NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS PLAYING STRIP HISTORY

By Oliver Crick

2000-2001

Colours: Blue, Green & White

Supplier: STAG

Sponsors: n/a

Honours Won: n/a

With many of the initial squad and in particular the clubs founders coming from Nottingham Trent University, it was only natural that the club colours chosen were Blue, (Trent) Green and White.

Supplied by Stag this kit was almost identical to the Nottingham Trent University shirt which many of the founder players had worn in years previous. The main colour was Blue with the shirt then having a Chevron design made up of Green and White irregular hoops.

The shorts were Blue and manufactured in a 'silky' material with the socks being a blue and green hooped design, one which would become a regular feature of Outlaws kits in the future.

Another feature of this first kit that would become a regular was having the club name 'Outlaws' across the shoulders.

The club logo was simple and was a mixture of a relatively modern image with traditional text around the edge: 'Nottingham Outlaws R.L.F.C'.

2002-2003

Colours: Blue, Green & White

Supplier: STAG

Sponsors: Mycil

Honours Won: 2002 Keyworth Sevens Winners, 2003 North Midlands Champions

For the 2002 season the Outlaws remained with Stag as the kit supplier and utilised the traditional club colours of Blue, Green and White. The shirt design however moved away from the original Chevron idea of 2000.

Although not a traditional Rugby League kit it was one which was contemporary with the time and mirrored a design which was being used by a number of clubs both Professional and Amateur. The predominant colour remained as Blue with Green piping on the sides and a small white trim between the two, the latter colour noticeably losing prominence from the previous season.

The shorts were Blue and manufactured in a 'silky' material with the socks retaining the blue and green hoops. For the 2002 season the Nottingham Outlaws also obtained their first ever kit sponsor in Mycil. This was an 'Athlete's Foot' powder manufactured by The Boots Company.

The club logo remained the same as that utilised on the original kit with another constant being 'Outlaws' emblazoned across the shoulders. This would however be the last time that an Outlaws kit would feature this logo and the last time the text 'R.L.F.C' would feature.

Although the kit was utilised in both 2002 and 2003 the latter date saw a new club logo launched and utilised on other Outlaws apparel. The idea was to bring the club up to date with many of the prominent clubs in the Professional ranks and although it was a more modern design it unfortunately lacked clarity and standout when used on clothing. It would therefore be dropped after only one year of use and despite being used on Merchandise it was never used on a playing strip.

2004-2005

Colours: White, Blue & Green

Supplier: Kukri

Sponsors: Central Telecom, Physio Direct, Upperton

Honours Won: 2004 North Midlands Champions, 2005 East Midlands Challenge Cup Winners

Never in the short history of the Outlaws had so much thought and planning gone into the design of the kit as that which was to be used in the 2004 and 2005 season. Not only was there a significant change in the appearance of the kit but it also came complete with a new club logo. Both of these innovations were aimed at giving the club a contemporary feel that would last well into the future and provide Nottingham Outlaws with a look that would become synonymous with the club. To achieve these goals the club turned to manufacturer Kukri to supply both kit and training gear.

The design brief was simple - produce a kit that was a true Rugby League kit and that could be kept for years to come. It was therefore decided that the 'V' or Chevron was to be used and that this would be in the club colours of Blue and Green. A major change was the prominence of the colour White in the new strip. This was to give a fresher look in the summer season and also to better reflect the heat which players faced in the summer months.

The shorts were also predominantly white with a blue and green trim down the sides. The inspiration for this design was taken from Rugby League kits of the 1980's although the Outlaws version were not cut quite as high! A first for the Outlaws was also having the club logo embroidered on the shorts - all aimed at adding that extra bit of quality to an area which had often been ignored on previous strips.

It was decided that the socks would be green and blue hoops, this was a design that had been used in the past and it was felt this would ensure a degree of consistency in the new strip and also fit the design brief of being a true Rugby League kit. It was also the same design that had been used on Nottingham Trent University strips of previous years and therefore acknowledged the origin of many of the current crop of Outlaws players.

Another first for the Outlaws was the appearance of multiple sponsors on the new strip - three in total. Main sponsors on the front of the shirts were Central Telecom, Physio Direct were on the right-hand sleeve and Club Chairman of the time Richard Johnson's company, Upperton, appeared on the left-hand sleeve. All of this meant the Outlaws received record sponsorship in 2004 and uncovered a revenue stream which had not been fully explored in previous years.

The change in club logo was to provide more distinction in the Outlaws badge. Feedback from players and supporters had said the previous logo was unclear and did not stand out when placed against any of the club colours. It was therefore decided to follow the design brief for the kit and produce a contemporary logo but one which would stand the test of time and also be clear against a number of different backgrounds. The new logo was designed by Joe Shepherd in the early parts of 2004.

2004 also saw the first set of official training gear for the Outlaws with Kukri / Outlaws branded T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Club Shorts, Waterproof Fleece Training Top and Waterproof Bottoms.

2005 - Limited Edition Rotterdam Kit

Colours: Black, Blue & Green

Supplier: Ravensport

Sponsors: Ravensport

Honours Won: 2005 Rotterdam International 9s Cup Winners

In 2005 the Nottingham Outlaws embarked on their first Official Club Tour to the Rotterdam International 9s Rugby League Tournament*. For this special occasion the club also decided to get a brand new Limited Edition kit manufactured. Each player was able to select the sizes they wanted and also the number they would like on the back. They then retained the kit as a memento of the Tour.

Due to their ability to turn a kit around in a very short space of time the club purchased the kit from Ravensport in West Yorkshire. The manufacturer, with a long tradition in Rugby League, also agreed to sponsor the kit and their name appeared on the front of the shirts.

The club decided to stick with the now customary Green and Blue 'V' which had proved such a success on the club's home strip but decided that it would this time extend to a full 'V' and the sponsor would go through the middle.

The predominant colour was changed from white to black to reflect the limited edition nature of the kit and ensure that those who came on the tour had something different from the home strip which had been used in the regular season. The shirt was completed with 'Outlaws' across the shoulders and 'Rotterdam '05' beneath the number. The latter of which was outlined in Orange in recognition of the club's visit to Holland.

The shorts for the Rotterdam strip were also black with a green and blue trim while the socks remained exactly the same as those used in the home strip of 2004 & 2005 - the distinctive green and blue hoops.

The Tour proved successful as the Outlaws came out winners of the Rotterdam International 9s Cup Competition.

* The club did also go to the Rotterdam 9s in 2004 but in a smaller capacity. It was most definitely the forerunner for 2005 though and without the commitment of one Mr. Stewart Redhead neither trips would have gone ahead.