Bradford City Football Club’s shop has been accused of scoring a commercial own goal after it revealed record-breaking sales of its replica home shirt mean it will have no more in stock until after Christmas.
The company which runs the League One club’s shop has “apologised profusely” to fans hoping to snap up the shirts as festive gifts, saying it has been told an order for extra stock will not arrive until early January.
The 2013-14 home shirts went on sale earlier than initially planned after the Bantams reached the League Two play-off final, but despite extra stock being ordered in to meet demand, there are none left to buy.
A spokesman for the Just Sport group, which runs the shop at Valley Parade, said the colour scheme of the shirt is bespoke to the club and it had made a request to manufacturer Nike for extra stock.
He added: “We had been hopeful that a delivery of these would arrive pre-Christmas, but we have been informed by Nike that, despite the best efforts of all parties involved, the shirts will not arrive until early January.
“We wish to apologise profusely for supporters who have been trying to obtain a home shirt from the club shop and to those supporters who were hoping to get the shirts as Christmas gifts for fellow supporters.”
Fans have taken to internet forums and social networking sites to complain.
On the club’s official Facebook page, Jessica Menzies wrote: “Can't believe your shop website says kits will not be in stock in time for Christmas. It is the only thing my little boy had asked for – disappointed is not the word!”
On Twitter, @mickyoi wrote: “My dad was not happy being unable to buy a shirt for my niece in South Africa.”
Ben Garland said: “Absolute joke.”
Just Sport has said it will now offer supporters a 20 per cent discount on any home shirts pre-ordered before Christmas Eve and will issue a voucher which can be redeemed against the shirt when stock arrives in January.
Margaret Evans, of Skipton, said she had been told the situation was the same with replica away shirts. She had hoped to buy two for grandchildren Elliot, 11, and eight-year-old Chloe.
“Coming up to Christmas and given that they have had a massive season, I thought it was bad form,” she said.
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