admin“Ruined”: Everton Fans Unanimously Criticize New 2025/26 Home Kit
The unveiling of Everton’s 2025/26 home kit has triggered a wave of dismay and widespread criticism among the Goodison Park faithful, with a clear consensus emerging on social media: the new design is “ruined.” While the club and kit manufacturer Castore claim inspiration from the “Royal Blue Mersey” for its “mesmeric patterned wave,” fans are far from impressed, pointing to a range of issues that collectively sour the launch of what should be a landmark kit for their inaugural season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The most prominent complaint revolves around the very “wave” pattern that the club highlights. Described variously as “zig-zagging,” “wavy blue lines,” and even “looking like a seventies tank top,” the graphic element on the traditional royal blue fabric has been universally panned. Many supporters feel it clashes with Everton’s classic aesthetic, with comments ranging from “horrible and lazy” to “awful” and “aggressively mid.” The desire for a clean, traditional Everton shirt seems to have been overlooked in favour of a design that, for many, feels forced and aesthetically unpleasing. Some have suggested it bears more resemblance to an Atlético Madrid shirt than a classic Everton strip.
Beyond the divisive pattern, the ongoing partnership with Castore continues to be a sore point. A significant portion of the fanbase expresses a strong desire for the club to move on from the manufacturer, citing concerns over quality and previous kit designs. Phrases like “The sooner Castore go, the better” and “Castore need binned ASAP” are prevalent, reflecting a deeper dissatisfaction with the brand itself, not just this particular kit. This sentiment is amplified by reports of Castore’s quality issues, with some fans lamenting that “everything peels off.”
Furthermore, the persistent presence of the Stake sponsor on the front of the shirt continues to draw ire. Despite a ban on betting sponsors from the 2026/27 season onwards, Everton will feature Stake for one more year. This is particularly frustrating for fans given the sponsor’s unpopularity and the recent ban from operating in the UK, leading to a perceived hypocrisy and a desire for cleaner, sponsor-free shirts. While the club has confirmed that limited sponsor-free versions will be available, the prominent display of the betting logo on the primary kit remains a significant point of contention.
The price point of the new kit has also raised eyebrows, with the replica version reportedly retailing for a hefty £80. This, coupled with the perceived lack of design quality, makes the purchase a hard sell for many loyal supporters.
In essence, what was intended to be a celebratory kit for a new era at a new stadium has instead become a lightning rod for fan frustration. The overwhelming sentiment is that the new home kit is a missed opportunity, “ruined” by a questionable design, an unpopular kit manufacturer, and an unwanted sponsor. While a small minority might find it a “grower” or even “like it,” the dominant narrative among Evertonians is one of profound disappointment.
admin
