A unique Dumfries based Social Enterprise has launched this week, which celebrates Scottish Football. Toe Poke Community Interest Company will trade in football themed clothing and merchandise, to raise funds for grassroots clubs in Dumfries.
Dumfries now boasts its own clothing brand, Toe Poke, which has enormous potential to grow and develop with the support of local people. The initiative also creates Scotland’s only football fans owned brand. The first range of clothing, now available on the Toe Poke website, www.toepokescotland.com is aimed at fans of our national teams – there is very choice of clothing for Scotland supporters who want to show off their colours, but don’t want to wear replica jerseys.
Toe Poke founder Ian Barr said, “Toe Poke is Scotland’s only fans owned football brand. We have a serious social mission – to sell football themed clothes that are much loved and through their popularity help put money back into local communities. We aim to earn the respect of the people of Dumfries and football fans across Scotland. Our research shows that older supporters really want to wear smarter football clothes to games, not replica jerseys, which isn’t a great look to be honest if you’re not playing football.
“Toe Poke clothes will be stylish and made from organic materials and be really comfortable to wear. More than 60% of all our Community Interest Company profits will be returned to Dumfries youth football projects and football advocacy projects advised by Supporters Direct Scotland.”
“There is huge potential, in time, to work with local football and sports clubs to provide their merchandise and clothing to support local employment and recycle money back into the Dumfries economy.”
“The inspiration for the Toe Poke brand comes from a famous Scottish National Team goal at the 1982 Spanish World Cup. Scotland were playing Brazil in a group match and scored a brilliant goal by David Narey, that somewhat unfortunately was described as a ‘toe poke’ by the English summariser covering the match, Jimmy Hill. He meant no harm at all though had to live with this gaffe for many years. The words toe poke make people smile and it’s a great name for a new sports brand.”
Toe Poke clothing in the short term can only be purchased online, though the Company intends in time to establish retail partnerships in and around Dumfries, and to sell directly at local markets.
Alan Russell, Chief Executive of Supporters Direct Scotland said, “We’re delighted to be part of the launch of Toe Poke – not only do their products feature an iconic image from one of the most memorable Scotland goals, but their commitment to support community projects locally and nationally is something we hope fans everywhere can get behind.”
The stylish clothes will be prepared and distributed by Lochmaben company Rostrum Sportwear.
For full information go to www.toepokescotland.com
