FC United of Manchester and Clothes2order have announced a new partnership for the 2024/25 season, which kicked off last night with a 1-0 home defeat early title favourites Worksop.
Both organisations are ‘Made in Manchester’ and share similar values, committed to bringing people together, whether that be through football or custom branded clothing.
FC United believes that “football unites us and community makes us, and football can be a force for good, and a way to empower communities.” Clothes2order is passionate about creating an identity that engages and excites, inspires and unites, and that custom clothing can transform a group of individuals into a team.
Clothes2order, located in Trafford Park, is a Real Living Wage Employer, following in the footsteps of FC United, who became the first football in the UK to be accredited as a Real Living Wage Employer back in 2014.
In 2025, FC United will celebrate 20 years since it was formed in 2005 by Manchester United supporters disillusioned with the club’s (still in-situ) American owners. The will also mark 10 years since the club built its own ground at Broadhurst Park in Moston, North Manchester.
Despite playing in the seventh tier of the Football League, the supporter-owned community club boasts a disproportionately large following, with almost one million social media followers and an average home gate of around the 1,600 for its Northern Premier League games last season.
Clothes2order was founded in 2000, and was originally located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter before moving to Trafford Park in 2006. It has printed or embroidered more than 20 million logos and grown from a team of ten to a team to now employing over 160 local people, helping over 250,000 business, groups and teams show their pride and unity through their clothing in the process.
Simon Turner, Marketing director at Clothes2order said: “We are incredibly excited to announce the launch of this partnership. Since starting to work with FC United it has become increasingly clear that this relationship was meant to me. As a Real Living Wage Employer of over 150 people in Manchester, getting the opportunity to support such a community based, ethical football club that shares our values was one we couldn’t pass up. We will be helping FC United up their workwear game across their hospitality, maintenance and pitch side crews and will be eagerly following what we’re sure will be a successful season on the field for the team.”
Paul Haworth, commercial manager at FC United added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Clothes2order, and we’re really looking forward to collaborating with them on a number of projects over the next 12 months. Their support of FC United goes well beyond football. By partnering with the club they are also helping us to support initiatives that promote health, education and social cohesion.”
As well as helping FC United transform its workwear and uniforms off the pitch, on Tuesday September 17, Clothes2order will be proud match sponsors for FC United’s home Northern Premier League local derby against Macclesfield.
