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Selkirk-Manchester City link strengthened by material gain
Published on Saturday 30 July 2011 07:00
THE bond was created in 1955 – but 56 years later Selkirk and Manchester City Football Club remain closer than ever.
The Royal Burgh and the biggest-spending English Premier League club seem an unlikely match to an outside observer.
But a partnership formed, thanks to Souter Bobby Johnstone and his £22,000 move to City during the mid-50s – a bargain compared to the £38million the club coughed up for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero this week - has now been recognised by a special Manchester Blues tartan.
The official launch of the A S Campbell design, which will be reproduced for scarves, ties and stadium rugs in the club’s shops, took place in Lochcarron last Friday, accompanied by a host of well-known Selkirk speakers and musicians.
Tommy Knox was MC for the night, while music was provided by the town’s own Gael Force and Fiona Scott.
Hilary Buchan of Lochcarron led the speeches, along with businessman Craig Douglas, who helped broker the deal between A S Campbell and City.
The proud Souter and Scotsman presented one of director Gerald Reilly’s Guardian of Scotland scarves – to commemorate William Wallace’s historic appointment at the Kirk o’ the Forest in Selkirk – to City boss Roberto Mancini at a charity Burns night last year at the Etihad Stadium, attended by a party of 26 from the Royal Burgh.
Gerald said: “Roberto Mancini wore one of our scarves on the night and one thing led to another, and the idea for the Manchester Blues tartan was born.
“Craig took the idea to his friend Bernard Halford (City life president) who, along with Mike Summerbee, presented it to the board and it was approved.
“Tartan is timeless and when I saw the pallet of Manchester City colours sent to me by the club I knew they would work beautifully.
“I am absolutely sure that this product will confirm Scotland and the Scottish Borders’ world-class reputation for designing and producing the finest quality cashmere and lambswool fabrics in the world.”
Bernard, who previously visited the football club to open its Bobby Johnstone Pavilion in 2003 and appeared as a guest speaker at a charity event in the rugby club last year, describes the former Hibs and Scotland player as a “genius and personal friend”.
The tartan launch could not have come at a better time – City have their best chance in decades of lifting English football’s top league title, while the 10th anniversary of Bobby’s death is merely weeks away.
Bernard added: “It is fantastic for the club and when the supporters see the products in the club store I am sure they will love them.”
The design, produced with merchandising giant Kitbag, has been trademarked and lodged with the Scottish register of tartans and the Scottish Tartans Authority to protect its exclusivity. But, like Bobby’s footballing talents, it is unlikely anyone will be able to copy the class of the Manchester Blues.
Selkirk-Manchester City link strengthened by material gain
Published on Saturday 30 July 2011 07:00
THE bond was created in 1955 – but 56 years later Selkirk and Manchester City Football Club remain closer than ever.
The Royal Burgh and the biggest-spending English Premier League club seem an unlikely match to an outside observer.
But a partnership formed, thanks to Souter Bobby Johnstone and his £22,000 move to City during the mid-50s – a bargain compared to the £38million the club coughed up for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero this week - has now been recognised by a special Manchester Blues tartan.
The official launch of the A S Campbell design, which will be reproduced for scarves, ties and stadium rugs in the club’s shops, took place in Lochcarron last Friday, accompanied by a host of well-known Selkirk speakers and musicians.
Tommy Knox was MC for the night, while music was provided by the town’s own Gael Force and Fiona Scott.
Hilary Buchan of Lochcarron led the speeches, along with businessman Craig Douglas, who helped broker the deal between A S Campbell and City.
The proud Souter and Scotsman presented one of director Gerald Reilly’s Guardian of Scotland scarves – to commemorate William Wallace’s historic appointment at the Kirk o’ the Forest in Selkirk – to City boss Roberto Mancini at a charity Burns night last year at the Etihad Stadium, attended by a party of 26 from the Royal Burgh.
Gerald said: “Roberto Mancini wore one of our scarves on the night and one thing led to another, and the idea for the Manchester Blues tartan was born.
“Craig took the idea to his friend Bernard Halford (City life president) who, along with Mike Summerbee, presented it to the board and it was approved.
“Tartan is timeless and when I saw the pallet of Manchester City colours sent to me by the club I knew they would work beautifully.
“I am absolutely sure that this product will confirm Scotland and the Scottish Borders’ world-class reputation for designing and producing the finest quality cashmere and lambswool fabrics in the world.”
Bernard, who previously visited the football club to open its Bobby Johnstone Pavilion in 2003 and appeared as a guest speaker at a charity event in the rugby club last year, describes the former Hibs and Scotland player as a “genius and personal friend”.
The tartan launch could not have come at a better time – City have their best chance in decades of lifting English football’s top league title, while the 10th anniversary of Bobby’s death is merely weeks away.
Bernard added: “It is fantastic for the club and when the supporters see the products in the club store I am sure they will love them.”
The design, produced with merchandising giant Kitbag, has been trademarked and lodged with the Scottish register of tartans and the Scottish Tartans Authority to protect its exclusivity. But, like Bobby’s footballing talents, it is unlikely anyone will be able to copy the class of the Manchester Blues.