In American football, the specific role that a player takes on the field is referred to as their 'position'. In the aftermath, the idea was cast aside by English football’s governing body, but after various reported instances of sides wearing them for the next decade or so, it was decided that all players should wear numbered shirts in 1939. A diagram showing an I formation on offense and a 4-3 formation on defense. The man that much of this is ultimately down to is legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman, who pioneered the idea of numbered strips in a match with Sheffield Wednesday back in 1928. Each player on the field has a specific position and traditionally these positions can be aligned with a corresponding number, which are essential to the teams overall strategy and structure. Naturally, to fully understand it, we need to take a few steps back. Soccer, or Fottball,as it is better known around the world, features two teams of 11 players each. 10 for Arsenal.Īs supporters, we know these numbers are a bit peculiar, but why does something so trivial irritate us? Where does this seemingly inherent instinct emerge from? And why is it such a big deal anyway?
5 for Everton, or the uncomfortable feeling that festered when William Gallas wore No. It’s the reflex that niggles at us when we see Samuel Eto’o donning No. There are some players that don’t look quite right in their shirt numbers.Įtched into our soccer consciousnesses are intangible, requisite criteria when it comes to the number a player should have emblazoned on the back of his jersey.