Football Shirt Culture.com

Following the launch of their new club crest, Wigan Athletic announced that the new home kit for the 2008-09 Premier League season will be launched on July 15th.

Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan says: "Alongside our principal partner JJB, we have been working on the new home kit for some time and we know that it will be a winner. I am delighted to confirm that the team will again be playing in blue and whites stripes but the exact design is a closely guarded secret until its release."

The shirt will feature the blue and white stripes that adorned the shirt during the club's exciting recent past; during the Club's promotion to the Premier League in 2005, when the club was elected to the Football League back in 1978 and of course, last season. In addition, the new kit will feature the Club's new crest, a new logo for JJB and a new technical partner in Champion. When released the kit will be available through JJB stores, wiganathleticmegastore and selected alternative retailers.

The new home kit design is, as expected, a secret. However, a sneak preview has been released to whet the appetite of supporters before release, clearly showing the blue and white stripes with the new crest situated on the shirt's left breast. The new kit can be pre-ordered from June 10th and everyone on the Club's database will receive an email around June 7th showing the new kit in full with the chance to pre-order. These pre-orders will be delivered on the official release/launch date of July 15th.

JJB Sports Chief Executive Chris Ronnie said "It is with great pleasure that we continue our long association with Wigan Athletic. JJB Sports have signed an extensive deal with the well known and popular American and European Sports brand Champion. The Champion brand is a New and Exclusive Sports Brand to JJB Sports and Champion products are already available within JJB Sports Stores with sales being very positive. We are looking forward to introducing the Champion brand to Wigan Athletic and we are hopeful that all Latics fans will like the new look on the New Home Kit and Training Range with the introduction of a new energetic sports brand. These are exciting times and everyone at JJB Sports wishes Wigan Athletic and their fans best wishes for the forthcoming season".

The team will wear the new kit for the very first time on the pre-season tour of Austria with games commencing on 19th July. In addition to the new home kit a new away shirt will also be launched (in August) with the team again due to wear this new kit during pre-season. Again, supporters will be given the opportunity for a sneak preview in advance of the official launch.