It would be an understatement to say that the denizens of Planet Fitba are slightly enjoying the Castore catastrophe.
For those who prefer their schadenfreude in Sevco flavour, this is delicious stuff.
Here young James Forrest lays it on thick in the Celtic Blog.
However, aside from the justified ribaldry, there is a serious story to be unearthed here.
For the avoidance of doubt, the stenography Corps will be taking part in that particular excavation.
Today I caught up with my Shirebrook Guy again.
For the record, he maintains that Big Mike gets a cut of any item of Sevco Castore apparel regardless of where it is sold.
When I mentioned the issue some of the kit being made in China and others in Turkey, he was already across that.
All he would share was that General Ashley had recently deployed his legal division to get court time as a matter of urgency.
I asked him if this was for the ongoing Elite/Hummel litigation.
He told me that was only part of the Ibrox drama now.
By that, I took it that Big Mike might have an issue with the Castore folks.
So, I asked him about that.
Well, he answered me in a non-denial denial type of way that I’ve become accustomed to in our chats.
I fully understood that he couldn’t possibly comment.
However, he did say that Big Mike was particularly interested in the output from Turkey that was turning up in the Ibrox store.
Now, I do hope that the lads in the Istanbul Sarsfields GAA have got a proper contract with Sevco.
After all, they’re playing senior hurling now!
The spin coming out of Sevco seems to be asking a lot of the “pro jersey” excuse.
The thing is, say in professional rugby, the pro jersey costs substantially more than the standard replica kit.
On the Ashley going to court issue, my guy told me that there was something like a six-month backlog on commercial cases.
However, the big fella is urgently seeking court time to get the final bill for the Sevco car boot sale on the Hummel gear.
I was left with the distinct impression that the Amazing Castore Brothers just might also have some legal business to attend to.
There was one other thing that Shirebrook Guy pointed out to me.
He said that if Adidas, had made some manufacturing error with the Celtic stuff the first thing they would have done was to release a statement on their own website.
Of course, Celtic, their commercial partner would have been supplied with a copy before publication.
He said that it was strange for this soothing statement to come out through the support liaison chap at Ibrox.
For them, it was almost as if the Amazing Castore Brothers were not the authors of the press release.
Of course, I couldn’t possibly comment.
He also pointed out that in his Adidas Celtic scenario that the customers would receive a full refund and all faulty stock would be recalled forthwith.
This is definitely a developing story, and it is isn’t about flimsy stitching and iron-on transfers.
Sadly, the dirigibles on the sports desks will not go near it.
However, your humble correspondent wants to find out the truth and publish it here for you to read.
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If you haven’t got a stitch while your beside the pitch
That’s Castore
It’s over to the Green Brigade bhoys to come up with a fitting tifo for the first derby at Paradise this season and it shouldn’t be too hard to pen a little ditty for the amusement of all fans, apart from those of re rainjurrrs. HH
This was all written in the stars. Those stars being Castore and Bollocks
It reminds me of the old comedy TV show from the sixties “Never Mind The Quality Feel The Width”.
Never mind the quality, feel the mirth.
Re Scott’s comment I too remember the problem with Umbro’s shirts. I remember also that on Off The Ball a ‘guest’, he was some kind of uber Rangers fan ( as they were then known) said he had an explanation re the fraying Umbro shirts. It was caused, he said, by the crucifixes Celtic fans were wearing at the time, rubbing against the material. Well, those neutrals on Off The Ball, they just laughed and laughed and laughed.
ps that same fan was on another Off The Ball and was asked what his favourite fan’s modified song was. Without hesitation he answered ‘I Was Born Under A Union Flag’. It’s sung to the tune of ‘I Was Born Under A Wandering Star’ as rendered by Lee Marivin in ‘Paint Your Wagon” You know the modified one? The one with the line ‘Chapels were made for burning.’
One can only assume that the presenters weren’t aware of the line as they passed no comment on the ‘fan’s favourite’.
The funny thing in all of this, is if any company had treated them right, the Sevco fans would have made them a fortune and continued to do so. Even SD went for the jugular and has to wait for a court judgement (when and if it comes) for his money but with a normal contract, they would have shifted some 150,000 units (reportedly) and then there would be next season to start all over again.
School jumpers etc. It all seems a bit unreal, a bit like the club, I guess.
So here’s the rub.
Castore say they “accidentally” or a supplier “accidentally” shipped premium tops (China) instead of replica (Turkey) which is fine really because by and large premium can be expected to be of a premium quality (I know I’m dumbing down but bear (No pun intended) with me)
Now, since that iPhone notes press release via the Ibrokes SLO it transpires the new premium range is ready to order.
Low and behold it’s not the aforementioned, China, tops but another level completely.
So the “Real” premium tops, not China or Turkey are something else, so there’s either a breakdown in supply/communication/translation which can happen.
The premium which is now being marketed is the same as the players get, the other premium which isn’t the one the players get but the fans were told was and part of the mix up, the replica tops are the ones all fans should have got but didn’t as they got some premium players tops but they really weren’t as they are just being marketed now.
I think that’s it.
So if I wanna buy a Rankers top I’ve got lots of choices but fuck knows what will drop through the letterbox.
Oh I also heard there’s issues with deliveries, returns and refunds etc
Hope that clears it all up.
No end of parody for the easily deceived at Castore Loyal. They’ll never wise up. Charles Green, Craig Whyte, and now Comedy Gold. Bit of friendly advice for those fine owners down there in Bootle: Don’t be too hard on your employees making the dodgy merchandise.
Phil…am I correct in thinking that there are Court cases against Sevco scheduled for this Monday and Tuesday…?
And wouldn’t it be wonderful if another one was coming over the hill..?
Keep up the great work..
Hail hail
A black cloud gathers ominously, and the foetid stench of the Castore clusterfuck bomb hangs in the air over Bleak House. The press core is heading to the south side. There is a burning issue on the lips of everyone, anyone, interested in Scottish football on this day. On arrival at the press conference the relentless news hounds are all given the same question by a PR tea boy. First journalist up to the mic composes himself and prepares to impress with his intrepid probing: “Sure it’s true we, sorry Rangers*, have rejected a bid worth hundreds of thousands of pounds for Ryan Kent, so we have?”
When the sales hit a spike
Quality takes a hike
Thats Castore
When the tills ring your cash
To the tune of the Sash
That’s Castore
When you’re decked in the blues
In a number of hues
That’s Castore
Does the board give a jot
When threadbear is your lot
That’s Castore
When a lesson is learned
And you’ve lost your hard earned
That,s Castore,
Castore,
Castore
When your shirt has frayed wool and it’s from Istanbul, that’s Castore
I can remember Celtic having an issue with the quality of replica shirts made by Umbro in 1999. After a few washes the stitching began to fray. The club and Umbro immediately released statements apologising for the fault, refunds were given and new shirts were released with a different make up meaning the were more robust to general wear and tear. This fault, even though it was rectified in a swift fashion still managed to make just about every Scottish tabloid and was being reported at 6pm by Jackie Bird (or whoever was doing Reporting Scotland back then)
Now I know there are a lot more methods of getting news to the masses now than way back in 1999 but come on, if this farce came out of Celtic park it would again be headline news.
It is funny though and as many have said yet another chapter in the banter years!
Haha, I’ve still got my Umbro top from that season (it doesn’t quite fit as it did then).
When we first got the New balance strips some would catch easily, But Celtic exchanged them no problem and admitted the problem.
They got the material changed.
This a journalist’s goldmine
Fill your boots
Borrow boots and fill them aswell.