Soccer Uniforms: 101

Soccer (more commonly known as football) by far is the most popular sport in the world. It has a massive following of 3.5 million people around the globe. Soccer rose from England and the English were the ones who transformed the sport and introduced different rules and regulations and the use of proper soccer uniforms to the sport. This introduction of rules and regulations and proper uniforms helped progress the sport and has enabled it to become this popular.

Soccer uniforms have played a critical and vital part all through the historical progression of the game. Soccer team uniforms and outfits are the reason why there is decorum on the field. A soccer team uniform consists of a soccer jersey and soccer shorts. These two are absolutely compulsory for every player to wear since they were introduced in the rules and also to represent their selves as a team. A goal keeper is also part in soccer to analyze and highlight over all scores and flaws between the game, both the teams should follow goal keeper throughout the game. The goalkeeper however wears a different colored soccer shirt so that the referee and the crowd can identify who the man who can handle the ball is.

Along with maintaining decorum the soccer team uniforms allow the players to stay comfortable and cool and enables them to perform well on the pitch. The main function that a soccer team uniform has is that it helps in distinguishing the player and the team from one another while keeping them comfortable. In the beginning soccer jerseys were blank. Later on, the concept of adding numbers on the back was introduced. It was decided that the numbers on the back would be in view of a team’s starting arrangement. Numbers 1 to 11 were given to the starting 11 of the team. The substitutes were allotted numbers starting from 12.

Here is how the number were appointed:

1 = Goalkeeper, 2 = Right back, 3 = Left back, 4 = Stopper, 5 = Last man/Sweeper, 6 = Middle defender, 7 = Right winger, 8 = Attacking midfielder, 9 = Attacker, 10 = Attacking midfielder, 11 = Left winger

In the modern game however, any player can go for any number he or she desires.

The old school soccer jerseys had a high neck and were always full sleeved. They were made of a thick fabric and were quite tight fitted. The soccer shorts at time were, well really really short. They were almost the size of boxer-shorts.  The soccer jerseys usually had wide vertical or horizontal stripes while some teams kept them basic. In the 1930s, the style changed and the jerseys were now a bit looser and the neck widened. Instead of those thick high necks the soccer team uniforms became more relaxed and comfortable. Uniforms now donned short sleeves as well. Different materials came into play and the soccer team uniforms (both the soccer jersey and soccer shorts) became lighter, breathable and durable. These revolutionary uniforms made the players feel even more comfortable on the pitch. The popularity of soccer kept growing and now soccer was love and adored by a very large chunk of people all around the globe.

Later on, numerous athletic clothing companies such as Nike and Adidas sprung up. These companies started manufacturing soccer team uniforms with state of the art fabrics and came up with new fashion forward designs. Innovative and Industrial advances kept on delivering soccer uniforms that were lighter and more breathable than any other time in history. New materials were made using cotton, nylon and polyester mixes. This gave the jerseys moisture absorbing and quick drying properties and made them stretchable. All this made the jerseys and shorts even more comfortable and enabled players to perform even better. The soccer team uniforms just became so popular among the fans that everybody started purchasing them and wore them to support their favourite team (national team or favourite club). Soccer team uniforms are the identity of a team and its supporters. They have transitioned a lot and has helped soccer advance and has helped become what it is today.