Rams gesture to ’73 champs

The Rams will mark the 40th anniversary of the club’s only Championship success next year and will play in a replica jersey to the one Mike Stephenson and Co wore when they overcame Leeds 22-13 at Odsal.

The club have chosen to drop the Rams logo from the chest of the shirt, replacing it with the town’s coat of arms, while the jersey has also incorporated the traditional white collar.

The shirt has been manufactured by local firm Ravensport and careful consideration was made to detail, including the thickness of the red, amber and black hoops.

The number 73 will be on the shoulder of the shirt and the socks, while the names of the team who defeated the mighty Leeds will be incorporated to the middle black hoop of the jersey.

The shirt was unveiled at a packed season’s launch for supporters at Tetley’s Stadium on Wednesday when fans got the chance to meet coach Glenn Morrison and his new-look squad and it is sure to be a huge hit with the Dewsbury public.

Supporters will be able to buy a replica jersey, priced £40, and for the first time a ‘players’ fit’ shirt will also be on sale, priced £50.

Chairman Mark Sawyer is delighted with the shirt and said: “I’m confident that the new kit will prove to be a huge hit with supporters. It’s a fantastic design and a superb way to commemorate the achievements of our Championship winning squad.

“We’d like to thank Mick Turner from Ravensport for stepping up his sponsorship of the club in terms of the supply of this year’s playing kit, training gear and supporters’ merchandise.

“It’s a big help to the club. Mick’s taken a bit of a gamble this season and Ravensport are now major sponsors of the Rams, and I hope that supporters will help repay him for his investment.”

The shirts will be available to pre-order online and through the club and delivery of all stock is expected in time for Christmas.

The Rams squad was back in pre-season training last week and Morrison is combining the strength and conditioning work with putting new strategies in place.

Morrison said: “We’ve got so many new faces at the club that I felt it was important we got onto the field at this stage and started looking at some of the systems so that we are all on the same page when we start.

“We have a good bunch of players. I did my homework before signing anyone and we have brought in some great players, who are also good people.

“They have already started to blend well but the hardest thing will be how we gel as a team.”

Morrison is also happy with the three pre-season games Dewsbury will play, starting with Batley on Boxing Day before hosting Halifax (January 6) and Bradford Bulls (January 13).

Morrison added: “I wanted to test ourselves and the three teams we are playing will do that and I’m looking forward to seeing how the boys go in tough situations.”