Lancashire reveal Kukri deal

Lancashire have announced a four-year deal with Kukri Sports to become the county’s official kit supplier.

The Preston-based company, the UK's biggest bespoke teamwear supplier, have also become owners of the Lancashire Cricket Store franchise until the end of the 2012 season.

From 2009, Kukri will provide all playing and training kit for Lancashire, Lancashire Cricket Board and Lancashire Academy - using high quality, innovative fabric technologies.

Kukri will also design, produce and distribute a range of supporter-wear and merchandise that will be stocked in the Lancashire Cricket Store at Old Trafford, via their online shop (accessible via www.lccc.co.uk) and in other Kukri outlets around the UK.

The 2009 kits will be launched ahead of the county’s pre-season tour of the UAE, and the new kit and leisure wear will be available in store from February 2009.

Kukri have already created an extensive portfolio of sporting partners, supplying playing kit and leisure apparel to over 50 sports such as rugby union (Worcester and Ulster), rugby league (Ireland), football (Team Bath and Celebrity Soccer Sixes), hockey (Scotland and Australia), netball (England and Australia), lacrosse (England and Wales) and Basketball (Scottish Rocks) among others.

They are also the kit supplier for the Ireland cricket team, but Lancashire will be the first county to wear the Kukri Chang.

Lancashire’s commercial director Geoff Durbin said: "We are delighted to have signed what is almost certainly the biggest kit deal in county cricket with such a progressive and innovative company as Kukri.

“This is great news for Lancashire members and supporters who I'm sure will love the new designs, whilst the commercial income which will be generated from the new contract will be a welcome boost for the club in this tough economic climate."

Kukri group commercial director Phil Morris said: “Kukri are really proud to have been chosen by LCCC to partner them over the next four years.

“As a company based in Lancashire with many international partnerships such as the Hong Kong Rugby 7's, Hockey Australia and Spanish handball clubs, it is fantastic to be able to partner such a prestigious club closer to home.

“We are very proud that from a humble beginning in Preston in 2002 to now find ourselves as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK both in sales and profit.

“Our 110 sales and administration staff are all delighted to be involved with the biggest cricket club in the UK with a proud history and we are working hard to deliver a range of products that the best supported team in the country deserve.”