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Forbes, 27, a software developer and Heart fan, has been unveiled as the winner of the club’s third kit design (pictured).

The A-League fan began working on designs in late 2010. Some of these mock-ups were posted on a Heart supporter forum at www.redwhiteunite.com.

From the 15 or so designs, one really stood out. And it’s this one the club chose as its third kit for the new A-League season, to be donned when the club play away against Central Coast.

“I tried to use aspects from all the original strips,” he explained to au.fourfourtwo.com.

“Keeping the red and white stripes, but also having the sash… the charcoal color I wanted as a bit of a contrast to the home shirt and the away one was already red and white. It wasn’t as contrasting so I wanted something dark,” he said.

Heart, in conjunction with new apparel partner ISC, offered supporters the chance to submit their design for a third Jersey.

Other designs by Heart members Sam Adra and Maxim Shevchuk along with Forbes made up the final three.

The final showcase was then judged by a panel including Melbourne Heart captain Simon Colosimo and Socceroo legend John Aloisi, who made the final decision.

Heart’s move to involve fans shows clubs are forging closer links with the terraces. The most famous example of this is Yellow Fever’s “Retro Ricki” scholarship at Wellington Phoenix.

With NZ$5000 raised by Yellow Fever - the club's active fans group - to fund the scholarship paying for flights and accommodation, one budding A-League  footballer spends a week training with the club in Wellington.

When online fan voting is finished, Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and a Yellow Fever rep select a scholarship winner from the shortlist.

The 2009 scholarship winner Marco Rojas was so impressive in his time with Phoenix under the scholarship he earned a contract with the club as one of three three U20 squad members.

Rojas made his A-League debut at just 17 and after a stand-out campaign last season, he made a big transferr to Melbourne Victory.

As for Melbourne Heart, Forbes said the design linked in with the club's active supporters: “The grey colour is something the Yarraside [Heart’s active supporters] use so I wanted something grey, white and red that represented the fans and would be popular.

“It’s a great shirt and exciting to know it’ll be used in the competition later in the year," he said. 

However, any cut of the merchandise revenue from the shirt won’t be flowing Forbes way just yet.

“I don’t know about that but I’m just hoping to get one," he said. "Hopefully it won’t sell-out too quick...”

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