Rangers fans were in uproar after it emerged that Sports Direct were still going to be involved with the Ibrox side’s latest kit deal with Castore despite assurances that they were forever banished by the club.
Define exclusive? SD’s charm offensive is flattering….
Have Castore chosen SD as an ‘external’ stockist? @ibroxrocks @GrandmasterSuck @4ladshadadream
Via SD Facebook. pic.twitter.com/qL8xyKCHwy— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) July 1, 2020
After a successful launch day for the new home strip in which tens of thousands of kits had been sold, fans were dealt a blow when Sports Direct posted an advert on their Facebook page claiming to be “exclusive” stockists of the new Rangers strip ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Castore were involved in a series of fan engagement interviews in which they made it clear that Mike Ashley and Sports Direct no longer had any ties to the club and the latest news was seen as a blow by loyal supporters that have been frustrated at years of abuse at the hands of the retail mogul.
They took to Twitter in response to the Facebook advert, demanding clarity from the club and disappointment that it appears they have been lied to after the new deal was announced.
Sports Direct selling the new Kit on 1st August 2020??? Explain cause surely we aren’t back in bed with that crook!!!!!!!
— Wendy (@whill69) July 1, 2020
Think i will be cancelling my pre order tonight if castore are linked way sports direct @rangersfc
Clarify this situation for over 30K who have pre ordered 😡
— True Blues Loyal®️™️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@TrueBluesLoyal) July 1, 2020
If this statement doesn’t say Sports Direct will not be selling the new shirt and have nothing to do with any of Rangers retail operations The people at the top have major questions to answer.
— ℛangers ℛadio (@RangersRadioRFC) July 1, 2020
Imo Sports Direct should not be able to make money from Rangers merchandise , it’s that simple. I really don’t understand fans who think it’s trivial & not important. If we sold 40-50,000 today we could easily sell another 40-50,000 in the next month if ready
— Chris Smith (@Obanlad1970) July 1, 2020
If Sports Direct are involved in any form then Rangers and Castore need to give us some sort of explanation.
I refuse to believe Castore and Rangers have lied to us about not being involved with them, if we are then it’s embarrassing to say the least.
— 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 (@RakoTuke) July 1, 2020
Did Rangers get us to buy so early as they knew sports direct would sell them from august 1st? 👀
Club needs to give an answer to fans asap. I believe it will just be a case of don’t buy from SD and just stick to Castore/Rangers links. The only worrying word is ‘exclusively’ 🤔
— Steely (@OhItsSteely) July 1, 2020
The issue of Ashley being able to sell the strips is one thing, the fact that – for a second time – Gers fans believed they were rid of him is another altogether and may have to face up to the fact that he won’t ever go away until such a time as he is done with retail. Rangers were here before him and will still be around after him.