The DPD Coventry Blaze are bringing one of the city’s most iconic cultural movements to the ice with a striking new jersey celebrating Coventry’s 2 Tone heritage.

Born in Coventry in the late 1970s, 2 Tone became one of Britain’s most distinctive musical and cultural movements, combining Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae with the energy of punk and new wave.

At the heart of the movement were Coventry bands including The Specials and The Selecter, alongside groups such as The Beat, Madness and Bad Manners. 2 Tone Records was established in Coventry in 1979 by The Specials’ Jerry Dammers.

The movement was about more than music. Emerging against a backdrop of social and racial tension, its multi-racial line-ups and message of people coming together became an important part of its identity. Its distinctive black-and-white aesthetic, particularly the iconic checkerboard pattern, became synonymous with 2 Tone.

Now, that heritage has been given a new sporting identity by Coventry Blaze.

The special-edition jersey combines the unmistakable 2 Tone checkerboard with the Blaze’s own blue identity, while a vinyl record-inspired design at the centre of the jersey provides a direct link to the music that helped put Coventry on the cultural map.

Bringing together Coventry’s music, culture and ice hockey heritage, the jersey celebrates a movement that originated in the city and continues to resonate decades later.

The jerseys will be worn by the Blaze on Sunday 11 October, when they take on the Dundee Stars in a special 2 Tone-themed night in the Motorpoint Elite League at the Skydome Arena, with face-off at 5.30pm.

Game-worn jerseys will be available to purchase via the Coventry Blaze online store from 6pm on Tuesday 29 September.