Football Shirt Culture.com

Preston North End have announced a record kit deal with one of the world's leading sports brands to begin from the start of the 2009/10 season.

The Lilywhites have entered into an exciting three-year partnership with Canterbury of New Zealand to supply all their first team, youth team, women's team, centre of excellence with match kit and training apparel.

Canterbury has made huge strides into the football market over recent years with its revolutionary kit design and technology being hailed by players and fans alike, already renowned for being the world's foremost rugby brand.

The revolutionary range of apparel to be worn by all the Club's stars of the present and future will include Canterbury's IonX BaseLayer, a state of the art technology which creates a process of ionisation in the body, raising athletes' performance levels and speeding up recovery time.

PNE Chairman Derek Shaw was delighted to be able to announce the partnership, "We are delighted to be teaming up with such a successful and progressive manufacturer as Canterbury of New Zealand. The new designs for both the match kit and trainingwear have involved a lot of people and a lot of time and effort and I am sure the supporters will be impressed with both the design and quality of the products we will be able to offer from next season."

Top scorer Neil Mellor, who has had an opportunity to see the new apparel up close added: "The kits are excellent! I am looking forward to wearing them with pride. Players who have worn Canterbury at other Clubs have always been very impressed by its quality and this looks just as good. I am sure the fans will be impressed and I hope to score plenty of goals in it."

Top scorer Neil Mellor, who has had an opportunity to see the new apparel up close added: "The kits are excellent! I am looking forward to wearing them with pride. Players who have worn Canterbury at other Clubs have always been very impressed by its quality and this looks just as good. I am sure the fans will be impressed and I hope to score plenty of goals in it."

Mostyn Thomas, Global Head of Marketing for Canterbury, said: "Canterbury is delighted to announce this partnership with Preston North End as it associates the brand with another top level English football club and one which is steeped in a rich history.

"The brand's move into football has proven to be hugely successful, with players and supporters highlighting the quality of the kits produced as a key reason behind its popularity. Preston is a forward thinking club and everyone at Canterbury is looking forward to being part of the side's progress over the coming seasons".

The Club will unveil the new home and away strip shortly with pre-orders being taken from the 18th April. The kit will go on sale from the end of May 2009 and will be worn from the first pre-season game, when the fixtures are scheduled, in July.

Thanks to Paul