For a generation of Islanders it was where they first tried on a pair of football boots.

But now Stadium Sports is to shut its High Street branch after 30 years.

The business will keep going, however, and owner Mark Roach – who runs it with son-in-law Karl O’Brien – says it was more of a “refocusing and relocation” than a closure.

In recent years the focal point has increasingly become supplying printed teamwear and training kits, as well as T-shirts for stag dos and girls’ and lads’ holidays.

The internet-based venture has taken off dramatically in the past few years and the balance has shifted away from sporting goods.

The printing side of things now represents about 80 to 85% of the business and it now supplies its products all over the UK.

It also has customers in the USA, and after recently securing an American domain name, Mr O’Brien hopes to increase sales stateside.

Mr Roach said he simply “couldn’t justify” keeping the store open when the main part of the business did not require as much space.

The 58-year-old said they are looking at moving to a unit in New Road, Sheerness, and there has already been interest from other occupants in taking over the High Street premises.

Mr Roach said: “A lot of our suppliers say ‘we can’t believe you’re still on the High Street’.”

A 10,000 sq ft Sports Direct opened at Neats Court, Queenborough, in June, and while the pair say the national chain has contributed to the decision to move, they started discussing it 18 months ago and made their minds up before its arrival.

Mr Roach said: “We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty over the past 30 years and the regular holidaymakers who come in every year.

“We’ve seen their kids grow up and they are even bringing their grandchildren in now, so that’s nice. There will be a sale on, so the people who have supported us, come and get a bargain.”

Mr Roach started Stadium with his brother, Bryn, in September 1985.

They opened another branch in Sittingbourne High Street in 2009, which Mr Roach said was taking off but shortly after a Sports Direct moved in over the road and they decided not to renew the lease. It closed in 2012.