Wearing the replica top of your favourite football team has been a popular tradition since the mid-nineties when mass production was introduced, it is seen as a great way of identifying yourself as a fan and exhibiting your team support.   In 1870 when football kits were first introduced each player wore exactly the same kit, there were no squad numbers and each individual players shirt were not identifiable.  Although numbers were first seen during a game in 1928, giving each player a squad a number that was kept throughout a tournament was officially introduced for the 1954 World Cup, this was the first time the competition aired on television and the numbering system was to assist the commentators in identifying the players involved in tackles and goal scoring throughout the matches.  Amazingly names were only added to the numbers for the 1993/94 season after the introduction of the Premier League. The addition of names and numbers and competition patches has revolutionised the purchase of football shirts adding the option of personalised shirts with your favourite players name or even your own name and their number.For the first two seasons teams could apply any colour or style lettering as long as the players name and number were visible, this was confusing for fans and difficult for sportswear suppliers to keep up with.  In 1996 a uniform style and colour schemes were introduced enabling the introduction of widespread football shirt personalisation.  Today the Premier League maintains this uniformity with white, black, red and blue print options for all teams, the style is occasionally slightly updated.  In a recent study it has been found that the Manchester United player Robin Van Persie is the most popular choice for personalised football shirts for Premier League clubs.
In Europe there is no such standardisation throughout the leagues, for example teams in the Spanish La Liga are able to design their own style of printing, meaning that often, particularly for the lesser supported clubs, the choice of personalisation is narrowed down to a select few of the elite players, and unless you purchase direct from the club shop there is little chance of getting your own name in an official style. Â Â The standardised English Premier League option throws the choice of how your shirt should be personalised wide open. Â On baby and small child kits many people opt for the child's first name, older children and adults may choose their own surname or a player's name, and there is always the option of using your shirt to celebrate a special occasion such as 'Mr' and 'Mrs' for a wedding.
Squad numbers are usually apportioned according to the players position in the field however some numbers are more highly regarded such as 7, 9 and 10, these numbers are also popular choices for consumers. Â Number 7 is traditionally worn by right wingers and has been made particularly popular by Manchester United where the number has been sported by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. Â Â It has been said that number 10 is the most prestigious of numbers and is worn by the best player in the team. Â Today Barcelona's well known and extremely skillful Lionel Messi sports the number 10 shirt; other players to have worn this renowned number include Maradona, Pele and Zidane.
What do you think about the standardised Premier League lettering?
Would you choose a player's name and number, or do you prefer to use your own name?
Order the football shirt for your favourite team and have it personalised from Soccerbox today.
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