Get shirty to keep Colman's in Norwich!

Norwich Evening News: Norwich City player Darren Eadie during a friendly with Southend United in 1999.Norwich City player Darren Eadie during a friendly with Southend United in 1999.

That is the call to Norwich City fans, who are today being urged to wear a classic Colman's-sponsored Canaries shirt to the Hull City match at Carrow Road this afternoon.

Go through your cupboards and hunt down the vintage top designed by Bruce Oldfield and worn by stars including Darren Eadie and Iwan Roberts between 1997-2001.

Norwich Evening News: Darren Eadie with a life size cut out.Darren Eadie with a life size cut out.

The call forms part of a campaign to keep Britvic and Unilever in Norwich after plans were announced to close their operations in the city, putting around 350 jobs at risk.

Robinsons, one of Britvic's brands, has been based in Norwich for more than 90 years, while Unilever produces arguably Norwich and Norfolk's most iconic brand, Colman's Mustard, made in the city for more than 200 years.

Norwich Evening News: Darren Eadie at Portman Road.Darren Eadie at Portman Road. (Image: EDP.DFT)

Local farmers provide about 1,500 tons of mustard seed to sell to Colman's, so any future decision will have an impact on the supply chain and wider employment.

A They Must Be Saved campaign was launched by the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News to save these historic manufacturing operations in Norwich.

Norwich Evening News: Reporter Jake Massey on the streets of Norwich to get the EDP and Norwich Evening News petition signed. Picture: ANTONY KELLYReporter Jake Massey on the streets of Norwich to get the EDP and Norwich Evening News petition signed. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

The Colman's logo featured on Norwich City shirts for four Championship seasons, including one home kit change and a host of away kits.

Canaries Trust chairman Robin Sainty said the campaign to keep Colman's in the city needed to be supported.

'They have been a major employer for such a long time and we would love to see the factory stay,' he said.

He said the call to wear the company's branded shirts to Saturday's game was 'a great idea, It ties in really well with everything else that is being done and we support the call.'

Former Norwich City winger Darren Eadie, who wore the shirt during his stint with the club, said as many people as possible needed to back the call.

'I remember the launch of the shirt. Colman's was a brand that was synonomous with Norwich and Norfolk so it was a good fit with the club.

'The company supported the club, so now it's time for the club to support the company and we need fans to turn up in their shirts.'