Saints answer shirt critics (From Warrington Guardian)

Saints answer shirt critics

SAINTS have responded this week to those angry rugby fans who have criticised the newly released team shirt as being too flimsy. Knowsley Road officials say the shirt is the most technically advanced they have produced and is specially designed to meet the exacting demands of modern players.

The lightweight style £40 jersey went on sale just under a fortnight ago. Saints say 2,000 were sold on the first two days of its release.

But some fans say they are unhappy with the kit. They claim it is paper-thin. One angry fan said he had seen "thicker toilet roll".

Another supporter who e-mailed the Star said: "The material was so thin it was almost see through and the Saints logo and sponsor's name were little more than stickers."

But Saints say they have had few complaints and the jersey is the "most technically advanced they have ever had made".

In a statement, Saints say three supporters have returned the shirts to Saints and received full refunds. In addition the club has received one letter of complaint, while Puma have two.

Saints list "four fantastic facts" about the jersey:

"The fabric is of the highest quality, manufactured at Cloverbrook UK and is tested for stretch, pilling, colour fastness and snagging to international standards and to achieve the Puma standard reached a score of at least four out of five.

"The playing weight of the shirt has been designed to meet the needs of the professionals at the club in terms of water retention, 'breathability' and overall strength. The replica shirts are manufactured to the same high quality specifications.

"To ensure accuracy on every one of the ten thousand shirts produced, including the players' match shirts, the club badge and Puma branding has been applied within the print of the fabric.

"The application of the all: sports logo is also a step forward from 2003 - the application is eco-friendly based upon the social and environmental standards set out by Puma international in their guidelines.

"The shirt will wash and wear to a high standard for years to come, and knowing the significant advances had been made to the 2003 kit, Puma took the decision to print a further set of washing guidelines attached to the label of every shirt, as well as those printed on the inside label - follow those and you will enjoy this shirt for years to come."