Toe Poke, the Dumfries based football sports brand, has launched a fantastic new range of clothes to celebrate the Scotland and England international rivalry.
On the 12th September in Glasgow, the two nations play a friendly match to commemorate the first ever football international game, that took place 150 years ago.
A new Toe Poke design takes a tongue in cheek approach to Scotland’s victory over England in 1976, when King Kenny Dalglish scored the winning goal through England goalkeeper Ray Clemence’s legs. More than 85,000 spectators took in the match.
Dumfries now boasts its own clothing brand, Toe Poke, which has enormous potential to grow and develop with the support of local people. The initiative has also established Scotland’s only football fans owned sports brand. The range of clothing, now available on the Toe Poke website, www.toepokescotland.com is aimed at fans of our national teams – before Toe Poke clothing was introduced, there was a poverty of choice for Scotland supporters who want to show off their colours, without wearing replica jerseys.
Toe Poke founder and Director Ian Barr said, “It’s always memorable when Scotland play England at football, and we’ve had some stunning victories over the years. Toe Poke clothes are aimed at all ages, but in particular for older fans of the Scottish National Teams, so people can wear our stylish clothes and enjoy our heritage designs. All Toe Poke profits in time will be recycled into the Dumfries economy and support football good causes, unlike the global sports brands, who drain money from the markets in which they operate.
“The inspiration for the Toe Poke brand comes from a famous Scottish National Team goal at the 1982 Spanish World Cup. Scotland were playing Brazil in a group match and scored a brilliant goal by David Narey, that somewhat, unfortunately, was described as a ‘toe poke’ by the English summariser covering the match, Jimmy Hill. If you mention the Toe Poke goal, it still makes people smile.” Toe Poke clothing in the short term can only be purchased online, though the Company intends in time to establish retail partnerships in and around Dumfries, and to sell directly at local markets.
Alan Russell, Chief Executive of Supporters Direct Scotland said, “It’s been great to see the Toe Poke project get off the ground, and I’m sure the latest designs of King Kenny in action will be a huge hit with Scottish football fans! Celebrating the highlights of our footballing past can help to strengthen the foundations of our future, and Toe Poke’s mission to invest in grassroots football is one we hope everyone can get behind.” The stylish clothes will be prepared and distributed by Lochmaben company Rostrum Sportwear.
For full information go to www.toepokescotland.com
