It’s been a challenging time for all of us over the last year or so, but with a return to community rugby on the horizon, things might be changing. So, I feel is about time you heard from me, ‘The Kit Man". For those who don’t know me I’m John Bickerstaff and I’ve been hanging around the club since 1978, playing for all the senior teams, coaching at junior level as well as organising and facilitating some high-profile events.

Supporting Rovers has always been a motivation and it will always be, with an emphasis on junior sides as I think it’s the most important area of any club, the future in fact. But let’s not forget the senior men and women who play an important role in an area for the juniors to progress. On that, I must mention the sad loss of one of our junior coaches, Andrew Arnell, not only a very good player, an excellent coach but a really nice fella, a lad and whose family I have known for many years and who will be sadly missed by everyone.

Earlier last year I took over the role of team and club kit manager, on-field and off, starting with a look at who supplies us, the quality and whether its fashionable or not. Deciding to change to our new supplier in Macron (via MySportwear in Darlington), an international provider to many international, premiership and community clubs. The club shop is available via the Rovers website or direct at https://mysportswear.co.uk/shop/club-shops/hartlepool-rovers-fc/ where there is a very good range of Rovers gear.

As well as the standard stuff we will be offering ‘Seasonal Ranges’ as well as ‘Clubhouse Specials’ so check them out. When you’ve bought your items, if you live locally, we will get them collected on your behalf, saving you delivery money. As you read this, there are new items within the summer t-shirts area, a range we’ve never had before so you be the judge. They are slightly different to the general range, and there are similar items within the kids range with more to come. Check-em-out!

We are working on the new club match shirt which will be unique to Hartlepool Rovers and
available to purchase, again something we’ve never promoted before so, watch this space.

Hopefully I will see you soon. Once training has resumed and guidance has been received from the RFU on what use we can make of the changing rooms I will be looking to pass over the teamwear for senior men and women who have paid their membership subs.

The kitman