Newcastle United and Brentford both now preparing for the new season.
Brentford open their 2026/27 Premier League season with a 5.30pm home kick-off against Tottenham on Saturday 22 August.
Whilst Newcastle United face Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday 23 August at St James’ Park.
Brentford ended the 2025/26 season in ninth place, with 53 points.
Newcastle United twelfth on 49 points.
Events this week have led me to wonder whether Newcastle United should be following the Brentford strategy BUT I am not talking about what is happening on the pitch, not this time anyway.
Brentford have this week announced the following… ‘2026-2028 Home Kit. Always Twogether: Brentford FC reveal new home kit for 2026/27 and 2027/28, continuing the club’s commitment to affordability and sustainability through another two-year rollover. As part of the club’s commitment to affordability and sustainability, the new home kit will remain in use for two seasons, through to the end of the 2027/28 campaign. This approach builds on our longstanding kit rollover strategy which has seen various home, away and third kits retained for two-year cycles in recent seasons.’
The Bees going on to say: ‘Replica and authentic shirts are once again available for fans to purchase. Alongside the two-year kit cycle, prices across all sizes and both ranges have been frozen, providing even greater value for fans and further reinforcing Brentford’s commitment to putting supporters first.’
My question is, if Brentford can do this, why can’t Newcastle United?
Indeed, why can’t the likes of Man U, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool do it?
The six clubs with the biggest revenues by far, why can’t they and Newcastle United look after their fans like Brentford do?
Why not have each shirt design lasting two seasons instead of one?
As for prices.
Newcastle United launched their 2026/27 home shirt last month, this is the comparison with what Brentford are charging their fans for the new home shirt. In brackets are the Brentford prices:
(£65) £85 Adult
(£68) £90 Adult long-sleeved
(£45) £60 Kids
(£95) £120 Adult authentic shirt as worn by the players etc etc
Why do Newcastle United (and most other Premier League clubs) need to charge their fans £20+ more for replica shirts than the likes of Brentford do?
Why charge kids £15 (a third) more for a replica shirt than Brentford do?