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

Canterbury, one of the world’s leading sports brands, 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, Canterbury’s deal with Preston will start at the beginning of the 2009/10 season.

PNE Chairman Derek Shaw said:

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 training wear 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.

In other football shirt news, Queens Park Rangers Football Club have revealed the new 09/10 home kit made by Lotto.

The strip, which will be worn by the R’s first team in their final home fixture of the season against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 25th April, features the iconic blue and white hoops, and - back by popular demand - the symbolic white shorts.

Club captain Martin Rowlands is a huge advocate of the new kit and told the official club website:

The blue and white hoops are the iconic image of QPR and the designers have got it spot on with this new kit.

Lotto have done a fantastic job with the materials and the cut of the shirt and I’m sure the fans will be as delighted as all the players are with the new design.

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