Member Article

Replica football shirt makers net funding to support growth

Replica football shirt manufacturers The Old Fashioned Football Shirt Company (TOFFS) have secured funding to support continued growth of the business.

The Team Valley-based business, which employs 22 and has a turnover of £1 million, is now looking to expand its overseas reach following funding from Barclays.

TOFFS was established in 1990 and manufactures replica and specialist promotions football shirts.

Run by husband and wife team Alan and Michele Finch, TOFFS shirts have appeared widely on TV including Eastenders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks and many football clubs and their museums stock TOFFS – including the National Football Museum in Manchester.

The business has also worked with Budweiser, Nintendo, Granada, Carlsberg and McDonalds and can produce shirts to any specification.

Michele Finch, joint partner with husband Alan, said: “Following the recent downturn and with Barclays help, we’ve had a complete economic review to see how we can operate more effectively and free up cashflow.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work on all sides but we have fully restructured our finances and our now looking forward to the World Cup and have a wide selection of shirts available for whichever team you support.”

Kevin Barry, business banking manager at Barclays added: “It’s been a game of two halves for Alan and Michele but we’ve supported them through the challenging environment and it’s been very rewarding seeing them progress their new strategy plans.

“For any business to operate successfully for nearly 25 years is a fantastic achievement and great that we can support our longstanding customers through the good and tough times.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .