Pride for James Coppinger as HIS Doncaster Rovers kit gets an outing

Rovers handed over the design task for their usual charity third kit to the club’s record appearance maker to mark his 17th and final season at the club.

And the gold shirt he produced will be worn in this afternoon’s clash with Hull City,” Coppinger said.

“I just think it was a great opportunity and a fantastic gesture from the club.

“When they asked me about it I didn’t think twice.

“Players who I’ve worked with, when the new kit and the new training kit came out, everybody wants to have a look at it.

“It’s a huge part of a footballer’s life. It’s like their uniform.

“To have that opportunity to design it and put something together, it’s unique and I really enjoyed it.

“The gold was more of a celebration of my 17 years at the club. I’d never had a gold kit or worn one. I really liked the kit itself.

“The 26’s in the fabric, the side sash we had on the blue Avec kit that I really liked and some bits and pieces on there suggested by other people.

“I just think its a really well put together kit. Obviously I’m going to say that because I helped design it.

“I just think when I look at it, I’m really proud of it.

“You’re never going to please everyone and you’ll get people moaning about the colour or the collar.

“But I just think it’s a really good collectors item.”

The kit also his highlights the mental health charity CALM, a cause close to Coppinger’s heart, with sponsors LNER giving up their space on the front of the shirt.

“LNER have been brilliant,” Coppinger. “Every year they pass that over to CALM for the sponsorship.

“I think the club have done a fantastic job in promoting it over the years.

“We’ve had a kit designed by a young school member and seeing that come to life must inspire so many people. It’s unbelievable.

“There’s a hidden message in just doing that with mental health and helping people along the way.”

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