Newport County Collaborates with Skindred for Reggae-Inspired Football Shirt

Newport County has collaborated with Mobo-winning band Skindred to produce a unique shirt, drawing inspiration from the city’s Caribbean community. Last year, Skindred’s album Smile, which fuses reggae, punk, and heavy metal, achieved the number two position in the UK charts. Benji Webbe, the lead singer, stated: “Football and music unite people, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our hometown roots than by supporting Newport County.” This reggae-themed design will be incorporated into Newport’s kit for their upcoming League Two match against Carlisle on Saturday. Mr. Webbe, who hails from the Pillgwenlly area of the city, noted the strong bond between the band and Newport, stating that for them to be part of the team’s official kit is “something dreams are made of”. He further added: “The shirt for me is a Rasta style shirt,” continuing, “Rasta for me is community, Rasta for me is love, and Rasta to me is togetherness, which is what Newport and this shirt is all about – love, togetherness and unity.” This initiative marks a continuation of musical artists supporting the team. In 2021, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, another renowned band from Newport, also inspired a shirt. Additional collaborations include the AFC Rumney under-14s girls team displaying 50 Cent on their shirts last season, and singer Ed Sheeran previously sponsoring his beloved Ipswich Town. Huw Jenkins, Newport County chairman, commented that the collaboration “underscores the power of community and shared pride in the city.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.