Evolution of Soccer Uniforms
The evolution of soccer uniforms have a long history, and if you stick around a bit, we’d love to tell you about it. Athletic uniforms are more than just jerseys. The uniform is everything a team stands for. According to soccer legend Diego Maradona, a player’s motto should be “giving everything for the shirt”. In other words, the uniform is the symbol of the team, and it’s the most important part of the game.
The History of Soccer Team Uniforms
The Cambridge Rules established in 1848 did not mention athletic uniforms at all. In fact, for most of the Victorian age, players just wore white shirts, long trousers, and colorful hats or scarves to distinguish between competing teams. It wasn’t until around 1870 that the public demanded that teams wear clothing that was more, well, uniform.
The colors for team apparel were generally chosen to match the school or club they represented. For instance, players for the Shrewbury School wore white jerseys with the school’s blue Maltese Cross.
Shin guards were invented in 1874 by Samuel Widdowson, a player for the Nottingham Forest soccer team. He cut and reshaped a pair of cricket pads before strapping them to his legs outside his stockings. Though his idea was initially ridiculed, it eventually caught on with other players.
In the early 20th century, soccer shirts were tailored and made from durable, natural fibers. They soon became a fashion trend around the world.
In the mid-1900’s, jerseys became a little more conducive to athletic activity. They were made from light, synthetic fabrics, and sported shorter sleeves and v-neck designs.
By the 1960’s, soccer uniforms really began to resemble the athletic apparel seen on the field today. Over the next couple decades, jerseys became more and more commercial as teams sold replicas of signature jerseys from notable players.
The 1990’s introduced athletic fabric that was lighter and more breathable than ever, and popularity of the soccer shirt soared, with replica shirts becoming widely marketed across the globe.
Though it has undergone many big changes over the centuries, soccer team uniforms are really rather basic. Today, they involve only a short-sleeved top, lightweight shorts, tall socks over shin guards, and soccer cleats. Simple as it may be, the soccer uniform keeps players comfortable and cool in the warmer weather in which they usually play.
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What happens if soccer jersey never a thing how would the game change??
It would be harder to tell each player apart.
It would be hard to figure out who is on your team and who is not.
The different teams would be indistinguishable.
They would have to look up and see their teammates faces making it harder to pass toy our teammate.
It would be much less safe for players to play the game
The structure tells us that over the years the shirts have changed logos and have evolved little since it is very important for each team as well as the difference
Yes, the shirts are very important for every team.
If we didn’t even have soccer jerseys, what do you think we will do instead to still know who is on your team from a far distance?
Probably they would have some form of hat or color shoe to show
Don’t forget that in the 1900’s football players had leather hats.
Nice
People could get injured and you might not know which team is playing or even who is playing
If we never had soccer jerseys we wouldn’t be able to play in comfort or in a way that can advance the game.