Help Oxford United stamp out bootleggers - buy only from official club outlets
With Wembley now less than three weeks away, the Oxford United club shop has been taking new stock on a daily basis so fans can turn one end of the ground into a Sea of Yellow on 3rd April.However, the club’s success this season, with high-profile games such as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Barnsley or the cup wins over Brentford, Swindon and Swansea, has highlighted a problem that the club will be looking to stamp out: bootleggers.
A number of traders have looked to cash in on the Oxford United name this season and are likely to be on the streets again between now and the end of the season seeking to sell counterfeit goods. Genuine supporters can usually tell genuine club products from fake and we urge fans to buy only from OFFICIAL sellers. There are likely to be a number of bootleggers in the build up to Wembley but the club will be selling official products on the approaches to Wembley and within the stadium.
The facts are quite clear for traders: no one can use the club trademarks without club permission. The club has recently issued formal warnings to a number of companies who have been using the club name and badge illegally. The club has also sent out a number of legal ‘cease and desist’ letters pointing out that the club has a policy of legal action on every occasion. Not only will those found guilty face a financial penalty but they will also have to play the club’s legal costs.
Director Peter Lee, who is in charge of the club’s retail department, said:
“In a way it is good to have this problem because it means the club is doing well, but that doesn’t mean that we will just stand back and let people do what they want.
"We're committed to preventing the illegal sale of low-quality goods by counterfeiters seeking to profit at the expense of our loyal supporters and Oxford United.
"It has been happening at games but also outside shopping centres, around the city, and online. Almost invariably the goods on sale are of inferior quality and people buying them also need to be aware that they are not helping the club by doing so.
“This is an issue that we are taking very seriously and we're appealing to fans to help us stamp it out and not to purchase from any illegal sellers.
“We have approached a number of these people and been very up front about it: we will take legal action and we will do all we can to protect the club’s name and image."
The online shop is available 24/7 at oufcshop.co.uk and the club shop will be open later until 7pm on each Thursday before Wembley with players there to sign autographs and meet fans. Come in this Thursday and meet the players AND see the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy itself. The trophy will be in the club shop from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday.