The NPSL’s newest team AFC Cleveland has teamed up with the world’s oldest British soccer brand Admiral Sportswear as they begin their journey into the national soccer scene.
Admiral is the Original British Football brand to the top teams in England and North America. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the Admiral brand was the choice of the England national team and Manchester United. Here in the United States they supplied the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the legendary New York Cosmos.
Today the brand is worn by the 2011 NASL Champions Minnesota Stars, USL PDL Champions Kitsap Pumas, the Puerto Rico Islanders, and many other USL Pro, USL PDL, MISL, NPSL, and WPSL clubs that have switched to Admiral this season.
“We’re delighted to be working with the AFC Cleveland especially as this is their inaugural season,” stated Paul Hamburger, CEO of Admiral Soccer. “For us it’s like coming home. We supplied the jerseys for the Cleveland Force for three seasons between 1979 & 1981. At the time over 40% of U.S. professional soccer clubs played in Admiral. It’s taken 30 years, but we’re reunited with soccer in Cleveland.”
AFC Cleveland will play in their inaugural season in the NPSL in the spring of 2012. They are led by Head coach Fabio Sartini whose playing career included time at the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer.
AFC Cleveland Chairman Terry Lawriw declared, “I spoke with Admiral and they delivered custom designs within a couple of days. They’ve made the process easy and really want to help us succeed. The kit is fully customized and uses the latest, lightweight fabric technology which we’re sure our players and fans will love. So far we’ve been delighted by their service and quality.”
The new kit will be available early in 2012 and online at www.admiralsoccer.com.
