When I started playing senior league cricket back in the 1980s, it was amazing what was deemed acceptable in terms of cricket clothing! The closest we got to having a team kit was a knitted sweater with the club badge on it. Everything else, shirt, trousers (or dare I say flannels?) were as you bought them from the local sports shop. White work or school shirts could easily double up as a playing shirt, how times have changed! These days every garment, from the stuff you turn up in, to your playing kit must be in the club’s colours and fully co-ordinated.
The result is that cricket teams look better, more professional and most importantly, more together as a team. However, finding a good long-term supplier who can tick all the boxes is a challenge.
In 2016 I was looking for a teamwear brand for my own club and as the 1st Team Manager and someone ‘in the industry’ I was given the poison chalice of finding our next supplier. The first thing I did was to ask our B3 customers who they used and if they were happy? I carried out a survey of over 200 clubs and asked them to rate their various suppliers on the important factors including style, quality, choice, value for money and last but not least, service.
There were some very reputable brands out there doing a good job, but there were also a lot of clubs who had suffered at the hands of companies who made over ambitious promises and not lasted the course. When all the feedback was collated, there was one company that came out most credible overall; Stuart Surridge.
Working with Stuart Surridge
Armed with this data, I arranged a meeting at SS headquarters in Burnley to discuss my own clubs’ requirements but also with a view to offering a teamwear service to other clubs through B3.
I met with their owner, Charles Lord, and immediately liked the fact that I was dealing with someone who cared passionately about getting things right. He was clearly here to stay and proud of the company’s long history. My proposition to Charles was straight forward, help me sort my own club out, lets get the pricing and service right and then I’ll recommend you to other clubs who ask us about teamwear.
Teething Troubles
I’m pleased to say that for 2 years now we have had a positive experience with SS, not perfect but when there is a problem, we have been able to solve it pretty quickly. The quality of the garments and customisation has been great, but we did have the odd issue on stock levels and delivery times. I have found that by working with the forecasting guys at SS and educating my own players and parents not to leave it too late, we have almost eradicated the problems.
Launching B3 Teamwear
In conjunction with SS, we have now launched B3 Teamwear to offer a ‘managed service’ to other cricket clubs. We have negotiated some very favourable terms and trimmed our own margins to ensure our customers get a superb range of high-quality garments at unbeatable prices!
Our aim is to make sorting and managing your clubs playing kit and teamwear as easy as possible. Here’s how we achieve that:
We will help you put together the most suitable range of products and sizes.
We will handle any customisation requirements you have, including club badges, sponsors logos, names, numbers, and initials …. we will advise and sort this for you.
Once the above is sorted, we will set up and enable your own personalised Club Webshop.
On an ongoing basis, we will ensure you get the very best service in the cricket teamwear marketplace.
Custom Flexibility and T20 Kits
Another growing demand in our changing game, is the need to have full colour kits for T20 and pink/white ball cricket. Surridge offers a sublimated coloured kit, which can be individually designed and with as many sponsors logos at competitive prices.
Superb Value for Money
B3 Teamwear customers will get the same deal as my own club. Here’s a link to our SS Webshop: Papplewick and Linby Webshop
We are confident that we can save your players money on any like for like quality of garment.
Worn by the County & T20 Champions!
The Stuart Surridge range is of the highest quality materials and as worn by Essex CCC, who won both the County Champions and the T20 Blast last season!
Find Out More
To learn more about the B3 Managed Teamwear Service – Click on the link below to receive the full info and price list.