Posted: August 4, 2006

East Bierley's second team wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew McKirgan models the coloured kit his side will wear in Sunday's Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final against Bowling Old Lane at Pudsey Congs.

It will be the first Bradford League final at which coloured clothing has been worn. The match will also be played with an orange ball and the umpires will be dressed in black shirts and rain jackets.

The kit for the two finalists has been provided for them free of charge by the league's preferred kit sponsor Surridge, who have also kitted out the senior representative side this season with new shirts.

McKirgan said: "The kit is very smart and extremely comfortable we are looking forward to playing in it on Sunday."

Many of the East Bierley supporters have been kitted out for the final. They have been buying replica shirts. Surridge representative Paul Hutchinson, who plays for East bierley's first team, said: "There has been tremendous interest from supporters who want to wear the same colours as the team.

"We will have a sales tent at Sunday's final and we will have replica shirts on sale because of the demand we have experienced."

Umpires Association chairman Glynn Pearson, who will stand in the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final, has tried out the new umpires outfit.

He said: "I am delighted with it. Both the shirts and the rain tops are extremely comfortable and I am sure my colleagues will be delighted with them.