What To Avoid With Your New Season Football Kit Design
The start of a new season often means new sponsors and a football team kit to be ordered. It is also a time when sports clubs think about refreshing the design of their shorts and shirts.
Even when a design doesn’t stray far from the original colours and patterns, change does not always go down well with the players or the fans.
What are famous examples of football strips that players hated?
The most famous examples of hated designs have been away kits that were quickly replaced. Vivid colours and garish patterns are par for the course with away shirts and third strips.
More recognisable home kits often escape player and fan derision, but some home shirts really missed the mark.
A well-known example of a home shirt that players hated was the Castore Aston Villa strip. From 2023/24. The material held onto the sweat as they played, giving them a wet look and making the shirts heavy and uncomfortable.
Another notable home shirt failure was Hull City’s 1992/93 tiger-striped kit at the behest of the owner. Sadly, Hull are not alone in their use of novelty shirts, and while amusing, not everyone is on board.
How to get the team exec to agree on a new shirt design
Start planning sooner than you think
The key with any design process is to start planning early. If several rounds of amends and sign-off are needed, that will take time in addition to the lead time for manufacturing.
Stick with brand colours
Avoid straying too far from core colours and patterns. There is a reason why Manchester United’s and Newcastle United’s home strips are so recognisable around the world.
Say no to novelty
It might have worked for AFC Bedale in 2018/19, whose sponsor was Heck meat company, although a percentage of profits went to charity. But no one really wants to look like a silly sausage on the pitch, so avoid novelty designs at all costs.
Limit the options
Choosing from three options is far easier than choosing from ten options, especially when the decision is made by committee. Give the team fewer options in the design process to save time and prevent potential friction.
Choose a quality brand
Well-known brands are trusted for a reason; they make quality products that look good and function on pitch. Look for Hummel, Nike, Puma, Adidas, Macron and Umbro teamwear that suits your budget.
Get expert advice
Talk to the people who know how to design shirts. Here at JFC Sports in Manchester, we can help you at every stage of the design and manufacturing process.