Image by Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Football, the beautiful game and the most popular sport in the world. Enjoyed by millions whether watching or playing, the game is played from the grassroots level right up to the upper echelons of the sport in elite competitions like the World Cup and the Champions League.
It’s a colourful game too, with each team playing in different colours, often with two or more kits, to differentiate themselves from opponents on the field.
Many of these kits have become culturally iconic over the years, associated with legendary teams and eras of the game. But quality football kits go further than on-field identification. Even at an amateur level, there are many reasons why team uniforms are important, and that’s what this article will be looking.
Primary purpose
Modern football often relies on swift passing and fast thinking, so it’s important to be able to differentiate your teammates from opponents at a glance to make a crucial pass or block to boost performance. Most teams will have at least two kits to avoid colour clashes on the field. In the professional leagues, most have three kits, which not only ensures they can be seen, but also provides another revenue stream as supporters purchase replicas to wear and cheer them on on matchdays.
Overall identity
Having a distinctive kit, at the grassroots level as much as any, can bolster team performance by giving the side a greater sense of identity and belonging. Far from playing in improvised, vaguely colour-matched kits, a well-designed and crafted set of jerseys can promote and foster loyalty and commitment. Identity is a major part of a successful sports team, both on-field and off, and will give players confidence and the togetherness that wins football matches.
Unity and oneness
We talked about commitment, and what better to foster that than team unity? It may seem like a small thing, but having a strong kit builds a strong mentality: the oneness that teams need to play well and support each other. Players feel they are playing for the team and for one another, which bolsters their experience of the game. It’s no wonder that so many football clubs have the word ‘United’ in their names. Unity is a vital part of playing good football and getting results.
Comfort and practicality
Having custom-designed and made jerseys, shorts and socks means you can boost performance in other ways too. Shirts should be made of breathable material, increasing comfort during matches. There are other factors to take into account, such as player safety. Shin guards should be used, so properly sized (and stretchy) socks are needed to house them. On the practical side, you also need to have a captain’s armband for easy identification. Don’t forget the goalie – they need different colours, and some goalkeeping jerseys have extra padding on elbows and shoulders, although this is becoming less common. To maintain optimum performance, jerseys should not be too tight or too loose .
A fan’s perspective
Supporters love to be able to give their side a boost, and wearing replica kits is a great way to show their loyalty. Football is a heavily partisan game, and replica jersey sales are a lucrative income stream for the bigger clubs. Shirts from yesteryear have become icons as well, often transcending the sport as relics of a different time or era. Fans can purchase replicas of these as well, with the originals becoming collectors’ items and changing hands for large sums. It can be good to take some pointers from these iconic designs when designing your own club kits: maybe your supporters will want to wear the colours as well.
Training wear
Don’t limit your kit to on-field wear. If your budget stretches to it, there are all kinds of other accessories and items you can design and purchase for your football team. These include hoodies and tracksuits, which can be worn for comfort during colder or off-season training sessions. As with on-field jerseys, these items can bring about togetherness and the team spirit needed for success.
Having a quality football kit is important for all teams, no matter the colour scheme or design you end up choosing. Team spirit, unity, comfort and iconography: all these are ingredients for winning.