Additionally, wearing the number 1 jersey can help distinguish the. The number 1 signifies leadership, confidence, and a strong presence, which are crucial traits for a goalkeeper. Despite the establishment of squad numbers. Goalkeepers wear number 1 because it is traditionally associated with the position, denoting the importance of the role as the last line of defense for the team. The jersey number traditionally denotes the position of a soccer player. As mentioned above, soccer positions have traditionally been designated a specific number. Players often get to pick their own number. The numbers 1-11 are considered the ‘traditional’ jersey numbers in soccer, but any number up to 99 can be used. 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. Each player on a team wears a different number to the others. 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. In ye olde football days, players were issued a number from 1 to 11 depending on where they were playing. For example, 1- Goalkeeper 9- Targetman Striker 10- Playmaking Midfielder. Naturally, to fully understand it, we need to take a few steps back. It is more of a historic numbering when they use to number the players starting from the goalie to the striker. 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. 'The main role of the goalkeeper is, of course, to keep the ball out of the goal', explained Wild. The system assigned certain ranges of numbers to each player position from which a player could choose.
They are the last line of defense and are expected to have quick reflexes and excellent anticipation skills. A jersey-numbering system was initially launched by the National Football League on April 5, 1973. He is expected to hold the ball up, win the ball in the air, and look to lay the ball off. In that system, the number nine’s role is to act as a striker playing high up the pitch, often with a smaller, nimbler player alongside him. The number 1 is reserved for the goalkeeper, whose primary objective is to protect the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring. The classic formation for many teams remains 4-4-2 because it can be adapted both for attack and defence. It’s the reflex that niggles at us when we see Samuel Eto’o donning No. The traditional soccer position numbers range from 1 to 11. 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.