Numbers On Shirts

[mickylonster]

Good morning all, My wife and I watched the football over the weekend and we noticed the high numbers on some players shirts , one player had the number 52 , and a goalkeeper had number 23 on his jersey, Anelka was number 39, Whats that all about ? I remember from my youth , they were all numbered 1- 11 , the goalie being number 1 Are the squads so big today that the manager can pick from 52+ players ?

[EastSaxCol]

Good morning all, My wife and I watched the football over the weekend and we noticed the high numbers on some players shirts , one player had the number 52 , and a goalkeeper had number 23 on his jersey, Anelka was number 39, Whats that all about ? I remember from my youth , they were all numbered 1- 11 , the goalie being number 1 Are the squads so big today that the manager can pick from 52+ players ?

Back to 1965 the changes on shirt numbers changed to include the new rules allowing 3 subs. So numbers 12 and 14 were included and 13 for the reserve goalie. I think it was that way around anyway.

Before that, during the 1954 World Cup, FIFA required teams to use a squad numbering system for the 22 in each squad.

The English FA introduce that system of squad numbering the following season after the inception of the PL (1992). It doesn't reflect the actual number of players in the first team squad, but also the reserves and junior players. A few teams have opted to no longer include a particular squad number though. In the case of West Ham, after a long campaign by supporters , the number 6 was 'retired' in memory of Bobby Moore.

Edited September 21, 2009 by Happy Hammer

[delboy]

Back to 1965 the changes on shirt numbers changed to include the new rules allowing 3 subs. So numbers 12 and 14 were included and 13 for the reserve goalie. I think it was that way around anyway.

1964-5 saw the introduction of substitutes in english football, the subs number was 12 and was only permitted in case of injury. Right from the start this rule was ignored by most managers with players faking injuries when a substitution was required.

1966-67 the rule was amended to allow 1 sub for any reason.

I think it remained 1 sub until the mid 80's when 2 subs were allowed. I don't think any firm rule stated which numbers were to be used, but most clubs used 12 & 14, not wanting to tempt fate with number 13.

It wasn't until the mid 90's that 3 subs were allowed. I'm not sure if it was only 3 subs could be named, or the system we have today of naming a group of subs (currently 7) from which 3 can be chosen.

The numbers used, as already stated, is entirely up to the club and the player, with some players requesting lucky numbers, the year they were born, etc. I wonder if it's possible to use number 0, anybody know?

[mrbojangles]

A few teams have opted to no longer include a particular squad number though. In the case of West Ham, after a long campaign by supporters , the number 6 was 'retired' in memory of Bobby Moore.

Yep. In the case of Man City, we retired the number 23 in memory of Marc Vivien Foe, who's death was heart related whilst playing for Cameroon.

[EastSaxCol]

A few teams have opted to no longer include a particular squad number though. In the case of West Ham, after a long campaign by supporters , the number 6 was 'retired' in memory of Bobby Moore.

Yep. In the case of Man City, we retired the number 23 in memory of Marc Vivien Foe, who's death was heart related whilst playing for Cameroon.

Indeed a sad loss. Thanks for that as well, as I was struggling to remember which other teams had retired shirt numbers.

[CockneyGit]

A few teams have opted to no longer include a particular squad number though. In the case of West Ham, after a long campaign by supporters , the number 6 was 'retired' in memory of Bobby Moore.

Yep. In the case of Man City, we retired the number 23 in memory of Marc Vivien Foe, who's death was heart related whilst playing for Cameroon.

Indeed a sad loss. Thanks for that as well, as I was struggling to remember which other teams had retired shirt numbers.

Another nice story with regards to retired numbers. AC Milan have retired the no.3 for Paolo Maldini. At Maldini's request, they will only re-issue this shirt number if and when his son ever plays for the club..!!

[mickylonster]

A few teams have opted to no longer include a particular squad number though. In the case of West Ham, after a long campaign by supporters , the number 6 was 'retired' in memory of Bobby Moore.

Yep. In the case of Man City, we retired the number 23 in memory of Marc Vivien Foe, who's death was heart related whilst playing for Cameroon.

Indeed a sad loss. Thanks for that as well, as I was struggling to remember which other teams had retired shirt numbers.

Another nice story with regards to retired numbers. AC Milan have retired the no.3 for Paolo Maldini. At Maldini's request, they will only re-issue this shirt number if and when his son ever plays for the club..!!

Thanks guys, for all the enlightening replies , wonder what would happen if players had 3/4 digit favourite numbers, ??? would need very broad backs ! 555 .

[StevieH]

i hate that bendtner at arsenal wears 52, he looks ridiculous. though not as ridiculous as gallas looks wearing 10 and playing centreback.

mickylonster, i can't remember any player wearing a 3 or 4 digit number on their back. in fact i don't think it's allowed.

favourite numbers worn previously include ivan zamorano at inter who wanted 9 which was already taken by ronaldo, so zamorano wore 18 with a + between the two numbers.

italy goalkeeper gianluigi buffon caused controversy when he signed for juventus and asked for the number 88 on his shirt, because of the number's links to fascism and neo-nazism.

[EastSaxCol]

Thanks guys, for all the enlightening replies , wonder what would happen if players had 3/4 digit favourite numbers, ??? would need very broad backs ! 555 .

Apparently someone in an Italian team had 9+1 as a number. Anyway, I'm informed that for Fulham vs Citeh. there are Fulham players with numbers in the 90's.

That raises the question to me, why so high a number ? No squad can have that many players -- even with junior players added. Fifty players in an overall squad I can accept. But, 90 !? There must be some weird ruling about the time allocated to an existing number or something, because it seems logical that when a player leaves that a new, incoming player takes over the vacant squad number. But obviously that can't be the case.

[mrbojangles]

italy goalkeeper gianluigi buffon caused controversy when he signed for juventus and asked for the number 88 on his shirt, because of the number's links to fascism and neo-nazism.

And the number 8 is supposed to be a lucky number in China. Buffon doesn't look very oriental though

[bkkjames]

italy goalkeeper gianluigi buffon caused controversy when he signed for juventus and asked for the number 88 on his shirt, because of the number's links to fascism and neo-nazism.

And the number 8 is supposed to be a lucky number in China. Buffon doesn't look very oriental though

I heard that City considered giving Robbie the number 9.5

[EastSaxCol]

Anyway, I'm informed that for Fulham vs Citeh. there are Fulham players with numbers in the 90's.

It suddenly occurred to me that maybe the reason why those squad numbers are in the 90's -- it's obvious -- one for each of Fulham's supporters.