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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC, in association with hummel, is excited to announce that it has teamed up with Black-owned soccer-specific creative agency Kitboys Club to create its 2024 Juneteenth kit.

To be worn in Legion FC’s upcoming home match on Wednesday, June 19 against San Antonio FC, this special kit draws inspiration from historic sites and pivotal moments in Birmingham that are renowned in the struggle for civil rights.

“This is an exciting collaboration with Kitboys Club and hummel to create a jersey that tells an historic and important part of Birmingham’s story,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “The design showcases our community and its fight for civil rights, honoring their sacrifices and drawing from the inspiration they have made and continue to make now and into the future.”

The kit will be unveiled to the public on Saturday, June 15 at Juneteenth: A Celebration for the Culture – a special event hosted by The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) and other partners in the historic Birmingham Civil Rights District.

“Taking on this project in such an impactful city means the world to us,” said Kitboys Club Creative Director Sekou Thornell. “As a Black-owned brand, paying homage to the rich and trailblazing history of Birmingham was important in the design that we can’t wait for fans to see.”

With its rich and diverse history, Birmingham has established itself as a beacon for those who dedicate their lives to championing diversity and social justice. Legion FC is committed to the city and those values, with all proceeds from this limited run of kits, including match-worn jerseys that will be auctioned off afterwards, to be donated to BCRI and 16^th Street Baptist Church.

Formed with the purpose to propel soccer further in its own unique way, Kitboys Club has long aimed to provide a deeper understanding of urban culture and sport, while also blurring the lines between the two. Through its platform, the brand shifts the emphasis from the players to the fans and its supporting communities.

Legion FC looks forward to welcoming all fans to Protective Stadium for its special Juneteenth match. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT and tickets can be purchased HERE.

For more information on Kitboys Club, its story, as well as its fantastic array of clothing items, visit its website HERE. To lend support to BCRI and its many worthwhile causes, donations to the institute can be made HERE. To make a donation to the capital campaign for the 16^th Street Baptist Church, visit HERE.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC is launching Learning With Legion, a summer reading program for local students that focuses on educating Birmingham’s youth on the importance of reading. Legion FC will host Learning With Legion from May through August and partner with local government and retailers, community centers, libraries, school systems, and other entities to make reading fun and accessible to all Birmingham communities.

Kids and students in kindergarten through 5th grade in and around the City of Birmingham can earn free tickets to Legion FC home games as they read throughout the summer. They will also be representing their school or organization in a friendly competition for a chance to win tickets to a game at Protective Stadium for their leadership team. This school and those individuals will be honored at halftime.

“We’re very excited to work with our local youth and help them develop a love for reading through our new Learning With Legion program this summer,” said Jay Heaps, Birmingham Legion FC President and General Manager. “Our players and coaches are thrilled to partner with other community leaders and businesses to meet with, read to and mentor students over their summer break, keeping them engaged with reading and providing them with free opportunities to come watch the team play at Protective.”

To participate, parents can download the reading journal at bhmlegion.com/learningwithlegion. All kids and students will fill in the reading journal with a list of all the books they’ve read throughout the summer, as well as which part of each book was their favorite and why. For every three books a child completes, they will be rewarded with a free ticket to the next Legion FC home game, with a max of four tickets per child per home game.

For thresholds met of 100, 250, and 500 books read, those individuals will earn and qualify for a special prize given by Legion FC. Parents can redeem their child’s list for tickets by scanning the QR code located on the reading journal or by visiting the Legion FC office at 2226 1st Ave. S, Suite 101, Birmingham, AL, 35233. Reading lists will also be accepted at our program partner locations listed on bhmlegion.com/learningwithlegion.

Each month, Legion FC players, staff, and faculty will read to children at retail centers, libraries, and other locations. Legion FC will also supply players and coaches who can read in foreign languages to children who request that aspect.

Legion FC will also hold a Book Drive at each home game, beginning May 15 when they take on the Charleston Battery at 7 PM at Protective Stadium. Each home game they will collect new and like-new book donations that will be distributed to local community centers and program partners following its conclusion. There will also be a drop-off box at the Legion FC store (2226 1st Ave S #101, Birmingham, AL 35233).

For more program information, visit bhmlegion.com/learningwithlegion. To stay up to date on Learning With Legion events and more, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

The Vulcan Kit pays homage to the city of Birmingham

Birmingham Legion FC launched its newest hummel kit Thursday, the Vulcan Kit, at a jersey reveal event at Vulcan Park & Museum. The kit is coated in the club’s colors featuring a striped design with the Vulcan, a Birmingham landmark, and an embossed design of a hammer and spear.  

Jay Heaps, President and General Manager, explains the background of the kit.  

“Our new black kit is Birmingham-inspired and represents the hard-working spirit of our city,” said Heaps. “We’re thrilled to be able to create memorable kits that tell the story of the club and our city’s history.” 

The Vulcan kit is a perfect blend of past and present, representing the spirit of our city and roots in the iron and steel industry. Vulcan, the world’s largest cast-iron statue stands 56 feet tall from spear to toe. The Vulcan statue was designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron. The statue is inspired by Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire and forge. Vulcan has overlooked Birmingham from atop Red Mountain since the 1930’s. He is the symbol for Birmingham, to advance the knowledge and understanding of the city’s diverse culture and history and to encourage exploration of Birmingham.  

Legion unveiled the kit on Thursday at Vulcan Park and Museum at the top of Red Mountain. Legion players and sponsors modeled the new kit at the jersey reveal event.  Coca-Cola representatives toasted to commemorate the new kit and new season. 

Legion FC players will wear the kit for the first time this Saturday at Protective Stadium against our rivals, Memphis. Fans will be able to purchase the Vulcan kit at the game.  

 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. April 22, 2024 – Before the Birmingham Legion FC takes on the Memphis 901 FC, they will reveal a special custom kit that pays homage to the city of Birmingham. Fans are invited to attend the reveal atop Red Mountain at Vulcan Park & Museum on Thursday, April 25 at 2 PM. Join the Legion team, staff, and sponsors as selected players will model the new kit. Hear from President and General Manager Jay Heaps and Legion FC Head Coach Tom Soehn. We will end the reveal with a Coca-Cola toast to commemorate the new kit and new season. Fans wanting to attend should RSVP at khernandez@bhmlegion.com. 

“We’re thrilled to unveil our new black kit that is Birmingham-inspired and represents the hard-working spirit of our city. Legion FC players will wear the kit for the first time this Saturday at Protective Stadium against our Memphis rivals,” said Heaps. 

Make plans to cheer on Legion FC on Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 P.M. at Protective Stadium as they take on Memphis FC. In the 15 meetings between the two teams, Legion has won seven matches; Memphis has won three matches; and five matches have ended in a draw (7-3-5). It’s Black Out night so we are asking fans to wear your black Legion gear. A limited number of the new jerseys will also be available for pre-order at the reveal event and for purchase at the game. 

Support our local club this season by attending every home game at Protective Stadium. 

View the 2024 Legion FC home game schedule: bhmlegion.com/schedule/  

Tickets can be purchased at bhmlegion.com/tickets, including premium ticket offers. Fans can purchase sideline seats as well as bid on a signed special jersey: fans.winwithdash.com/event/

Make sure you are following Legion FC on social media (Facebook, IG and X). On Thursday, a social giveaway will be posted where followers will have a chance to win a new jersey and VIP tickets to Saturday’s game. 

For media interviews, contact Heather Jeffcoat by calling 205-515-1972 or by emailing heather@champbranding.com. 

Birmingham Legion FC Birmingham Legion FC is the Magic City’s first and only locally owned and operated professional soccer franchise. Legion FC qualified for the USLC Playoffs following each of the club’s first five seasons and plays all of its home games at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham. 

In partnership with Birmingham United Soccer Association and Alabama FC, Legion’s USL League Two team will provide new opportunities for local, elite male players 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (March 26, 2024) – In conjunction with the United Soccer League, Birmingham Legion FC announced today the launch of a USL League Two team that will compete in the upcoming 2024 season. 

Birmingham Legion FC 2 will provide a new pathway for local, elite male players between college and professional soccer. In partnership with Birmingham United Soccer Association/Alabama Football Club, the team will identify and grow talent in the Birmingham soccer community. 
 
“The game of soccer in Alabama continues to grow each year,” said President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “Legion FC’s mission, through our partnership with Alabama FC, is to continue the development of the local players in this area with a pathway to professional soccer.” 

“We are excited to announce another wonderful partnership with the Legion and Alabama FC, with the addition of the Men’s USL League Two team this summer,” said BUSA/Alabama FC Executive Director Andrew Brower. “The opportunities that will be provided to our college-based men’s players in the summer months will allow for more growth and development at the top of our player pyramid. We are grateful to be able to serve a great need in Birmingham and grateful for our partnership with the Legion FC.” 

USL League Two is a pathway to professional soccer to develop the next generation of talent on and off the field. USL League Two kicks off its season in May with 128 clubs across 18 divisions. Birmingham Legion FC 2 is in the South-Central Division of the Southern Conference.  

Birmingham Legion FC 2 coaches and players will be unveiled in the coming weeks via bhmlegion on social media channels and website – bhmlegion.com 

Birmingham, ALA (Jan 23, 2024)—Birmingham Legion FC announced today a multi-year partnership with Danish apparel company hummel to become the club’s official on- and off-field kit partner. 

Hummel will provide the Legion home, away, and alternative kits, training gear, travel wear and select retail options.

Legion FC’s first-ever hummel kits will be revealed in the lead-up to the pre-season friendly match against Atlanta United on January 27 at 2 pm at Protective Stadium. Fans in attendance at Saturday’s match will have the first opportunity to purchase the new kit. 

To purchase tickets for Saturday’s match, visit www.BhmLegion.com/Tickets.

The new jersey marks a new chapter in the Club’s on-field look. The debut jersey is coated in the club’s colors featuring an embossed design of a city landmark. The iconic bumble bee logo is across the Legion logo on top of the club’s front-of-kit sponsor, Coca-Cola. In the next coming weeks, Legion FC will have some more exciting news to share as it relates to new team partners on 1^st team kits.  

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with hummel as Legion FC’s jersey and apparel provider—a unique blend of high performance and style,” said President and GM Jay Heaps. “With hummel we have more creative freedom and design opportunities than we’ve had in past seasons. We’re thrilled to be able to create memorable kits that tell the story of the club and our city’s history.”

Founded in 1923, hummel, an internationally renowned sportswear brand, is known for its iconic bumblebee logo and chevrons featured on many globally recognized teams. hummel’s iconic look can be found on the jerseys of the Danish national team, the Premier League’s Everton FC, Bundesliga clubs FC Cologne and Werder Bremen,  Real Betis of La Liga as well as the many USL Championship and League One clubs. Legion FC is the sixth club in the USL Championship to partner with the iconic Danish brand.  

“We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Birmingham Legion, marking another significant step in our expansion within the US. Birmingham’s rich history and the club’s unique personality reflect our dedication to community and heritage. The increasing support from their fanbase and their impressive performance aligns perfectly with our mission to support passionate teams, and we’re looking forward to being a part of their future journey, contributing to the growing enthusiasm for soccer in Birmingham and across the US,” says hummel CEO, Allan Vad Nielsen.  

About hummel  

Based in Denmark, hummel is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a global leader in sportswear apparel and design. hummel prides itself on changing the world through sport, making sure that its designs, sponsorships, people, teams, and initiatives work to drive change and progress. For more information, visit hummel.net.