Former Liverpool player Robbie Fowler "took to the Gold Coast skies to launch the club's new away kit with an exhilarating skydive," according to Matt Woosnam of the London DAILY MAIL. Fowler jumped out of a plane as he unveiled the kit, produced by New Balance for the upcoming season, "in style." The new kit is "predominantly white with a red trim and collar with a line across the sleeves as they tried to keep it simple but sleek." Fowler certainly did not "hold anything back, although he admitted he was originally nervous," as he took the plunge and jumped with an instructor, claiming the kit was "not only good for the pitch, but good for jumping out of a plane as well" (DAILY MAIL, 7/16). In Liverpool, David Prentice reported it was "the first time the Reds have held a kit launch outside of Merseyside and thousands of fans packed into the area to catch a glimpse of their heroes" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 7/16).
CHELSEA UNVEILS NEW UNIFORM: Japanese tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber, the new principal shirt partner of Chelsea, revealed a new jersey bearing the Yokohama Tyres logo. Sales of the new uniform will begin July 22. The new home kit, manufactured by adidas, bears the Yokohama logo across the chest. It will be worn by the players for the first time at a preseason friendly against Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls on July 22. The shirt design takes inspiration from several classic Chelsea shirts. With white and red trims at the collar, sleeves, shorts and socks, the kit celebrates these club colors and ties to Chelsea's history (Yokohama).