Walthamstow FC and The William Morris Gallery have collaborated on a first-of-its-kind football kit

In a world first collaboration between a museum and football club, William Morris Gallery and Walthamstow FC have teamed up to launch a new kit and training apparel for the 23/24 & 24/25 season, produced by British sports manufacturer Admiral, to support the club’s journey as it climbs the football pyramid and establishes a new women’s team in the area.

The project, devised by Wood Street Walls, a London based art collective, selected the pattern “Yare” from the museum’s archives for both home and away kits - designed by John Henry Dearle sometime after 1892. It was block printed on cotton at Merton Abbey and features scrolling green leaves with flowers in shades of pale blue, red and yellow on dark blue background. John Henry Dearle (1859-1932) was a British textile and stained-glass designer trained by William Morris who was much influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Dearle designed many of the later wallpapers and textiles released by Morris & Co. and contributed background and foliage patterns to tapestry.

The home kit features a V neck tonal dark blue and light blue jersey and matching shorts.

The away displays a vibrant replica of John Henry Dearle's original design with an aqua coloured round neck collar and trim. Full access to the gallery's archive was given, allowing the design team to explore the full collection of textiles and wallpaper to choose the pattern which was digitally re-drawn and colour matched to be sublimated onto the clothing, taking over a hundred hours of research and design.

Both Wood Street Walls and Walthamstow FC will use a percentage of
the sales to help establish a new women’s football team for the borough.
Any supporters purchasing season tickets for Walthamstow FC will be entered into a prize draw, with three people winning either a tracksuit top, home jersey or away jersey. 

"William Morris believed that people should be able to live in harmony with the world around them; today we are unveiling the result of three years collaboration between art, sport and manufacturing, I’m sure Morris would have approved and, if he was alive today would be happy to see his designs being worn by Walthamstow FC a club which has provided sport in the borough for 155 years.
Andy Perkins, Chairman, Walthamstow Football Club

"We’re proud to support our local Walthamstow FC through this unique collaboration. William Morris Gallery is part of a very special community here in North East London and this is a great way for us to bring the work of Morris out of the Gallery and into the streets and football pitches for next season.
Hadrian Garrard, Director, William Morris Gallery