A modest proposal on clashing uniforms

[AstroboyUK]

I live in the UK these days so only see the game on TV.. so forgive me if this TV based observation doesnt hold water for those actually attending the game.

For all the fuss regarding clashing guernseys - I think there is something quite simple that could be done to reduce the need /challenges of balancing traditions with modern demands.

Socks and Boots.

Socks and boots are just as much a part of the uniform as the guernsy, but to my eyes do nothing to solve the clash..

Socks: if we took the example of Richmond vs Essendon, surely if the Tigers just wore totally yellow socks (away game) or black (hone) and essendon either totally Red or Black likewise alot of the visual confusion would dissappear - all without touching the sacred jumper. Of course not all players play with 'socks up' but enough do, and if they are jsut one colour then even when down the would be somewhat distinguishable.


Boots: 50-60% of players where white boots these days, which is cool. But its not hte 1970's or 80's where players can only afford 1 pair of boots... (james hird please note!) .. so the choice of boot colour is just personal preference, not any kind of necessity. When watching on TV I find the white boots can create a confusing mess of colours - particularly in packs - clashing with the white shorts of the away team, and any white numbers, or adding unneccessary extra white to the home team's kit.. all up, the random colour of boots makes the image 'busy'.
When there is a clash, couldnt the home team just wear dark boots an the away team where white boots, and again an area of visiual confusion is removed?

If you put a boot and sock policy together, the colour clashes could be sufficiently reduced that 'marginal' guernsey clashes can be resolved without having to bastardise the jumper. Its certainly the impression I get when Im watching the game on TV from over here... dont know if it would help at the ground, though??



Thoughts?

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

My thoughts are that fans should just grow up, get over it, stop being so precious etc etc.

It blows my mind how oftenpeople say "but it doesnt look like a (insert team) jumper"

Its not freakin supposed to FFS

 

[AstroboyUK]

My thoughts are that fans should just grow up, get over it, stop being so precious etc etc.

It blows my mind how oftenpeople say "but it doesnt look like a (insert team) jumper"

Its not freakin supposed to FFS

well good for you MB. that makes it ok for you: but for those who really care about the jumper traditions your suggestion is just patronising and doesnt help anything. Im just suggesting a middle road here.

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

While you're in London Astroboy go to for Eg, an arsenal home game and see the team and the fans proudly wearing their red jerseys.
The following week, maybe against Fulham or whoever, go and see them again. They will probably be in yellow. Then go to a nearby pub and seek out their fans and see if they care a hoot. Then gauge whether a bomber of pie fan is more passionate than these folks. I guarantee you they are not.
They love and support their team and thats all that matters.

 

[simba_]

we should have the same system we have but actually use it and not go against it. that way we wouldn't have any clashes

 

[AstroboyUK]

While you're in London Astroboy go to for Eg, an arsenal home game and see the team and the fans proudly wearing their red jerseys.
The following week, maybe against Fulham or whoever, go and see them again. They will probably be in yellow. Then go to a nearby pub and seek out their fans and see if they care a hoot. Then gauge whether a bomber of pie fan is more passionate than these folks. I guarantee you they are not.
They love and support their team and thats all that matters.

why would I give a flying **** about a soccer tradition? Whats that got to do with the Australian Rules traditions? Guess what, in Soccer they use their heads to score goals... should we adopt that too?

Did you major in patronising people at uni or something? This is not about your view that having different jumpers is 'self evidently the correct thing to do'... given that that viewpoint is not universially agreed with -its about offering a constructive alternatives. You've already made it clear that your contribution to this discussion is "I am right". you dont need to repeat that point.

 

[baja]

clash jumpers are just a marketing gimmick, they were fine for a hundred years even in the wet muddy grounds of yesteryear and the age of black and white tv..

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

why would I give a flying **** about a soccer tradition? Whats that got to do with the Australian Rules traditions? Guess what, in Soccer they use their heads to score goals... should we adopt that too?

Did you major in patronising people at uni or something? This is not about your view that having different jumpers is 'self evidently the correct thing to do'... given that that viewpoint is not universially agreed with -its about offering a constructive alternatives. You've already made it clear that your contribution to this discussion is "I am right". you dont need to repeat that point.

Its not my intention to be patronising.
Nor is it my intention to look into alternative solutions when the "self evident correct thing to do" is staring us all in the face.

By the way. It doesnt matter what the code. Footy fans are largely the same world wide. And a heap of men moving fast on a field creates confusion no matter what the code. Soccer have it right. Light v dark. Simple

Furthermore if you are going to have a crack at someone for being supposedly patronising its best not to be such a smart ar5e with your comebacks.
I'm just on here sharing an opinion. Much like yourself.
Prefer not to get into the personal crap.

 

[best7PEARCE]

I think AFL players should wear sleeves it would allow for more variety in uniform

 

[AstroboyUK]

clash jumpers are just a marketing gimmick, they were fine for a hundred years even in the wet muddy grounds of yesteryear and the age of black and white tv..

Personally I agree, but others dont. Would a policy for socks and boots be a middle ground? Would it help?

 

[LT Smash]

Personally I agree, but others dont. Would a policy for socks and boots be a middle ground? Would it help?

Absolutely not. Forget it, your idea has no merit whatsoever, in my opinion.

 

[The Speaker]

Coloured shorts gogogo.

 

[willoblue]

While you're in London Astroboy go to for Eg, an arsenal home game and see the team and the fans proudly wearing their red jerseys.
The following week, maybe against Fulham or whoever, go and see them again. They will probably be in yellow. Then go to a nearby pub and seek out their fans and see if they care a hoot. Then gauge whether a bomber of pie fan is more passionate than these folks. I guarantee you they are not.
They love and support their team and thats all that matters.

 

[Eddie_Mcguire]

lol, no

 

[baja]

Personally I agree, but others dont. Would a policy for socks and boots be a middle ground? Would it help?

yes of course it would help differentiate between the teams but its not needed. Colors are traditional and shouldnt be messed with. Like I said before its a money maker for the AFL. Ive played many games in the mud against teams with clashing uniforms, its part of our game, our game is unique and Im against all the changes that keep trying to make it uniform with other sports, leave it alone. Our game is great for a reason but the AFL seem hell bent on changing everything about it.

 

[whats_at_stake]

I would be okay with the EFC changing the colour socks, shorts etc. (provided they remain black or red) as they do not affect our sash. This should be looked at. Our red shorts addressed most clashes this year which was good to see.

 

[melbournemartin]

yes of course it would help differentiate between the teams but its not needed. Colors are traditional and shouldnt be messed with. Like I said before its a money maker for the AFL. Ive played many games in the mud against teams with clashing uniforms, its part of our game, our game is unique and Im against all the changes that keep trying to make it uniform with other sports, leave it alone. Our game is great for a reason but the AFL seem hell bent on changing everything about it.

I agree that there are far too many frequent changes but this should not prevent the league from making necessary changes.

There are still far too many clashes.

 

[baja]

I agree that there are far too many frequent changes but this should not prevent the league from making necessary changes.

There are still far too many clashes.

whats necessary?

 

[AstroboyUK]

I would be okay with the EFC changing the colour socks, shorts etc. (provided they remain black or red) as they do not affect our sash. This should be looked at. Our red shorts addressed most clashes this year which was good to see.

two other examples where 'clash' socks/boots would sovle a potential clash but still allow clubs to wear their traditional guernsey would be Collingwood vs North...

if it were a home game for Collingwood, North coudl wear white shorts, white socks and boots, collingwood - black

Collingwood vs St.kilda, same kind of thing...

Surely, even if you are in favour of clash guernseys, its only out of 'necessity' not because you actually really want to change jumpers... so isnt it preferable to have a solution that doesnt require a jumper change?

 

[Snoozer]

yes of course it would help differentiate between the teams but its not needed. Colors are traditional and shouldnt be messed with. Like I said before its a money maker for the AFL. Ive played many games in the mud against teams with clashing uniforms, its part of our game, our game is unique and Im against all the changes that keep trying to make it uniform with other sports, leave it alone. Our game is great for a reason but the AFL seem hell bent on changing everything about it.

The reason the AFL are so quick to change everything is because they simply pander to the masses.

Most of them have never played football, yet their opinion carries weight in numbers. Those who played the game, never seek change because they love the game for what it is. Wuckfits who never played the game, yet go and sit in the outer and sprout their ill-informed, parochial crap about the game, their opinion on it carries more weight than yours and mine.

Reckon the OP has some merit. People would be extremely surprised by the difference this small change could make.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I'm all for matching socks and shorts with the jerseys.

Boots ....well nah....thats taking it a bit far.

 

[baja]

The reason the AFL are so quick to change everything is because they simply pander to the masses.

Most of them have never played football, yet their opinion carries weight in numbers. Those who played the game, never seek change because they love the game for what it is. Wuckfits who never played the game, yet go and sit in the outer and sprout their ill-informed, parochial crap about the game, their opinion on it carries more weight than yours and mine.

Reckon the OP has some merit. People would be extremely surprised by the difference this small change could make.

good rant the clubs make alot of money changing jumpers all the time, training jumpers, normal jumpers, heritage jumpers, clash jumpers its all about the dollar, it wasnt broken to begin with...

as kids at school everyday at lunchtime we would line up and pick teams taking it in turns, we all wore the same school uniforms and still managed to know who was on our side.