The Football Association of Ireland have announced a partnership with Irish menswear brand Benetti to become official tailor.
The sponsorship was launched by Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill at the Aviva Stadium prior to his departure for the friendly against Mexico in Giants Stadium this Thursday.
It will see the Irish brand exclusively design and supply casual and formal wear to the Republic of Ireland men’s senior team until 2020.
Football has a long tradition of relationships with menswear companies and the image of teams wearing uniform suits on departure to big tournaments or walking the pitch before an important cup final is an iconic one for many sports fans.
England’s suits for the last World Cup were produced by Marks and Spencer’s while Germany stuck to their roots on the way to winning the trophy by signing up to wear Hugo Boss.
Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously revealed he knew his team would beat Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup Final as soon as he saw the white suits that they were wearing for the walkabout on the Wembley turf before the game.
Established three years after that Cup Final and doubtless learning a thing or two about what might work in football along the way, Benetti have grown to be a leading player in the Irish menswear market supplying approximately 140 independent stores across Ireland.
“To partner with the Republic of Ireland teams is the perfect fit for us,” said Serena Farrell, a spokesperson for Benetti.
“As a 100% Irish brand, Benetti will take pride in ensuring that the squads look well off the pitch for the next three years as they represent their country.”
“We are delighted to announce this link-up with Benetti, who are an established and respected brand in the Irish market,” added FAI CEO John Delaney.
Former Irish International Stephen Hunt is an ambassador for the brand and is pictured above with Sean St ledger modelling suits in the range. “The majority of top footballers have a keen interest in fashion and what they wear, so a partnership like this is mutually beneficial,” he said at yesterday’s launch.
“The Benetti range is ahead of anything else you see on the Irish market and as a footballer representing your country you want to take pride and have confidence in how you look arriving for a game.”
