Leyton Orient CEO reveals even Arsenal fans are buying shirts Kane sponsored

Leyton Orient CEO, Danny Macklin has hailed Tottenham star Harry Kane for the generous gesture that he made by sponsoring the League Two club’s kits for next season.

Clubs in the lower leagues are particularly badly hit by the financial impact of COVID-19 with most clubs in League One and League Two including Orient heavily reliant on gate receipts for their revenue (Goal.com).

The League Two season is likely to be called off since the prospect of playing behind closed doors is not realistic for various clubs in the division (Guardian).

Kane decided to step in and do his part for the club who he made his professional debut for on loan as a teenager.

The England captain has also donated Orient’s shirt sponsorship to three great causes – a thank you to the frontline workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Haven House Children’s Hospice, and Mind, the mental health charity.

Macklin revealed how much of a boost Kane’s initiative and the publicity it generated has been to the club’s coffers at a vital time.

Speaking to Goal.com, the Orient CEO said: “He (Kane) is a first-class individual. He has helped provide vital income and exposure and is raising money for three fantastic causes.

“One week on, we have already sold more shirts than we did in the entire 2019-20 season. It is unbelievable. We have had to place two top-up orders since. We have had enquiries from around 113 places to buy the shirt, and we have had 100 orders from the USA. It has been phenomenal. We even know of Arsenal fans buying it and applauding what Harry Kane has done!

“That is welcome at an important time, and we will be able to make some donations from the proceeds to the three causes. It was much needed support and comfort along with other things we are doing. It gives us assurances in terms of finances, but there’s an awful lot more to do to be a sustainable club.

“He (Kane) is a role model to people like my son. We all want an England footballer we can be proud of. He started his professional career on loan at Orient, which was a perfect fit.

“A number of people said he was going to be a star at the time and that he ultimately had the talent, but he needed to put in the work to reach the levels he had. He can be an even bigger star in a couple of years. Every award, record or goal Kane has got is totally deserved.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Kane deserves a lot of credit for stepping up and helping out his former club. Given the state that many lower league clubs find themselves in, it will be great if other Premier League footballers follow the Tottenham striker’s lead and do their part to help struggling clubs.

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