OXFORD United’s new kit has split fans over its move from an all-yellow shirt to one with stripes.

The club unveiled its new Nike shirt, shorts and socks on Saturday – drawing flak from some for the amount of blue. However, the new kit seems about to outstrip last year’s in sales.

Last night United chairman Kelvin Thomas believed the shirt would prove popular for the club’s return to the Football League.

The Oxford Mail’s website oxfordmail.co.uk saw 1,600 votes cast in an online poll on the new shirt, with 60 per cent of fans against the stripes.

Fan Simon Bradbury said: “The kit reminds me of Halifax, Bradford and Sheffield United’s shirts, except in a different colour.”

Mr Thomas defended the kit but recognised it had split opinion.

He said: “The new shirt has certainly divided opinion, however it is very interesting that we sold more shirts on Saturday at the Funday than last year.

“I think when people actually see the shirt and touch it, they really like it.

“All the kids I spoke with on Saturday who had it on, loved it.”

He said the club consulted a lot of people about the potential design.

Mr Thomas added: “The consensus was that people wanted something different, and that’s what we have.

“We understand some people’s views and certainly take on board the comments about the yellow and blue. But I will say it’s very difficult to get a shirt which is both different to what we have had and still mainly yellow.

“We also think once the numbers are on the back of the shirt, it breaks up the blue and the yellow stands out more.

“The proof in the design is really going to be how many are sold.

“So far people have responded well and sales have been excellent.”

Trevor Lambert, chairman of the OxVox supporters’ trust, said: “I think people must make up their own minds when they see the strip.

“I don’t mind what colour the kit is, though, as long as we win games.”

When our poll closed yesterday, 1,601 votes had been cast.

Twenty-eight per cent liked the new kit as a change from the traditional yellow shirt, while 60 per cent felt there was too much blue.

Twelve per cent were much like Mr Lambert, declaring they would wear United’s kit whatever the colour – even if it was pink or lime green.

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