When young Ethan Haughey runs on to the pitch with his Dunmow Rovers teammates, he will be able to take pride in the fact that he designed the football shirt he wears.
The green and yellow kit colours – which were originally chosen by the club’s founders Bill and Norah Pratt back in 1975 – has been especially-made to incorporate the 11-year-old’s design.
Ethan, who plays for the Under 11s, won an internal competition where everyone in the club – which plays in the Essex, Blackwater and Dengie League – was invited to submit a design for the new kit.
Frank Haughey is a coach, club child welfare officer, mini strikers coach, committee member and – of course – proud dad to Ethan and his brother Jacob, who plays for the under 10s Tigers side. He said: “We wanted to do something different for this new kit – which has been paid for with a £450 donation from Tarmac.
“We received 15 stunning designs and Ethan’s scored a winner. It really gives the kids a sense of belonging and affinity to the club. They are obviously proud to run out in – literally – their own kit.”
Dunmow Rovers – the club changed its name from Dunmow Rhodes Youth Football Club in 2020 – has 17 teams, ranging from the mini strikers (for four to six-year-olds) up to under 14s. More than 230 youngsters, including girls, now play for the club.
“The £450 pays for my team of 13 players to have a kit with top ups for the next two years,” added Frank. “The club is a non-profit organisation so any money we get via sponsorship, donations or club events goes straight back in to making sure the kids have the equipment and ground facilities for training and to play games each week.”
Toby Pyper, regional director Tarmac (South), said: “At Tarmac we are delighted to be able to support local communities where we operate. It is a great idea to let the young players come up with the design for their own kit and I’m sure they will be doubly-proud when they take to the pitch on match days.”
Picture – Dunmow Rovers Under 11s sporting their newly-designed shirts with Ethan Haughey (back row, second right) standing next to his proud dad Frank.
