FC Isle of Man has unveiled its inaugural home kit ahead of its debut campaign in the North West Counties Football League.

As part of last week’s sponsorship announcement with Manx Telecom, the club asked its members to vote on three options for their preferred selection of kit. After a 10-day voting period, option one was the favourite choice of the official supporters, garnering 55% of the vote.

The attire will be produced and supplied by leading bespoke kit designer and provider Hope and Glory.

In a statement announcing the kit, FCIoM said: ’In keeping with one of the club’s key values, that of sustainability and our commitment to the environment through our partnership with UNESCO Biosphere, we are delighted to confirm that the kit will be 100 per cent Eco.

’Eco kits are manufactured using rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) with a lower environmental impact. Both the shirts and the shorts are created from rPET fabric which is made from recycled plastic bottles that have been melted down to produce a fine yarn.

’FC Isle of Man is extremely proud to be the first club on the island to wear such kit.’

Ty Smith, FC Isle of Man commercial director, continued: ’I couldn’t be happier with the selection and I know everyone at the club feels the same way.

’This ECOkit has received wide-reaching praise from the community in the island and from the global digital community on social media, and I want to place on record my thanks to the team at Hope and Glory.

’We have worked closely together at every stage of the design process and challenged each other to deliver something that is befitting of such an historic event as selecting this club’s inaugural kit.

’Working with the club colours, which have been derived from the Manx palette, I am confident that we have pulled it off. The addition of the Manx Telecom branding adds that final touch of quality in the same way as the company’s support of the club itself.’

Ric Dennis, founder of Hope and Glory, explained the process behind the kit: ’When designing the home kit options for the inaugural season for FC Isle of Man, it wasn’t as straightforward as designing for other clubs as there was no ’shirt history’ to work with. In some ways, however, this was also liberating as we weren’t confined.

’The brief from the club was clear, the colours for the home kit were to mirror the club crest - red, black and white - and we were to challenge the club to push boundaries.

’Some reference points were discussed to help develop the brief and from this we created a number of initial concepts which were presented to the board. We received feedback and eventually narrowed down to the three options put forward for the official supporters to vote on.

’The concept that has taken the crown and will be the club’s first ever kit is a strong design, giving in turn the club a strong identity.

’A stepped fade design, inspired by some of those stunning Manx sunsets, takes the shirts from black to red from shoulders to shorts and is finished with predominantly white socks. It has several detail points which will resonate with the fans of FC Isle of Man and is complimented perfectly with the primary and shirt sleeve sponsors.

’We are delighted with the kit and look forward to FC IoM showcasing Hope and Glory during the coming season.’

The shirt will be available to Yn chied FC Isle of Man members to pre-order online this week, followed by general sale shortly after.