Shirt numbers

[ndg1860]

Apologies if this is not the right place, but it is programme related.

In the early days (well, early 1900s, 10s and 20s at least) programmes showed players by numbers. So, in the 1909-10 season, I have a programme for Chelsea v Everton and Spurs v QPR. The numbers of the players are given as 1-11 for the home side and 12-22 (in reverse order) for the away team. However, any pictures I can find appear not to show any numbers on any player shirts. Seems strange to have numbers in the programme but not on the players.

Can anyone here shed any light on this or have game pictures from these times whereby there were number on the back of shirts?

Thanks, Nick

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Shirt numbers were worn in one of the 1930's cup finals as a trial, I think, but didn't appear automatically till 1946, so though the programmes listed players by number in the early 1900's, that didn't serve much purpose till much later.

Someone will have more precise information on it than me. Guess I could Google it but then, you can do that too.

Good luck.

[littlewiggy]

Completely unrelated to the topic here, but yesterday Burnley started at Anfield with No.s 1-11. I'd imagine that's not only a rare occurrence in the "squad numbers" era, but a proper one-off?!

[WoodyCAFC]

littlewiggy wrote:

Completely unrelated to the topic here, but yesterday Burnley started at Anfield with No.s 1-11. I'd imagine that's not only a rare occurrence in the "squad numbers" era, but a proper one-off?!

This came up yesterday - apparently, it's the first time that a Prem side fielded 1-11 numbers in the starting line-up since Charlton did that in 1999!

Sounds like a future pub quiz question to me!

[Flaming Pie]

Here’s a photo from the first FA Cup Final (1933) when shirt numbers were used. Ted Sagar saves for Everton v Man City. Players were numbered in this game to help with the radio commentary. As Pete said, some info on the net about when they were first used. Looks like Arsenal v The Wednesday 1928 was the first League game when numbers were used. Amateur and foreign teams used them well before this date. Perhaps numbers were used initially to help journalists identify players when writing match reports? No idea when clubs introduced ‘ Time the Goal’ lotteries,, , but perhaps numbered shirts had something to do with match raffles? Great to see littlewiggy back. I think you sent me a PM a few years ago, but , to be honest , wasn’t certain how to reply. Hope you are well. Your team ( Newport) look a solid bet for another promotion push!

[seand]

I think Aston Villa fielded 1-11 shortly after the introduction of squad numbers, but I think that Villa, Charlton and now Burnley might be the only examples in the PL.

[kilfie58]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

Shirt numbers were worn in one of the 1930's cup finals as a trial, I think, but didn't appear automatically till 1946, so though the programmes listed players by number in the early 1900's, that didn't serve much purpose till much later. Someone will have more precise information on it than me. Guess I could Google it but then, you can do that too. Good luck.

I can add that on the 1929 summer tour to South America, Chelsea played with numbered shirts, and the locals dubbed the team "Los Numeros".
But before that, both Chelsea and Arsenal played in numbered shirts, on the 25th August 1928. Chelsea played Swansea, won 4-0.

Hope this helps ?

[kilfie58]

I can add that on the 1929 summer tour to South America, Chelsea played with numbered shirts, and the locals dubbed the team "Los Numeros".
But before that, both Chelsea and Arsenal played in numbered shirts, on the 25th August 1928. Chelsea played Swansea, won 4-0.

Hope this helps ?

[ndg1860]

kilfie58 wrote:

I can add that on the 1929 summer tour to South America, Chelsea played with numbered shirts, and the locals dubbed the team "Los Numeros". But before that, both Chelsea and Arsenal played in numbered shirts, on the 25th August 1928. Chelsea played Swansea, won 4-0. Hope this helps ?

Thanks. Most interesting. Also sent you a PM.