(March 17, 2024 | Peoria, Illinois) – Peoria City, one of the fastest-growing clubs in USL League Two, has joined forces with one of the largest sportswear manufacturers in the world. The strategic partnership makes Ireland-based O’Neills Sportswear the official kit and select merchandise designer of Peoria City.
O’Neills is an international leader in sportswear apparel, with a level of professionalism dating back to the company’s inception in 1918. With a strong presence in Ireland, the UK and Australia, Peoria City is honored to bring O’Neills’ top tier designs and products to America.
“These kits bring pride to our city, as one of, if not the best jersey designs Peoria, Illinois has ever seen,” said Matt Sheehan, Vice President of Peoria City. “I have been thoroughly impressed by the designs O’Neills has created over the years and it’s amazing to see this level of professional effort brought to our club.”
“O’Neills are delighted to be entering into an exciting partnership with Peoria City Soccer. We have been working hard over the last number of weeks with the club to create an exciting, eye-catching, bespoke jersey design, which is certainly unique to the club and city of Peoria. We look forward to developing the relationships over the coming years and also wish the team success on the field!” said Richard McCarter, Account Executive with O’Neills.
Through this partnership, O’Neills will offer an exclusive Club Hub online merchandise store for Peoria City supporters. There, Peoria City fans will have a variety of premium options to choose from, including the first-ever Peoria City jerseys for sale to the public.
“Peoria City continues to raise the bar in our standards of professionalism, and this partnership with O’Neills is a sure sign of that,” said Jim DeRose, Peoria City President. “To join forces with one of the top sportswear manufacturers in the world will take both parties to new heights.”
With this partnership, Peoria City is proud to unveil the 2024 home and away Peoria Skyline kits. The design, in partnership with drone photographer Steve Vincent, is a nod to Peoria’s beautiful downtown cityscape. The kit is community-inspired and signifies the resilience Peoria embodies.
This partnership news was shared on Peoria City’s official YouTube channel on St. Patrick’s Day, voiced by award-winning actor Timothy V. Murphy. Murphy, born in County Kerry, Ireland, has far over 100 acting credits to his name. Playing roles in hit shows like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T., the Irish actor trained at Focus Theater in Dublin.
The official Peoria City Club Hub will be available on both Peoria City and O’Neills’ website later this week. Soon after, the merchandise will be carefully crafted by O’Neills manufacturers and shipped to Peoria for fans to have ahead of the 2024 season.
Peoria City is preparing for its third season in USL League Two and season tickets for the 7-game home schedule are currently available online by visiting peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets. Season-ticket pickup and in-person merchandise sales events are being planned in advance of the team’s home-opener May 18 versus Chicago Dutch Lions FC at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium and will be announced this spring.
