SOME of Middlesbrough FC's most prominent fans held mixed views on the club's kit change policy. This is what they said:

Glen Cooper, secretary of the Middlesbrough Football Club supporters' club, said: "There is simply a market for it, and if there is a demand there, the clubs are going to sell them.

"Fans like to see the shirts every season, because it's a fashion item and it is a tradition that all of the fans enjoy."

Simon Bolton, former supporters' club secretary, said: "There will be a lot of fans like the fact that they keep changing the strips every year."

Personally, he would prefer the home and away strips changed in alternate years, allowing fans regular new designs, but giving shirts a two-year life.

"There is room for new designs, but I don't think you have to change both of them every year. I don't think they are actually thinking of fans' own preferences. There are a significant number of people who can't afford to change their kit every year and feel pushed out when the team come out wearing a different shirt to the one they bought six months ago."

Sandra Jackson, the supporters' club's membership secretary, said: "I think it's okay. I think the fans look forward to buying them. I think the majority look forward to getting the new kit."

Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, said he would appreciate the club working towards the two-year life-span for kits - but feels he is in the minority.

He said: "As a supporter, it is an expensive game and I would like them to work towards the charter, but I don't hear many voices agreeing with what I am saying.

"It seems to me that most Middlesbrough fans take the opinion that they either buy the shirts every year or they don't bother. Basically, they just won't buy them the next year if they can't afford them."