This might sound stupid but is the brand Lonsdale associated with extreme right wing politics?

After a recent trip to Sheffield I bought a couple of Lonsdale T-Shirts for my nieces here in Germany. My brother- in- law said that the brand was known to be worn by mainly right wing groups.

I thought the brand was popular with the mods in the early 80's so I was surprised to hear this. Have I made a big mistake in buying these shirts or is it a load of nonsense?

It's because the middle letters are --nsda-- which was the abbreviated form of NSDAP - the full name of the Hitler's Nazi Party.

Joe

Thanks for that.

Lonsdale is a popular brand for European skinheads, like Fred Perry is in the UK, but being a skinhead or wearing a particular shirt does not automatically mean you are a right-wing neo-nazi.

I wear Lonsdale sweatshirts and baseball caps (well I have one in each) and I'm far from being right wing.

Lonsdale is a boxing academy... I shouldn't worry about it.
People read too much into things I reckon.

Should we not fly the union jack just because right wing types fly it?

Lonsdale also manufacture boxing equipment and was made trendy in the early 80's by the legendary Paul Weller.

Also, Lonsdale are the official kit suppliers to Blackburn Rovers F.C.

Hang on - don't they have a right-winger in their team??

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I wear Lonsdale sweatshirts and baseball caps (well I have one in each) and I'm far from being right wing.

Lonsdale is a boxing academy... I shouldn't worry about it.
People read too much into things I reckon.

Should we not fly the union jack just because right wing types fly it?

I agree, but in germany far-right symbology of any type is frowned upon and can get you jailed.

So they tend to be a bit sensitive about these things.

Joe

Exactly. Just because some would-be Untersturmbannfuhrers favour the brand, it does not automatically make anyone wearing the label a fascist. It would be sad if the label fell out of favour, or became taboo, because it has a noble history of association with British Boxing in particular.

I doubt Lonsdale would be classed as far right symbolism though just as the union jack wouldn't be.

If the t-shirts have the nazi sign all over them with a big pic of Hitlers face then don't wear them.
However to not wear them just because some people associate the middle 3 letters with the nazi party is a bit silly.

Just my 2 penneth... wont stop me wearing mine.

Originally posted by JoePritchard
I agree, but in germany far-right symbology of any type is frowned upon and can get you jailed.

So they tend to be a bit sensitive about these things.

Joe


So let's hope Blackburn don't play any German tems in the UEFA CUP.

It is daft - but it's a peculiarly German thing.

They have a real hyper-sensitivity about anything that can be associated with the Nazi era. For example, eBay had to change their lists of things that could be sold to exclude Nazi memorabilia or historical stuff.

Joe