Mid-Season Kit Top-Ups: Why Half-Term Beats January

Every club hits the same problem in January. A new striker in a borrowed shirt. An under-11 squeezed into last August's size. A kit bag three socks short of a full set.

Our advice is simple: don't wait until after Christmas. Kit takes 5 to 6 weeks to make, so a January order lands in February, with most of the season gone. Order this half-term and your whole squad is matching before the winter fixtures pile up.

Topping up is the easy bit. Your design is already saved, there's no minimum order after your first, and every extra shirt comes with your badge, sponsors, name and number included.

Why half-term, not January?

• The lead time does the maths for you. Pay this week and kit arrives in early December. Pay in January and you're looking at mid-February.
• Winter is harder on kit. Muddy pitches, extra washes and lost socks all add up from November.
• Juniors grow fast. A shirt that fitted in August can be tight by January.
• New players stay when they feel part of it. A player in a borrowed shirt looks like a guest. A player in their own name and number looks like the team.

When will our kit arrive?

Based on our standard 5- to 6-week lead time from full payment. See how long custom kit takes for the full timeline.

Step 1: Count what you need

Do one kit check, at one session, with your squad list in hand. Ten minutes now saves a second order later.

• New players. Who has joined since your last order? Include anyone on trial who is likely to stay.
• Outgrown kit. Ask parents of junior players to check fit now, not the week before a cup game.
• Lost or damaged items. Count shirts, shorts and socks against your squad list.
• Goalkeepers. A new keeper needs a contrasting shirt, ideally two. Our hockey goalkeeper kit guide covers the colour rules, and the same principle applies in football.
• Winter extras. Training tops, jackets, snoods and hats keep players training through the dark nights. See our winter training tops guide.

Step 2: Check sizes and squad numbers

Most top-up problems come down to two things: the wrong size or a duplicate number. Both are easy to avoid.

• Use the size guide. Check every new player against our catalogue and size guide. Between sizes? Go for the larger one.
• Size up for growing juniors. A little extra room means the shirt lasts the rest of the season.
• Keep a squad number list. Check which numbers are taken before you assign new ones. Having two number 9s on the pitch confuses everyone, including the referee.
• Get names in writing. Ask players or parents to send spellings by message or email. It's the easiest mistake to make and the hardest to fix.

Every item is made to order, so we can't exchange kit ordered in the wrong size. Five minutes of checking now is worth it.

Step 3: Send your list to your account manager

Your account manager starts every top-up. Your Client Portal keeps everything else in one place: saved designs, order history and approvals. No digging through old emails.

1. Log in at portal.myclubgroup.com with the email address you ordered with, and check your saved designs.
2. Send your list to your account manager: items, sizes, names and numbers. An email or a simple spreadsheet is fine.
3. Complete your order form in the portal at your own pace once it's set up.
4. Approve your order. Your invoice is generated within 1 business day and sent by email.
5. Pay, and we'll get making. Kit is produced and delivered within 5 to 6 weeks of full payment.

Topping up more than twice a season? Set up a club shop

If you're placing a top-up every few weeks, the problem isn't the kit. It's the admin. A free online club shop hands that job back to players and parents for good. Club shops are provided subject to meeting qualification criteria.

• Players and parents order direct. No collecting sizes, chasing payments or updating spreadsheets.
• Open all season. New players can order their kit the week they join.
• More than match kit. Add hoodies, training tops and jackets in your club colours.
• Raise funds as you go. Add a margin to your shop prices and turn it into a fundraiser.

Set one up from your Client Portal, or find out more on our club shops page.

Top-up checklist

Mid-season top-up FAQs

Is there a minimum order for top-ups?

No. Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that, there's no minimum, so you can order a single shirt if that's all you need.

How long does a top-up take?

Kit is designed, made and delivered within 5 to 6 weeks of full payment. Order early if you need it for a particular fixture.

Can we get kit before Christmas?

Pay in full by Friday 6 November and your kit should arrive between 11 and 18 December. After that, ask your account manager for a firm date.

Will the new kit match our existing kit?

Yes. We make your top-up from the same saved design, so new players wear the same kit as the rest of the squad.

Can we add names and numbers to extra shirts?

Yes. Names, numbers, your badge and sponsor logos are all included in the price.

Our sponsor has changed. Can we still top up?

Yes, but speak to your account manager first. Updating the design means new shirts would look different from the ones your players already have, so it's worth deciding together how to handle it.

Can players order their own kit?

Yes, through a free online club shop. Players and parents order direct, any time, and you can add a margin to raise funds for the club.

Can we return kit that doesn't fit?

Because everything is made to order, we can't exchange items ordered in the wrong size. Check sizes against our size guide before you order.

Keep your whole squad kitted out

A new player in the right kit feels part of the team from day one. Count what you need this half-term, check those sizes and numbers, and get your list to your account manager before winter really bites.

Related reading: How to order custom sports kit | Club secretary duties: your new season checklist