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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Sport
David Donnelly

Shelbourne launch new away kit paying tribute to season ticket holders and late fans

Shelbourne have launched an away kit for 2022 that includes all of the club's season ticket holders printed as a thank you gesture for keeping the club going during the pandemic.

The white and light blue kit features the name of every season ticket holder in subtle print as well as the names of club volunteers and many fans who have passed away.

Like many League of Ireland clubs, Shelbourne fans dipped into their pockets during the pandemic to ensure the bills were met and players paid.

Season ticket sales remained consistent in 2021 despite the fact fans couldn't attend Tolka Park for most of the season.

The Reds ran out Women's National League champions and the men's team won the First Division to return to the top level.

Shels have already sold a record number of season tickets for the 2022 season as Noel King's side defend their title and compete in the Champions League, while new men's boss Damien Duff leads his team for the first time.

"Shelbourne FC has today unveiled its new away kit for 2022 featuring the names of all its season ticket holders as a thank you for keeping the club alive during the Covid-19 pandemic," reads a club statement.

"A large proportion of season ticket holders also chose to put the names of supporters who are no longer with us – a gesture which especially touched the club, demonstrating the history of the Club over our 127 years.

"The feature was part of a wider package on offer to supporters in 2021 who were unable to attend matches.

"The club felt obliged to offer a wide range of elements to add value to the package despite the lack of matches with attendances.

"Also included on the kit are the names of all the volunteers within the club, without whom, the club would not exist."

Shels CEO David O'Connor said: “We would like to extend our extreme gratitude to all Shels fans for their support over the past two years – especially considering the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on match attendance and families finances in some cases.

"2021 was a significant year for Shels as we won promotion back to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and our Women’s National League team became Champions of Ireland.

"We hope the fans will feel proud knowing it was them who helped us along the way and their names who we’ll be wearing across the country this year which is set to be a thrilling year across both men’s and women’s divisions.”

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