By Robbie Butler
There was a time when buying your favourite club's home shirt was somewhat of an investment. One could be confident that their team would wear the shirt with pride in the seasons that followed. Crest and sponsorship deals were largely unaltered from season-to-season. Fans could even wear the jersey once it had been replaced by another, usually with minor alterations, and only those with a keen eye could spot the difference.
Not so anymore. In fact, the only thing that seems to change faster than managers in the Premier League today, are the kits players wears.
The data below presents information on 37 clubs that have played in the Premier League since 2009/10 and the number of kits launched during that time. Obviously, this is an overall figure so naturally teams that have never been relegated are much higher on the scale.
There was a time when buying your favourite club's home shirt was somewhat of an investment. One could be confident that their team would wear the shirt with pride in the seasons that followed. Crest and sponsorship deals were largely unaltered from season-to-season. Fans could even wear the jersey once it had been replaced by another, usually with minor alterations, and only those with a keen eye could spot the difference.
Not so anymore. In fact, the only thing that seems to change faster than managers in the Premier League today, are the kits players wears.
The data below presents information on 37 clubs that have played in the Premier League since 2009/10 and the number of kits launched during that time. Obviously, this is an overall figure so naturally teams that have never been relegated are much higher on the scale.
In total, 587 seperate kits have been launched in the past ten seasons. The "big 6" of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs are responsible for just over 200 of these, roughly 35%. Spurs (41) are the only club to break the 40-kit barrier. This can be largely explained by differing sponsorship deals in the Premier League and Champions League in seasons past.
On average, clubs that have played in the Premier League for at least four of the past ten seasons, have produced 2.8 kits per season. This data is present below.
On average, clubs that have played in the Premier League for at least four of the past ten seasons, have produced 2.8 kits per season. This data is present below.
Again, Tottenham lead and are followed by Newcastle United. Whilst Tottenham's jersey's differed at times due to sponsor changes, Newcastle actually launched four different jerseys during the 2013 – 2014 and 2014 – 2015 seasons. This had been done just once before (Everton 2008-2009).
It seems the football jersey is not the investment it once was. As they say, caveat emptor.
It seems the football jersey is not the investment it once was. As they say, caveat emptor.
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