the kit was approved in order to ‘start conversations and inspire action’.
In addition, Reading’s shirt is made from 100% recyclable Eco-Fabric, originally derived from plastic bottles, ensuring that the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process is as minimal as possible.
Head of Commercial at Reading Football Club, Tim Kilpatrick reinforced the club’s ethos around this year’s shirt:
“Last week we all endured the hottest day on record in Reading and that heatwave aptly underlines how vital it is to spark a conversation about climate change and environmental sustainability.”
Fans took to social media to express their mixed feelings regarding the jersey, with most appreciating the message but not taking a liking toward the shirt itself, especially due to the contrast between the shirts global warming message, and the sponsor of Select Car Leasing.
With Reading’s average temperature increasing year by year, fans will be hoping that this seasons point tally will increase after the Royals escaped relegation by just one place in 2022…
