Border Telegraph | News | Borders tartan has runaway success at Gretna

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 5th April, 2006 10:20

Borders tartan has runaway success at Gretna

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

Print Article

A GALASHIELS mill is set for its very own unexpected run on the back of Gretna’s Scottish Cup exploits.

But it faces a race against time to kit out the full squad in time for the final.

Lochcarron of Scotland was commissioned to make the football club’s official tartan earlier this season.

And with interest in the team reaching fever pitch, repeat orders are expected to fly into the Huddersfield Street mill as rapidly as Kenny Deuchar goals.

Sandra Howie, commercial manager at Raydale Park, told the Border Telegraph: “The tartan is very much in our long-term merchandising plans as we will be bringing out a full-range after the Scottish Cup final.

“It seems everyone wants a part of Gretna Football Club just now, and we expect the entire range to be really popular. Lochcarron has made us a beautiful tartan in the club’s colours of black, white and red.”

Gretna became the first ever team from the third tier of Scottish football to reach the cup final when they defeated Dundee at the weekend.

And they have already won promotion to the Scottish First Division.

Sandra added: “A local hotel has already asked for its staff to be kitted out in our tartan, and all of our cheerleaders will have their outfits made from the collection.

“Gretna has become one of the most talked-about clubs in Scottish football, and our merchandise is already selling really well. We believe the tartan collection will also do really well.”

The initial order at the end of last year was only for one full roll of tartan to make up merchandising samples.

But the semi-final success has led to an urgent new order for up to 30 kilts to be supplied in time for cup final day.

Ron Cowan, sales manager at Lochcarron, said: “Our first priority is to kit out the squad in kilts for going to Hampden. We only have four weeks to do this, and one of those is a holiday. It will be tight.

“This looks like it is going to be a big order for us in the future.”

Also included in the Gretna tartan range will be kilts, ties, cravats, teddy bears and toy highland cows.

And even one of the club’s company cars is to be painted in the new design.

Gretna face Hearts in the Scottish Cup final on May 13, and the official launch of the tartan will take place at a fashion show the following month.

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