Football Kits: History and Evolution

From a time when players simply wore their working clothes to today’s high-tech jerseys, the world of football kits has come a long way in its short life. As well as serving to identify teams on the pitch, they are a key part of a club’s heritage and culture. They also play an important role in generating revenue for clubs and their sponsors.

When บาคาร่าที่ดีที่สุด first became a professional sport, the only way fans could tell teams apart was by colour – home team in their own colours, away team in the opposition. When Admiral, an underwear manufacturer, signed a kit supply deal with Leeds United in 1973 the sale of replica kits began and shirt sponsorship was born. “The arrival of colour TV transformed the game for armchair supporters,” says Heard, and the 1980s brought a period of flamboyance and bold experimentation with designs. Collars disappeared and crew necks took their place, while shorter shirts and lighter stockings came into fashion.

Kit Chronicles: A Journey through the History and Evolution of Football Kits

During this period, clubs experimented with the use of different fabrics to improve performance on the pitch. New polyester materials allowed teams to wear lighter shirts, while advances in printing technology enabled clubs to incorporate large logos. Shirt sponsorship exploded as the likes of Adidas, Umbro and Puma entered the market.

Shirt sponsorship continues to be a major source of revenue for football clubs and manufacturers, but the world of kit design is constantly changing. New technology such as goal-line technology and Video Assistant Referees has revolutionised the way football is played, while innovations in materials are driving improvements in speed and safety.