Hull FC have revealed their 2021 principal jersey in a special tribute to club legend Johnny Whiteley MBE on his 90th birthday!
The Airlie Birds have been saving up their iconic Black & White irregular hoops for the first time since 2018 to mark the occasion, with the jersey modelled on shirts worn by club captain Whiteley in the 50s and 60s.
Additional touches include the one-off inclusion of a limited-edition version of the three crowns club logo from that era, which will feature on just the principal shirts this season, whilst a photo montage tribute to Johnny is also include inside the collar.
The badge also makes reference to JW90, as well as his heritage number denoting he was the 541st player to make his debut for Hull FC.
You can watch the 2021 principal jersey launch video here
Whiteley made 417 appearances for the club in a stellar 15 year playing career between 1950 and 1965, leading the club to several honours including the 1956 and 1958 Championship Finals, the 1957 European Championship, and their first appearances at Wembley Stadium!
As well as achieving significant international honours including World Cup winners medals in 1954 and 1960, and an Ashes series victory as Great Britain head coach in 1970, he also went on to coach the Black & Whites in the 1960s, and later receiving his MBE for ‘Services to Rugby League & Community’ in 2006.
Speaking of his delight to see the new jersey, the Rugby League Hall of Fame member said: “The shirt is absolutely brilliant and I can’t thank the club enough for this incredible gesture.
“I’ve been associated with this wonderful family club and the fantastic people who come with it for seventy years now – Hull Football Club is special and this really emphasizes that.
“I’ve been locked up since January having had an operation prior to the start of the pandemic, so to be in the thoughts of everybody, on what to me is just another day, is really special.
“I’ll treasure this shirt – it can’t get any better than this. I’ll make sure it is handed down to my Great Grandson, who plays for West Hull.”
In a touching birthday surprise, Whiteley was this morning presented with the very first edition of the jersey by the club’s Chief Executive, James Clark, at his family home in East Yorkshire, as well as members of the club’s media team who caught the heart-warming moment on camera from safe, social distance.
You can watch the video here
Having announced a club-record partnership with the global sportswear brand yesterday, the kit and accompanying elite training range is produced by brand-new technical and merchandise partners hummel®.
The iconic sportswear company are the club’s new technical and retail supplier of all elite and replica playing and training wear, as well as bespoke match day and fashion ranges.
As the club’s official technical partner, hummel® will kit out the club’s full network of representative teams, including men, women, academy and Centre of Excellence, as well as coaching staff, administration staff and community development teams.
To find out more on the club’s new partnership with hummel – click here
The jersey features our main club partner Atropa Pharmacy, who take pride of place on the front of the jersey once again having extended their significant commercial partnership with the club on Wednesday until at least the end of 2023 in an outstanding show of support, while also featuring their new ‘Blood Clinic’ brand on the upper back of the jersey.
Meanwhile, Elite Performance Partners Jacuzzi have enhanced their growing partnership with Hull FC having been confirmed as the club’s Elite Training Partner, as well as featuring on the club shirts.
One of the club’s most high-profile partners alongside Atropa Pharmacy, Jacuzzi® have further strengthened their links with the Black & Whites as their names will proudly sit on the Elite Performance Training ranges, alongside Outdoor Living, Europe’s largest hot tub retailer.
Long standing partners continue their proud affiliation with the club, with CRK Engineering, SS Testing, J O’Neills Locksmiths, JLP Scaffolding and Andrew Earles Holidays all appearing on the kit once again.
They are joined for the first time by new kit partners Kinetic Laboratories and Shoot The Bull who are extremely proud to be partnering the club in 2021.
All the shirts partners received a secret reveal earlier today via a Zoom call with the club’s CEO, due to the limitations of Covid-19. Hull FC would like to place on record their thanks and gratitude for the continued support of our valued shirt partners.
The new principal shirt and accompanying training range are available to purchase right now online at hullfcshop.com, while the jersey will be available in all sizes from our retail stores once they reopen following the national lockdown.
Shirts are priced £49.99 for adults, and £39 for kids and available in various sizes, including ladies fit.
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