Golden First for Mitre and Celtic

Mitre, the official ball supplier to the Scottish Premier League, teamed up with the Wizard of Wishaw yesterday, John Higgins, to launch a new golden football to be used by Celtic in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.

Higgins was on hand at Celtic Park to kick off the launch before the new season begins again on 29th July 2006. Considered to be one of snooker's greatest ever match-players, the devoted Celtic supporter was delighted to be part of a piece of football history and was the ideal candidate to present the new golden ball to his friend Gordon Strachan.



Higgins commented, "I'm one of the biggest fans of the Bhoys and playing head tennis with the manager is something I've always wanted to do. I was watching all the lads at training and the Mitre ball looks cracking. It's a great thing to remind everyone of their status as reigning champions and the feedback from the guys is that it's the best ball ever."

Strachan followed on, "It looks great this, it's really good, and i love what Mitre have done with the design. A golden ball, a golden team, and hopefully another golden season. It's excellent. No gimics, just a brilliant looking ball that plays like a dream. John seems to have a golden touch on the green baize of a snooker table so let's hope this rubs off on us on the hallowed turf of Parkhead. Judging by his skills today he could even be a new signing!"

The Pro 100 T Reigning Champions SPL football will be used at all of Celtic's home matches in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague this season and the exclusive gold colour will really raise the stakes in ball design and be a reminder to home and away fans of the club's triumph in the previous season. This is the first time a personalised club ball will be used for all home games in any football league in the UK, and marks a huge development in football leagues worldwide.



It is one of the most technically advanced footballs on the market and is constructed out of a super micro fibre material, with 26 panels, to offer high performance in all conditions. The truly round ball is designed to be faster and more accurate than ever before and can travel at speeds in excess of 100mph.

Mitre Marketing Manager Katrina McCreadie commented, "Mitre is pleased to announce the launch of the new Reigning Champions football for the Scottish Premier League. We are very proud of our long standing relationship with Scottish football and hope that the championship winner's gold ball will be a huge success over the coming season. Over one hundred years of expertise enables us to develop the very best balls for the modern game and with this launch it shows that Mitre continue to lead the way in ball technology."