So the countdown to football’s most hallowed occasion has begun, and football fans up and down the country are bracing themselves for three weeks’ ownership of the TV remote control and evenings down the pub to watch the games.

That’s if they haven’t got tickets to any of the games of course. Then it’s an Easyjet flight out of Blighty quicker than you can say ‘Deutchsland’ and off to sample high quality German beer and the stadium excitement of the World Cup stage.

All of this football frenzy is an excellent opportunity for merchandisers of course, as companies host their own themed activities, pubs run special promotions to get the punters in and sports clubs run their own promotional campaigns to capitalise on our enthusiasm for the beautiful game.

With official England shirts currently costing in excess of £25, there’s clearly room in the market for cheaper, World Cup-themed clothing, allowing fans to pledge their allegiance without paying through the nose. And now, there is an ever-increasing amount of footie-related promotional goods for screenprinters and embroiderers to get their mitts on.

Using a country’s flag colours is probably the most recognisable way to display your support for an international team, and the Tour Collection has a range of flag-related merchandise; as well as themed T-shirts, the range also offers a selection of bags, caps, towels and aprons.

When asked how flag-themed aprons and towels might be used, Philippa Davies at Solutions Apparel explained, ‘Tour Collection's TR83 and TR84 short and long aprons, combined with other garments in the Tour Collection range like the TR03 and TR04 raglan tees or TR61 baseball cap, have been extremely popular with catering companies wanting a fun and funky co-ordinated uniform for a corporate event.

‘The TR92 Beach Towel, which is available in five UK designs, has been extremely popular among national sports teams wanting to have co-ordinated items, as well as among sports supporter groups travelling abroad, for use around the pool or on the beach. The TR91 Golf Towel, which again is available in the five home country flag designs, has been popular with golf clubs as well as with companies wanting a unique branded gift or giveaway for promotional purposes.’

Additionally, the Tour Collection offers a flag-wearing Tour Ted for anyone wanting a mascot or corporate/business giveaway, as well having potential to sell into retail for the kid's market (mindful, of course, that the bears are not suitable for the under threes). The Tour Collection also offers hand flags - what better way to cheer the boys on than by waving your country’s flag?

The millions of England fans up and down the country are sure to create a surge in demand for England-branded goods, and T-shirts are likely to be a popular choice. Another option for those looking for a T-shirt suitable for England fans of all ages could look to BTC activewear’s England Shirt, which is available in both adult and child sizes.

In 100% polyester with contrast mesh, the shirt features the St George flag on the right breast with ENGLAND printed across the chest.

For low volume orders, you might want to consider using transfers – and Daiber is currently offering 50 flag transfers in the Daiber Transfer Collection. These plastisol transfers can be applied to any colour T-shirt such as those in the Soccer-T (JN 76) and Runner-T (JN 77) collections. Daiber also offers cheaper soft transfers, although these are only transferable onto white cotton, such as the white Round-T Medium (JN01) and the Junior Basic-T (JN 19).

Hats are another easy and popular way for fans to brand themselves, and there are many different types on offer. Daiber offers Nation Caps (six World Cup nations available, including England), Nation Bandanas (eight World Cup nations, including England) and as an alternative style, the Flag Caps from Myrtle Beach (available in 32 country designs, including England). Similarly, the Tour Collection offers flag-related Caps (TR61, TR63) and also Beanies (TR62).

Garment distributors have noticed a particular demand for flag-related goods as the build-up to the World Cup gets underway. ‘PenCarrie has noticed a constant growth in demand for products in Tour Collection, especially for England’ said a spokesman, ‘although we are also getting demand for other countries also in the World Cup - maybe there are lots of Spanish, French and German fans living in the UK! As we get closer, we expect demand to continue to grow, whether it is for large corporate campaigns or for smaller groups of England supporters.’

It’s not just football either that gets sport fans patriotic. Flag-related products can be used in just about every other international sport there is, from rugby to athletics. There’s bound to be a significant amount of interest in England’s forthcoming rugby tour of Australia for example, not to mention the excitement building up to the Rugby World cup next year.

So don’t forget about rugby shirts – the Tour Collection offers flag-themed polo and rugby shirts (TR11 and TR21 respectively). Alternatively, BTC Activewear offer the KooGa range of rugby shirts for those wanting high quality, branded rugby clothing.

Events like the World Cup are a great way of encouraging everyone to get out into the open themselves, and sporting activities in general are set for a huge boost as the summer progresses.

For those inspired enough to get out and play themselves, there’s a range of football clothing offered by the Tombo range from Lea Sportswear, which is used mainly by local clubs and schools for their own teamwear. The range covers general teamwear, goalie wear, socks, training bibs etc. Children's sizes are available in key styles.

BTC activewear also offer Vandanel tracksuits for adults and kids, as well as a range of Rucanor Ladies gymwear all of which could easily be decorated to show allegiance to their team of choice.

Whatever World Cup activity you’re involved in, make sure you’ve got everything in place before 2pm on June 10 – when England kicks off its World Cup challenge against Paraguay. And if you’re not sure what colours the Paraguay fans will want to wear, here’s a tip – the flag is made up of red, white and blue horizontal stripes.

Daiber

T: 01270 874 424/434

W: www.daiber.de

BTC Activewear

W: www.btcactivewear.co.uk

Tour Collection

W: www.tour-collection.com

PenCarrie

T: 0800 252248

W: www.pencarrie.com

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