Sales of Town’s new blackout third strip hit record levels following its launch yesterday.

The club say more than 3,000 supporters - and presumably plenty of Ed Sheeran fans - pre-ordered the kit, which was designed in collaboration with the Framlingham-based pop star and Blues sponsor, after it was made available at lunchtime. Sales have surpassed those of the home kit on its first day.

“I think we’ve ended up with three really unique and strong kits," Paul Macro, Town’s head of retail operations, told iFollow Ipswich.

“They are all, at this moment, record selling shirts. We’ve never had sales like this before.

“It is a really scary challenge to see what we can do next year to try and top them, but we’re working on that now.”

Town say pre-orders are expected to be dispatched towards the middle of September with shirts on general sale late in the same month.

Meanwhile, Sheeran has been wearing the new shirt while making a video in London with Papoose and Big Narstie.

Photo: ITFC

RonFearonsHair added 15:54 - Aug 24 “It is a really scary challenge to see what we can do next year to try and top them, but we're working on that now.” You could always appreciate and reward the supporters' loyalty by giving them a two-year shelf life?
15

Kropotkin123 added 16:03 - Aug 24 Nothing stops you wearing them beyond a year. I still use last year's for exercise and will get this year's too.
9

Vancouver_Blue added 16:07 - Aug 24 The only ones I don't wear anymore are the Marcus Evans sponsored ones. I even wear my Powergen and Eon ones ocassionally!
5

mrfixit426 added 16:17 - Aug 24 Keep the shirts for two years but make them half price at the beginning of next season. How about that? Buck the trend.
-2

Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:00 - Aug 24 Are you all on forums for Top Shop and Primark saying they should only design a shirt every 2 years? Football clubs are very small business (a big Sainsburys will have more turnover than any of the premier league teams), they only make 3 kits a year. If you don't want one enough to pay the money for one then don't get it but please stop moaning as if you are being forced to buy it. The club are doing what any small business should be doing and selling stuff people want to buy. This turnover is really clearly being put into improving the club/team/stadium/match day experience and if you don't buy a shirt you can get that for free. That's a genuine bargain.

6

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:02 - Aug 24 Greene King 2000-2001. Still wear it. Great shirt. Don't really get the need to buy a new one every year.
4

Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:03 - Aug 24 I live abroad, I watch every match on Ifollow and I bought the shirt. If you are lucky enough to get to the home games then - you're welcome!
4

Skip73 added 17:30 - Aug 24 Some people will moan about anything!
5

Unhinged_dynamo added 17:57 - Aug 24 Firstly it's a stunning shirt that looks really good out and about on the street. Secondly this clip of Ed is all over my instagram and not necessarily on the itfc pages etc, this is advertising and pr gold for the club and will only drive revenue up
13

Bluearmy71 added 19:47 - Aug 24 Like everything else in football nowadays its commercial, people choose to buy the shirts they produce every year, if there is no demand there is no sale, if the people stopped buying them they wouldn't produce new ones so often, only the consumer has the power to stop the production and until everyone is on board with the club producing a new shirt evert 5 years for example I'm afraid it is what it is and its tough on those who can't afford a new shirt every year, as people have said its a business and businesses are there to make money not care about your feeling on the matter!! I myself have been in a position now for years where the expense of a new shirt isn't justifiable no matter how much I'd love one. if you don't have the cash just go without or if you can save up for one or wait until they reduce it and wear last years shirt, but at the end of the day its not about how new the shirt you wear is its the pride you feel wearing our colours that counts!!

3

bluearmy81 added 19:58 - Aug 24 Whatever shirt is worn by supporters, whether it be the new designs or those of years gone by. The real importance is the fact that each design shows the club badge.( which obviously it does)Therefore in reality all shirts have a never ending shelf life and can be worn for years to come
6

Skip73 added 23:03 - Aug 24 Bluearmy. I agree but lets consign the Evans shirts to history.
1

bobble added 00:26 - Aug 25 surely buying some black dye at the supermarket would be a lot cheaper ??
2

Bluedocker added 00:38 - Aug 25 Personally I like it better than the home shirt... so I'll be buying one
1

jayceee added 07:46 - Aug 25 As I side note, I wonder how many new fans we have thanks to Sheeran? Not exactly a fan of his music, but a fan of him nevertheless :)
0

Linkboy13 added 08:36 - Aug 25 Personally never liked black kits only at funerals. How many people would have a black kit as their home strip not many. At the moment we are all on a high at Ipswich and would buy any colour shirt especially with Ed Sheeran's name on it. Seing the North stand full of black shirts depresses me . We could wear black when a ex player had just past away apart from that it's COYBlues for me.

2

Orraman added 10:41 - Aug 25 As Linkboy states, we are aiming to make the stadium, especially the Sir Bobby stand a wall of blue. Fat chance of that if it looks like half the fans have just arrived from a funeral. If you really feel the need to wear this rip off then please do so when you go out at night to pubs or clubs but please keep Portman Rd BLUE
3

NITFC added 13:19 - Aug 25 I love the success of everything that the club brings out right now - with more than a little help from the world's biggest name in music. But, like the last two posts, I'm not a fan of black which I associate with boring and dirty football teams. It's blue all the way for me
1

Linkboy13 added 15:44 - Aug 25 Ed Sheeran's making a lot of money for the club expect a fourth shirt ready for the Christmas period . Although not a fan of his music he's a great ambassador for the club and a decent down to earth bloke.
0

NITFC added 17:13 - Aug 25 Linkboy - I am a fan of his music but you are spot on - "he's a great ambassador for the club and a decent down to earth bloke"
0

Robert_Garrett added 15:50 - Aug 26 Bought some to smuggle out as the dutch customs would confiscate them because of Brexit. Time to qualify for Europe again or go on a post-covid gant somewhere foreign?
0

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