The History of Soccer Jerseys

Soccer jerseys have not been around as long as the sport itself, however they play a huge part in the game today. Jerseys help referees and fans alike distinguish between different teams and players. Advancements in technology have allowed soccer jerseys to absorb more of the players sweat, and in turn keep them cooler on the field. Other advancements over time include the addition of numbers onto the jerseys, sponsored jerseys and different-colored jerseys.

  1. Purpose

    • Jerseys help to distinguish players and teams.

      The purpose of a soccer jersey is to help distinguish teams and players from one another. Members of one team all wear the same color jerseys with their names, as well as a number, on the back. The other team wears a different color jersey, also with their names and a number on back. Within one team, no two players share the same number. However, members on the opposite team may wear the same numbers as members of the other team. Jerseys are also designed to allow players flexible movement while playing the game. Soccer teams use different jerseys for both home and away games.

    Early History

    • Although soccer has a long history, team jerseys and team colors were not always a part of the game. Instead, players wore whatever they had and, in order to distinguish what team they played for, they would wear colored caps or sashes. By the late 1800's, soccer teams decided that wearing jerseys could help spectators distinguish between teams. By 1921, colored jerseys were in full swing. A visiting team would have to alter their jerseys if they were too similar to the home team's colors.

    Numbers

    • Numbers first appeared on jerseys in 1933.

      The 1933 FA Cup Final between Everton and Manchester City was the first game in which players wore numbers on their jerseys. Special jerseys were made specifically for the game. One set of jerseys was red, and the other was white. The players for Everton wore jerseys numbered 1 through 11, while the Manchester City players wore jerseys numbered 12 through 22. This game inspired the numbered jerseys we have today, although players today wear numbers beyond 22.

    Goalkeepers

    • Goalkeepers wear different-colored jerseys than the rest of the team.

      Starting in 1909, goalkeepers were asked to wear a different-colored jersey than the rest of their team's jerseys in order for referees to identify them. Initially, goalkeepers could choose between two colors: scarlet or royal blue. However, in 1912, green was added as a third color option for goalkeepers to wear, and quickly became the most popular color to wear. Goalkeepers would often wear sweaters, as compared to shirts, in order to fight the cold.

    Advancements

    • Fans can wear replica soccer jerseys of their favorite players and teams.

      Original soccer jerseys in the 19th century were actually not jerseys at all but thick cotton shirts with collars. By the 1950's, soccer players in South America and Europe began wearing V-necked jerseys made of lighter synthetic fibers. Today, companies like Nike and Adidas utilize design advancements in order to make soccer jerseys more comfortable. Such advancements include CoolMax, a polyester fiber that is engineered to remove sweat and moisture from the body and into the jersey itself, allowing players to remain cool while playing the game.