Why Team Kit Is More Than What You Wear

A number of famous films have sports teams in disarray. They don’t have an identity, a kit, a culture and are generally don’t know anything aside from losing. After a number of arguments within themselves, and falling out with the new, highly disciplined coach they start to gain success and get to some winning form. With this winning form causes someone (normally the coach) to turn up with a ‘proper’ kit and identity. From this point onwards they go on to win “must win” games and trophies.

This situation happens all the time, in many sports, all over the world. But what is it about kit that can have an impact on your success on the pitch? What is it about wearing a team uniform that increases performances?

Identity 

In a selfie era of individuality, being part of a collective team or club is somewhat refreshing. The notion of being part of something bigger than yourself can give individuals pride, passion a sense of belonging and focus towards greater collective goals. 

Culture, Language and Values

In the film Mighty ducks, the team creates their own language unique to them. Tactics were branded as part of the Ducks culture - "the Flying V" as their winning tactic. Clubs that have created a strong identity will easily create a culture and a set of values. They will also create their own internal language unique to the particular club.

Colours

Most clubs have a story behind their club colours. For some clubs the kit is part of the DNA and fabrication of playing for them, examples of this might be the All Blacks Jersey, Yorkshire County Cricket Club Cap or Manchester United shirt. The history, tradition and aura that surrounds these garments are not only priceless items for the player, but also instantly recognisable by supporters and most importantly aspiring youngsters. 

The history behind the kit

Every club from grassroots through to the biggest clubs in the world all have a story surrounding their kit. No football shirt is as embedded into the history of the game as the immaculate white of Real Madrid.

Los Blancos – the whites – have always worn the same, brilliant, glistening white since the club’s inception in 1902. Madrid took inspiration for their attire from Corinthians FC of London, England, who were famously respected for their sportsmanship.

 In the 1950s, when the European cup was first devised and introduced, Real Madrid became the most glamourous and popular team in the world, winning the first five editions of the continental competition.

The success of the side from the Spanish capital enjoyed in this period inspired England's Leeds United, who wore blue at the time. It resulted in Leeds United changing the colour of their kit to match the pure white of Madrid in 1961. The decision to switch to white was the idea of manager Don Revie, who remains one of the most respected bosses in the history of English football. He thought that the Yorkshire club would be able to emulate the famous conquerors of Europe if they were dressed the same.

Playing Philosophy

Real Madrid were inspired by the sportsmanship of Corinthians FC of London and therefore in turn so did Leeds. 

Corinthians FC the club is credited with having popularised football around the world, having promoted sportsmanship and fair play, and having championed the ideals of amateur football. 

The club was famed for its ethos of "sportsmanship, fair play and playing for the love of the game" which was dubbed the 'Corinthian Spirit'. This spirit was famously summed up in their attitude to penalties; As far as they were concerned, "a gentleman would never commit a deliberate foul on an opponent". Therefore, if a penalty was awarded against the Corinthians, their goalkeeper would stand aside, lean lazily on the goalpost and watch the ball being kicked into his own net. If the Corinthians themselves won a penalty, their captain took a short run-up and chip the ball over the cross bar!

In 2018 Marcelo Bielsa was appointed Leeds FC Head Coach. Leeds were out of the top flight since 2004 and had lost their playing philosophy, culture and identity. Bielsa was known to study the history of the club and city before he accepted the role. The studying drew deep into the history of the club and playing philosophy.

In 2019, this was put to the test with an incident against a game vs Aston Villa. Leeds United carried on playing and scored a goal regardless of a villa player being injured. Bielsa ordered his players to allow a goal to be scored uncontested, a controversial decision within the modern game. The decision resulted in a 1-1 draw. Leeds did not get promoted a few games later but were promoted the year after. 

In the heat of the moment, was this decision by Bielsa based on the Corinthians philosophy of football of fair play and sportsmanship? Was this decision going to set the precedent for HOW Leeds United are to play the beautiful game? Were the men in white the modern embodiment of the Corinthan sprit in their behaviour and their white kit look? 

Was Bielsa was teaching the Leeds United team the values that the white strip was drawn from? Did he believe in that moment, this was bigger than the riches of the premier league?Bielsa believed in playing the game with a the principles and philosophy of fair play and sportsmanship. "We gave the goal back. English football is known for its sportsmanship, so I don't need to comment on this kind of thing, which is common in English football."

In an era of sportsmen and coaches/managers making decisions based on finances and short-term results, Bielsa made a decision based on a philosophy. The philosophy was visually represented by the white kit his team was wearing. By making the decision, Bielsa was telling his team, winning is not good enough. How you win, and the philosophy behind the win was just as important. The Leeds United players should be reminded by this philosophy every time they put on their Corintihan inspired white shirt, shorts and socks. 

What's the history and story behind your club kit? What does it mean to your players and coaches? How does your club embody your club philosophy? Contact us at [email protected] to tell us your story.