by Richard Lusmore
Easington United have unveiled the first of their special commemorative playing strips, with which they will mark 75 years since the club’s formation in 1947.
With the new Humber Premier League (HPL) campaign just three weeks away, the First Team’s 2022/23 home and away strips have been revealed.
For the first time since 1997 – when the club’s traditional colours were revived 50 years on – the Eastenders will not don primary (home) shirts that are either halved or quartered in style.
Instead, predominantly green shirts are complemented by green shorts and socks in a strip reminiscent of that first worn back in 1969/70 and then revived again in the mid-1980s.
However, perhaps the most striking part of the design comes via a diagonal sash of yellow and blue, reflecting the two other colours that along with green have provided the basis for most Easington strips down the years.
Meanwhile, orange – a colour donned by the locals for a decade from the mid-1970s – is again represented in the goalkeeper’s kit.
The shirts and shorts both carry the special 75th ‘birthday badge’, along with the names of the kit sponsors – the Marquis of Granby pub (front) and the Holderness & Hornsea Gazette (back).
The navy blue change (away) strip is almost a mirror of the home kit, with a sash of yellow and green offering the striking contrast on the shirts. The village’s long-time association with North Sea gas is reflected in the sponsors; Centrica Storage adorning the front of the shirt and Perenco UK the back.
The club are proud that both strips ‘respect the past’, not only by way of the choice of colours but also with a touching tribute to their former manager and vice chairman, courtesy of the ‘Walking in a Wilson Wonderland’ motif that is etched into the shirt collar.
Throw in the striking new design and use of the independent Hull Hospitals’ WISHH charity logo on the sleeves, and the new strip can also be seen to ‘embrace the future’.
In the coming weeks, we will also reveal the new strips to be worn by the Reserves, the Academy side and the ‘Awd Ezzies’.
It is now hoped that the new look can herald a new start in terms of success, after the struggles of last term. If nothing else, at least the players will look the part as they embrace the challenges ahead.
On the pitch, following an excellent opening day jaunt to Wetherby (see separate report) the Academy team were set to get their first run of the summer last night when they travelled to play CAST United Community team.
The weekend action is now restricted to the Reserves, who play a rare Sunday fixture when they head to North Cave to face Sands United HEY. Disappointingly, an unforeseen number of absences among the senior squad have prompted cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled friendly at home to Hessle Rangers. At time of going to print an alternative midweek date is being discussed.
All being well, Monday will see the release of the 2022/23 Humber Premier League season fixtures, with Saturday, 20 August scheduled to be the opening day.
Training continues as the new league season edges ever close. After another well attended Monday session, another stint was arranged for Patrington last Thursday night.
Donations continue to come in ahead of the Mount Snowdon challenge, for which we are extremely grateful. The aim is to raise funds for the club and for our chosen good cause, the WISHH charity for Wards 30 & 32 at Castle Hill Hospital. Support can be pledged online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/easington-unitedfc or via the paper sponsor forms in circulation.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Eastenders’ 75th birthday celebrations, which take place at Hull City AFC’s MKM Stadium on Saturday, 24 September. Priced £40 each, they are available from either Daniel Campbell (07794 572250) or Stuart Campbell (07792 770475). Guest speaker at the Sporting Dinner is former Newcastle, Liverpool and England star Peter Beardsley, supported by MC/comedian John Gillan.
Finally, any business or individual wishing to support the club in any way during the new season can do so by emailing us at [email protected].
For up-to-date news, check out our club website at easington-united.co.uk, along with our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@EasingtonUtd).
