This comes after the launch of the new Kearsley jacket, part of the German company’s Spezial collection.

The hiking jacket has already attracted the attention of one of the town’s most enthusiastic exponents, Cllr Paul Heslop of One Kearsley, who represents the area on Bolton Council.

He said: “Kearsley’s only apparent connection to Germany is the Schoenstatt Shrine on the grounds of St John Fisher Church, but I cannot find any connection between the two organizations.

The Adidas Kearsley jacket (Image: Adidas)

“The choice to name the jacket as Kearsley is intriguing as there is only one Kearsley town in the world and very few notable people with the last name Kearsley.

“While the shade of orange is slightly darker than Kearsley’s traditional color on its coat of arms, the match is amazing.”

If Kearsley did indeed inspire the new jacket, it wouldn’t be the first time a connection has been forged between Bolton and Adidas.

A pair of Adidas Winter Hill sneakers (Image: Adidas)

In 2019, the company launched a range of trainers inspired by Winter Hill.

Cllr Heslop says he is intrigued by the jacket and that as a keen traveller, whose travels have taken in South America and frequent trips to Nepal, it would suit his purposes very well.

But he joked that he would have to save before making a purchase.

Cllr Heslop said: “The jacket looks great but I think the £299 price is a bit beyond my budget, I’ll have to start saving up to buy one.

Cllr Heslop in the coat he bought in Kathmandu (Image: Cllr Paul Heslop)

“The last coat I bought cost me £8 in Kathmandu and it’s distinctive enough that people know it’s me from a distance and I’m sure I’m going to enjoy a couple more winters.”

But Cllr Heslop also hopes that this could be the start of a more lasting connection between the world-famous brand and the community it represents, especially given the popularity of Kearsley’s sports clubs.

He said: “In the meantime I have written to Adidas and asked them to consider donating some of the jackets to Stoneclough AFC and Kearsley Academy.

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In addition to orange, the Kearsley jacket is also available in a ‘wild pine’ green colourway.

In their official description of the jacket, Adidas describes it as an “ode to hiking”.

A statement read: “Drawing inspiration from the outdoors and exploration of landscapes and nature, look to the Kearsley Jacket as a fail-safe staple when adventure calls.”