HORNETS REVEAL FIJI STYLE WARM-UP SHIRTS

Hornets reveal new warm-up shirts ahead of the first league game of the season against Doncaster on Sunday.

The shirt, which will be worn by players in the warm-up prior to Sunday’s Betfred League One clash with Doncaster is a blend of the Fiji Bati team colours, black and blue with a mixture of Hornets colours.

 While it’s a little bit out there, the design pays tribute to the history and heritage that we continue to share with Fiji Bati.

 The number 61 will feature on all jerseys to signify the year in which the Fijians, Joe Levula and Orisi Dawai arrived in Rochdale to play in England in the 1960s, with almost 10,000 miles separating the South Pacific Island from the town.

 Rochdale is a big name in Fiji, it was often the first town mentioned when locals spoke about England in the country. Those were the words spoken by the late Mike Ratu, one of Rochdale’s most iconic players. 

 Ratu senior was one of the original 212 Fijian pioneers to sign up for the British Army in the early 1960s, and later feature for the Hornets.

 Our connection with the South Pacific Island is a fascinating one and it’s something the club hopes to bring to life with this shirt, manufactured by Supro Sport.

 The styling for the number 61 is Fijian Masi, which is a traditional material made by the inhabitants of many of the islands in the Pacific region. This decorates the number to help bring the jersey to life.

 Hornets CEO Steve Kerr is delighted with this announcement.

 He said: “The design is a collaboration between the club and Supro. It’s a little out there but the warm-up shirt gives us a chance to make a statement and I’m delighted at the result!

 “I love our Fijian connection and after seeing the fans engage with the Ratu shirt in 2022, I hope this is just as popular.

“The shirt features six new sponsors: Rochdale Blinds, AB Plumbing, Houseman Envioronmental, Castletown Timber, Parrs Group Rochdale, and Total Pipeline Solutions.

 “A huge thank you to our sponsors who are all brilliant to work with and are making a real impact for the club.

 “Club Headline sponsors Premier Kia feature as our main sponsor, and I’m delighted that RedSoda Co have also partnered with us in 2023 to make this shirt possible.

 “A big thank you to all our sponsors. I hope you enjoy watching the team in these jerseys this coming Sunday.”

 These shirts will be priced at £30, and you can order online using the link here!

 Shirts will be available at the pop-up shop from our Betfred League One home game against Dewsbury on Sunday 26 March. 

 However, if you order online, shirts will be dispatched from Monday 20 March, meaning you can have your Fiji commemorative shirt prior to us facing Dewsbury at the end of this month!