Klopp-backed SA club HBUFC’s smart jersey initiative

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Klopp-backed SA club HBUFC’s smart jersey initiative

Aug 13, 2026 – 05:32 pm
By Lukhanyo Mtuta

Hout Bay United FC have launched an ambitious fundraising initiative called “The Legacy 500”, aimed at raising R1 million for the community club ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The concept centres around a specially designed HBUFC shirt divided into 500 squares, with supporters, businesses and members of the community able to claim a square for R2,000.

Each square can feature a name, logo, message, drawing or autograph, and every participant receives a shirt once all 500 squares have been claimed.

The club, which has current Germany national team coach Jurgen Klopp as one of their patrons, says the initiative is designed to provide an alternative to traditional shirt sponsorship.

Rather than selling the front of the shirt to one corporate sponsor, HBUFC wants 500 individual supporters to become part of the shirt and, effectively, part of the club’s legacy.

The money raised, which could be up to R1 million if all 500 squares are sold, will go directly back into the team, including nutrition, education, safe housing for players and local manufacturing.

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The central message behind the project is that HBUFC wants to demonstrate that a community football club can generate meaningful financial support directly from its supporters, rather than relying on a traditional corporate sponsor.