Vowels are Overrated: Interview with FTBLL TSHRTS

FTBLL TSHRTS simply catch your eye. You notice immediately that something is missing, but the “aha” effect comes quickly when you figure out the team’s colours. Who needs vowels anyways? Even trying to say most of the vowel-less countries will sound close to their real pronunciation. If you are looking for a new way to support your favourite team or player for the World Cup, FTBLL SHRTS are a great place to start. We did a quick interview with Marcel, the man behind the idea (you might remember him from our former interview with sjeurt.nl). Learn how he marketed his shop and what this whole vowel thing is about.

Where did you get the idea for FTBLL TSHRTS?

We were inspired by English design and then extended and improved the concept by ourselves. The Spreadshirt concept had a great fit to ours so we set up a shop around it.

When did you start working on FTBLL TSHRTS? How long has the shop been open?

We’ve known Spreadshirt for years (from our other concept Sjeurt.nl), so we knew how we had to set things up to start on short term. Everything has been done by ourselves: website design, photoshoots and marketing. Because of the upcoming WC it was important that we did it smooth and quickly. In total we spent 3 weeks. End of February 2010 we went live and needed to get attraction from different media. So far FTBLL TSHRTS has been published in a soccer magazine, did a WIN promo on a huge Dutch soccer forum and we sponsored the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

Wht’s yr prblm wth vwls?

They are the smallest and always offside!

Do you get funny looks? What do you say to someone who ask you what the shirt means?

Yep! Cool is that when you’re wearing a FTBLL TSHRT and see people watching your shirt. 2 Seconds later, when the person passed, you hear “Ahhh, it said JoHaN CRuYFF”.

Who do you think will win this year?

Of course my heart says HoLLaND, but it will probably be our neighbours again…..GeRMaNY.

How have you marketed FTBLL TSHRTS?

We asked publishers of t-shirt pages to publish FTBLL TSHRTS as well, do some Twittering, set up a press kit and send mailings to several (men’s) magazines.

Will you continue to add to FTBLL TSHRTS after the World Cup?

Of course the peaks wlll be around the WC (or EC) but we are sure that our shirts are very awesome to wear especially after the tournament.

What are the most popular designs so far?

It’s probably not surprising that HLLND is selling the most. However a good second place goes to BRZL. Most popular ‘legendary player’ so far is ZNDN ZDN (Zinedine Zidane). We think the funniest one is made for KaKà (KK), since leaving out the vowels makes the pronunciation the same in Dutch (and German).

Hmm…tricky question. Most beautiful goal: Marco van Basten (EC ‘88)
Best moves: Dennis Bergkamp (WC’ 94)
Most likeable player: Jari Litmanen (Ajax ‘95, Champions League).

Anything else you would like to tell the world about FTBLL TSHRTS?

See you in South Africa!

Thanks Marcel!