ON SONG
Iconic 70s pop star is inspiration for non-league club’s new football kit that leaves fans with ‘tears in their eyes’
Northwich Victoria have a huge FA Cup replay this week
IT’LL be Pina Coladas being poured rather than champagne corks popping if Northwich Victoria take a step closer to Wembley.
And 1970s pop star Rupert Homes will also be toasting their FA Cup success with his favourite tipple after sending his hometown team a special delivery.
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The semi-pro Midland League Premier Division outfit drew 1-1 at Barnoldswick Town on Saturday to set-up tomorrow's preliminary round replay.
But it was what the Vics were wearing rather than the result that had people talking as the fourth annual Pina Colada Festival got underway 65 miles away in Northwich.
Vics, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary, were keen not to miss out on the spectacle, which was created to celebrate the 1979 hit song Escape - written by former resident Holmes.
That led them to them making a special announcement first thing on Saturday to kick off the festivities - the launch of their brand new Pina Colada-themed third kit.
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It was delivered all the way from Cold Springs, New York, by the man himself as they unveiled the bold number in hilarious fashion on social media.
A video showed Vics captain Matty Clarke receiving a package that had a QR code asking him to scan it.
That produced a video message from Holmes, who was sipping on his trademark drink, and said: “Hi Matty, it’s Northwich boy Rupert Holmes of Hemming Street saying hello to you.
“I’m told that you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.
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“I’ve taken the liberty of sending you the new Northwich Victoria third kit in honour of the 150th anniversary of our beloved club.”
The skipper dons the colourful new kit that comes with words “gettin’ caught in the rain" embroidered onto it.
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Fans were delighted with the eye-catching design.
One said: "Bloody wow. I've got actual tears in my eyes. This is bloody brilliant. I didn't realise we actually had Rupert in it too. Wow wow wow."
Another added: "Wow! Outstanding work! Can’t see there being a kit clash with that."
Clarke and his team-mates fought out an action-packed draw that saw both teams have a man sent-off.
And they are set to wear their new threads when they welcome Barnoldswick at their Barton Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Victory will see them reach the first qualifying round - and be just 10 wins from gracing Wembley.
Mark Tonge, the social media lead at the club, told Sun Sport: “We've had amazing feedback on the shirt, not only in Northwich, but around the country as well from kit collectors and football fans in general.
“It's definitely a unique kit and one that will be a collectors item for years to come.
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“As a club, we are celebrating our 150th anniversary this season and wanted to celebrate it in a unique way.
“We sat down with our new kit supplier Hope & Glory who helped us design a kit based upon one of our most famous former residents, Rupert Holmes.
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“The Pina Colada song plays a huge part in our town with the annual festival taking place hence our launch on Saturday.
“I knew I wanted to get Rupert Holmes involved in our launch, and luckily enough, he was excited to help us in whatever way he could.”
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