FAI online shop - just like the organisation - DISGRACE!
I just happened to log into the FAI shop today to see if there was any new merchandise available relating to the new away kit and it's associated leisure wear.
Firstly there is no pic of the new away kit and indeed not even a mention of it. I saw in Lifestyle at the weekend a big window advertisement for the kit but there is nothing in the FAI site or shop and a national newspaper already printed a picture approx. 5 weeks ago!
I began to think that there may be a good reason for the lack of 'new' merchandise. May be there isn't any i thought - so I decided to 'google' and see if any of the major on-line stores had any official Ireland clothing on sale that the official store aren't selling or even acknowleging as coming soon.
Not to my surprise if I'm honest, I found a site which is stocking the brand new never before seen Ireland tracksuit (at least I haven't seen it in irish shops or the FAI store) and Rain Jackets as well as stocking the never released here Ireland away shirt with the new logo as worn in Switzerland last year.
This is the site
http://bigsoccershop.com/shop-by-co...ional-team.html
How is there new OFFICIAL Ireland merchandise on sale worldwide yet none in Ireland or in the FAI store??? :confused:
We all know that in this day and age, merchanising is important to a lot of football clubs and countries. It's a valuable source of income for organisations and imagine that worldwide sales of merchandise enhances profit and allows it to be redisributed as the organisation sees fit. Unfortunetly we are not maximising anything in this department at present.
In some ways, I wish I could lay the blame at the door of umbro, but they have proven recently with the launch of the England kit in conjuction with the FA that they know how to market their brand and get maximum exposure. Our organisation once again comes across as two bit and half ar$ed when it comes to dealing with issues of running the organisation effectively as a business. If there is a marketing manager at the FAI, he/she should hang his head of shame.
Surely he/she should be doing that anyway, if thay have been involved of that monstrosity that is our new crest! :eek:
One day, sometime soon, the FAI will do something right. :mad: