First English team to have a sponsored jersey ?

[The Partisan]

Curious to know who was first to have some business splash the cash and get their name out there on a jersey in England ?

Bonus question would be first sponsor of Great Britain and /or England kit ?

 

[roughyedspud]

Don't know who but I'm guessing it was in the early 80s?

 

[deluded pom?]

Fev - LINPAC. GB, guessing Whitbread.

 

[Perth Red]

Someone told me it was Hull KR in 1981-82 season with Hanson White Print but not sure if that is correct? I know we didn't have one on the shirt in 1980-81 and we had Savoy tyres in 1983-84 so Hanson print was def our first one. If anyone else had one prior to 1981-82 season I am not sure but cant find any reference to suggest they did? Hull played Widnes in 81-82 CC final and neither club had a sponsor on their shirt.


As for GB, pretty sure it was Trophy (Whitbred Trophy Bitter) in 1989 then British coal took over in 1990 for a few years.

 

[deluded pom?]

Someone told me it was Hull KR in 1981-82 season with Hanson White Print but not sure if that is correct? I know we didn't have one on the shirt in 1980-81 and we had Savoy tyres in 1983-84 so Hanson print was def our first one. If anyone else had one prior to 1981-82 season I am not sure but cant find any reference to suggest they did? Hull played Widnes in 81-82 CC final and neither club had a sponsor on their shirt.


As for GB, pretty sure it was Trophy (Whitbred Trophy Bitter) in 1989 then British coal took over in 1990 for a few years.

Pretty sure the red and white scum from east Hull had Rank Xerox before Hanson. They were often referred to as just being rank by Hull fans. The shirt was made by Adidas and had a V neck and 3/4 sleeves. Fev were the first English team to be sponsored. Hull's first sponsor was Shopacheck. Not sure of the year though.

 

[roughyed8]

Wasn't GB's first sponsor MMP on the 1984 tour?

 

[deluded pom?]

Wasn't GB's first sponsor MMP on the 1984 tour?

Could well be. The tour manager was the Halifax chaiman if I recall correctly and MMP was his company.

 

[Perth Red]

Pretty sure the red and white scum from east Hull had Rank Xerox before Hanson. They were often referred to as just being rank by Hull fans. The shirt was made by Adidas and had a V neck and 3/4 sleeves. Fev were the first English team to be sponsored. Hull's first sponsor was Shopacheck. Not sure of the year though.

Forgot about Rank, What year did Fev start with a sponsor?
Here's our early sponsors, was getting my 1986 CC shirt mixed up with my 1981 shirt!

Year Kit Manufacturer Main Shirt Sponsor
1981–1983 Rank Xerox
1983–1986 Savoy Tyres
1986–1992 Hanson White Print

 

[deluded pom?]

Not certain but Fev may have been ‘81 too but they were definitely the first UK team to have a sponsor on the shirt.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Wasn't GB's first sponsor MMP on the 1984 tour?

Yes this is correct, was on the red and blue
chevron from memory.

 

[LeagueXIII]

 

[LeagueXIII]

The first Challenge Cup Final with sponsors on shirts was the 1984 game between Widnes (Stanley Leisure) and Wigan (JJB Sports).

 

[deluded pom?]

Here’s the Rank Xerox scum shirt. The caption says 1983.

 

[deluded pom?]

https://www.pontefractandcastleford...c-back-as-club-s-main-shirt-sponsor-1-6129581

The above article says Fev were first sponsored by Linpac in 1981/2.