Halifax will effectively supply their own kit in 2013 after director Ian Croad set up a new company specifically to supply on and off field gear for the Northern Rail Cup winners.
Croad, whose main business is long-time Fax sponsor Windsor Yarns, will use the 1Hx Sports brand to avoid the need for the more traditional tie-up with a single established supplier.
In recent years, Fax have had numerous kit deals with household names like Canterbury and ISC as well as last season’s supplier, X-Blades.
1Hx will not manufacture clothing; Courier Sport understands next year’s playing and replica shirts will be made by Avec and re-badged, with the rest of the clothing sourced via a variety of third-party deals before being re-branded.
“For whatever reason, none of those deals we have had in the past have never been entirely satisfactory, either financially or in terms of getting what we needed when we needed it,” said Croad, who took a share in Batley-based X-Blades last year to ‘learn the ins and outs’ of the business.
“In the end, I’m a textile man and I came up with what should be a much better solution.
“It’s not about me making money; if we do end up making money the company will make a donation back to the club.
“We need a lot of kit: We have around 70 players on the books, all needing on and off field gear, plus coaching and backroom staff plus all the replica stuff for the supporters.
“It’s a big investment but it should pay off for us.”
Fax’s home kit will be unveiled later this month - at an official launch evening at the Shay on Monday, November 26 - with the away strip due to make its first appearance after Christmas.
Man of Steel Sam Tomkins is set to return for England’s international against France at Craven Park tomorrow.
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