St Johnstone have launched their new away kit, featuring maroon and white stripes in a nod to the club’s roots.
But cheeky supporters online have leapt to query whether manager Craig Levein – a Hearts legend owing to lengthy service at Tynecastle both on and off the pitch – had a hand in its design.
The Perth club is this year commemorating the 140th anniversary of its foundation, with both home and away kits bearing the legend “140 years” on the rear, near the collar.
But the newly released change outfit has gone a step further by nodding to the maroon colour scheme sported by the club from 1885 to 1887 and 1888 to 1890.
Saints first wore their now traditional blue (in the form of blue and white stripes) in 1890 and did not switch to an all-blue shirt until 1922.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Colin McCredie (@colinmccredie) June 30, 2024
Many supporters seem delighted with the club’s new away kit, with well known actor and Saints fan Colin McCredie offering applause on X, formerly Twitter.
Craig Ferguson (@craigf76) is another fan, saying: “Oooofffttt that’s a thing of beauty, not really one for buying shirts but I think I’ll be getting this one.”
However some fans – largely appearing to be affiliated to other clubs – are taking a more cynical stance.
Maroon & White.
Big H down the middle of it.
Did St Johnstone just let Craig Levein design this? https://t.co/Hn3uucUnFo— allyyyy (@allyturnbull) June 30, 2024
X user and Hibs fans @allyturnbull said: “Maroon & White. Big H down the middle of it. Did St Johnstone just let Craig Levein design this?”
Saints supporter @Daz_SJFC made light of the situation by posting a short clip of Saints’ manager expressing his happiness, taken from after his side’s win over Hibs in April.
https://t.co/jc4B7kbcYt pic.twitter.com/eLmvloDfTS
— Nerrad Nosrettap 💭 (@Daz_SJFC) June 30, 2024
While fellow Saintee @kerrh_ summed the sudden interest of other clubs’ fans in Saints’ new look thusly: “Rival fans slagging off the top you play in is always a weird one, isn’t it?”
Saints’ home hit for 2024/25 was a big hit with fans when released earlier this month and is available to buy now at the Saints Shop, at McDiarmid Park, and online from Saints Direct.
The away kit will be available from Tuesday, July 2.
Conversation