Dutch side’s website crashed after frantic demand, queues opened

Ajax and Adidas on Friday (August 20) released the Dutch Eredivisie club’s Bob Marley-inspired Three Little Birds third kit for the current season.

Ajax began using Three Little Birds as the club’s anthem back in August 2008, when they played a friendly in Cardiff against Cardiff City. Ajax fans were asked to remain in the stands after the game and to entertain them, the stadium DJ played several tracks, one of which was Three Little Birds.

Ajax fans instantly embraced the optimism-laden reggae song as their own and have been singing it at every game since.

Earlier today, the club released the kit that features a red, yellow and green trim. On the back of the jersey, just below the collar, it features a subtle reference to the iconic song, with three little birds sitting on Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses. The kit will be worn in this season’s UEFA matches, alongside Ajax’ home kit.

Marley’s daughter, Cedella, a major advocate of Jamaica’s Women Football team, was moved by the gesture.

“I am beyond touched that Ajax has taken Three Little Birds and made it their anthem. Stories like this warm my heart and show how impactful songs like Three Little Birds can be. Soccer was everything to my father. To use his words: football is freedom,” she said.

There was much anticipation for the release of the kit after images were leaked online in April this year to an overwhelmingly positive response from the public with some fans claiming it might be the best-ever selling jersey for the club.

Those forecasts stuck true as the AFC Ajax website crashed due to the large internet traffic and demand for its Jamaica-theme kit. The site has returned to full operation, however, virtual queues have been set up to limit other website crashes.

The irony of this development was that shortly before his death in 1981, Marley and the Wailers had planned a European tour that was supposed to include six shows in Germany.

However, after being diagnosed with cancer, Marley sought treatment in Bavaria, Germany, where he underwent alternative cancer treatment. However, after eight months of effectively failing to treat his advancing cancer, Marley left Germany for Jamaica.

During the flight, Marley’s vital functions worsened. After landing in Miami, Florida, he was taken to Cedars of Lebanon Hospital (later University of Miami Hospital) for immediate medical attention, where he died on 11 May 1981, aged 36, due to the spread of melanoma to his lungs and brain.

Watch AFC Ajax’s feel-good tribute below: