The Colours

At first sight the bright colours of the shirts, shorts and socks worn by football players during a match appear to be decorative. Visual appeal, however, is not their primary function. They have three most important attributes both for the players and the spectators.

To make the players look as conspicuous as possible at a distance.

This requirement rules out all the dull browns, greys and pastel colours. It also eliminates broken or patchy colour arrangements which would tend to camouflage the players. Camouflage (against the turf) is also the reason why green is the least popular of the bright colours

To make the players look different from their opponents.

It is essential that there should be a strong contrast between the colours of the two teams. Even though many teams choose to wear one of the three most popular colours - blue, red or white - the problem is easily solved by each team having an alternative ‘change colour’ which is worn by the visiting team when their colours clash with the home team. The design of the away kit is usually kept very simple to avoid the possibility of it also clashing with the home colours of other teams.

To make the team look different from their near neighbours.

Wherever a large city has two or more major football clubs there has to be a strong contrast in their colours.

Supporters of the clubs wish to be able to distinguish themselves from one another especially at a ‘local derby’. For example

Manchester United wear red. Manchester City wear blue

Nottingham Forest wear red. Notts. County wear black/white

Bristol City wear red. Bristol Rovers wear blue

Liverpool wear red. Everton wear blue

Aston Villa wear claret and blue Birmingham City wear blue

if We look back at the long history of shirt colours and patterns and find that they have changed little over the decades.