Names on Jerseys

[Red Gum]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Edit: Change the topic name to Names on Jerseys please!

Might need to keep working on that editing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernsey_(clothing)#Use_in_Australian_sport

Most sports don't do it, or at least only started doing it recently. The Yanks started doing it (NFL 1970, not 100% sure of NBA but around the same time, It's still not universal in baseball - Yankees among others don't have it). Soccer followed suit a decade and a half later (FIFA made it mandatory for the 88 Euro Cup).

Sports that glorify individual efforts over team performance do it. Sports where LeBron, or Kobe, or Rooney, or Ronaldo are bigger than the teams they represent. Sports where players change clubs at the drop of a hat for a few extra bucks and a chance to be the marquee. Sports where players consider themselves more important than the club.

I'd personally hate to see it in the AFL. In the AFL we wear Guernseys, or Jumpers, not shirts or jerseys or uniforms, and the most important thing on the shirt is the club logo, not the name of the guy wearing it.

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Names in Jerseys

People buy NBA jerseys not only because it's the team they support, but sometimes it could be a player from another team that they really like to watch. A lot of people will be buying Blake Griffin Clippers jerseys now. If it just had 32 on them and no name then you'd think the sales would be a lot less. I think this contrast can be drawn with AFL jumpers. I've never had any friends walking around in a Carlton jumper wearing the number 5 because they love Juddy as a player but don't necessarily support the team. If the jumper had Judd written on the back then do you think this would change?

I think it's a good opportunity for clubs. Regardless, we have too many sponsors logos littered all over the place as is.

No. As much as some neutral supporters like Chris Judd, myself included, I would never EVER wear a Carlton jersey, whether it had his name on it or not.

I'm not one of these new sports 'fans' that follow players and not teams.

I own a hell of a lot of sports jerseys. Over 100. As people can see by my avatar, I even have a West Ham jersey with my user name on it.

I'm sure some people think that's a bit gay, but heres the thing. I like numbers on jerseys and probably could have dispensed with the name altogether (and next time I probably will). So why my name? Well i'll always follow the Hammers. What I don't want is a jersey of a player who's around for 5 minutes and out of there ASAP (Tevez for example). You know how many players are still on our list that were there when we made the FA Cup final in 2006? Two! You could buy a brand new jersey with a guys name on it at the start of a season, and by the end of it he's playing for a despised rival. Theres 100 odd smackers down the drain.

I went through a box of NBA cards from 2005 a while back, and in the 5 years since, 80% of the league were playing for (or had played for) other teams. There have been players in the US sports who have played for 3 or 4 clubs in the same season!

This is unlike AFL, where players don't change clubs very often, and never during a season. In these other sports, guns like Ablett move for the $$$ all the time, whereas in this comp he's a rarity.

So my point is, they need names in those other sports because players change teams like some people change their jocks!

Here's another example - I own about 7 or 8 Pistons jerseys. They have all been tricky to come by (Except a Grant Hill shirt I haven't worn in years). It took me ages to finally get my hands on a Chauncey Billups shirt in this country, and when I finally found one, he was traded after two games. And what was even worse is that not only did he get traded for a player I hate, but they gave that player his number straight away! And within a matter of days, there were Iverson Pistons jerseys everywhere. Hell I still see them in some shops I go to. Pistons shirts have been like hens teeth to come by despite the fact we've been one of the most successful teams of the last 25 years, and the minute AI comes over - no problems. And no, I don't own one.

I have two Geelong heritage guernseys. One has the number 5 on it - which could represent several different players (Evans, Farmer, Malarkey, Ablett, Varcoe or even 'Sparkles' Barkley ) - or all of them in my case.

The other has a 33 on it - to represent two of my favorite players ever to play for the Cats - Bruce Nankervis and Max Rooke.

I also have a jumper with the number 10 on it. Unfortunately it was for Kane Tenace, and one time he wasn't playing particularly well on a day I was wearing this jersey and some guys were hanging a bit of shit on me for wearing it. One of them said 'That 10 isn't for Tenace is it?' and I said 'Nah, it's for Johnny Mossop'. They all had a decent laugh after I said that. And when young Daniel Menzel made his debut in the number, I was wearing that jumper for the occasion

And in the world of sports, I reckon that is unique, and a pretty damn cool thing to be able to do.

 

[Red Gum]

Re: Names in Jerseys

JUMPERS FFS. We are not wearing ****ing bits of cow on our backs.

You fail.

The names (jersey or guernsey) refer to a style of clothing developed on those islands. They also refer to the cattle commonly raise don the islands.

In the same way Denim gets its name from the town in which it was developed. Champagne is a region in France. Cardigan was a style of sweater named after... wait for it... the Earl of Cardigan. The sandwich is a snack apparently popularised by the Earl of Sandwich.

The sleeveless, originally woolen, knit worn by AFL footballers at the birth of the game was a guernsey and that's why the name has carried through. Never heard the phrase "to get a guernsey" or "didn't get a guernsey"?

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Names in Jerseys

By telling them the names of their players? Not that difficult a concept.

Ah ok so we're dumbing it down as much as possible are we?

 

[Rack Watts]

Re: Names in Jerseys

I'm still trying to figure out how to tie my shoelaces

Edited for accuracy, sheep.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Re: Names in Jerseys

I think names on players backs would be a worthwhile addition

What other sports don't have the names on the jerseys? I'm pretty sure they don't in the NRL. Can anyone confirm this?

In the NRL numbers are assigned to (starting) positions not to players. So whoever starts the game as fullback wears 1, whoever starts as halfback wears 7, hooker wears 9 etc.

I guess if they really wanted to they could still put player names on them but they'd have to print new jerseys all the time to reflect team changes.

 

[Schulzenfest]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Ah ok so we're dumbing it down as much as possible are we?

Sure, why not? The majority of people are dumb, may as well appeal to them.

 

[Alfonz]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Because the field is so big, I seriously doubt you could see the names at the ground and it would therefore be quite pointless.

And I don't see the point for TV, as you have commentators (who should get it right, at least most of the time) and you can tell who the players are anyway from looking at them.

Marketing? Pfft, it just makes the jumper look "wrong" when you have iconic numbers from the past like Ablett's #5 or Plugger's #4.

I personally prefer them without the names. No reason to change now.

 

[invinciBlues]

Re: Names in Jerseys

I think names on players backs would be a worthwhile addition

I'm hopeless at photoshop, but I can't help but think that having his name above "that" number only cheapens it. It stops being a legacy then and starts becoming ownership in a sense.

Of course its a matter of opinion and personal taste, but doesn't that number 5 speak volumes?

This might be a weak metaphor, but its like when you crack a sly joke and some ******** has to explain it to the room and everyone is think "Yeah, we know. We got it "

 

[Lazix]

Re: Names in Jerseys

So the names will just be a smudge on the players back for all in attendance and readable for those watching on TV for maybe 30% of the time. All the while making the numbers smaller and the jumpers needlessly more of a ****ing eyesore.

Yeah totally worth it.

 

[wizardking]

Re: Names in Jerseys

By having the names on the back it could produce more sales. But unlike other sports (i.e NBA, Soccer) I don't think nuetral or non-fans would go out and by a teams jumper just for the players name on the back.

 

[Yianni]

Re: Names in Jerseys

I know for a fact I'd own a lot more footy jumpers if they had names on them. Just having a number makes them feel far too generic.

What other sports don't have the names on the jerseys? I'm pretty sure they don't in the NRL. Can anyone confirm this?

Most of them don't want to be identified in the NRL.

It's a legal thing...

 

[Prestigerrycomo]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Maybe Demons fans will finally know the name of their players (Coodabeens)

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Re: Names in Jerseys

People buy NBA jerseys not only because it's the team they support, but sometimes it could be a player from another team that they really like to watch. A lot of people will be buying Blake Griffin Clippers jerseys now. If it just had 32 on them and no name then you'd think the sales would be a lot less. I think this contrast can be drawn with AFL jumpers. I've never had any friends walking around in a Carlton jumper wearing the number 5 because they love Juddy as a player but don't necessarily support the team. If the jumper had Judd written on the back then do you think this would change?

The difference being the NBA has an international audience, many of whom don't feel a great affiliation with any team. I gave up on supporting a specific team when they traded away my three favourite players during the season; now I just pick a new team at the start of every season (this year it's Golden State, because of their awesome new uniforms). I've never been to the USA anyway and I query how big a supporter you can be of a team if you've never set foot in the city they're representing (that's for everyone who's never come within 200km of Manchester, yet refers to Man U as 'we/us').

Now, with the AFL, I'd consider buying an opposition club's jumper, either because it looks cool (Fitzroy/WCE yellow/the new Port strip/any State of Origin jumper) or because it's hilariously bad (any of the previous Port clash attempts/Brisbane Bears heritage/Melbourne's silver clash strip/North's Argentina jumper). There's plenty of players from all these clubs that I really like. But I would never wear a another club's jumper with a name (or even a number, TBH). It's one thing I like about the AFL jumpers - you can just buy a blank one and it will do the job for ten years. EPL is similar, for those who are whingeing about buying a player's shirt and then he changes clubs...just get a blank one.

Wearing a team jumper here isn't a fashion statement like it is with a soccer shirt or a US sport jersey. If you're older than about twelve, you're wearing an AFL jumper and you're not either going to the footy, going to footy training, or watching the grand final at home/a pub, people will think you're mentally challenged. It's true.

 

[irukandji]

Re: Names in Jerseys

I might also add I have spent hundreds on jumpers over the last 5 or 6 years (I have 27 different Geelong jumpers at this stage).

If they start putting names on the back, I won't be spending any.

With all that buying you probably figured out that getting the number on the back is an optional extra that you pay for (in fact you pay more for 2 digits) - and getting the name on the back would be optional too.

You can have a blank backed jumper, the number or the number and the name.

 

[The_Reaper]

Re: Names in Jerseys

What the hell is "First Class TEST MATCH CRICKET"?

Well to be fair, every Test match is a first class match

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Edited for accuracy, sheep.

I could throw cheap insults like you pal, but I don't need to.

You're calling me a sheep, but how about this?

I don't need names on the backs of jumpers to be able to tell who's who. But gopower is basically suggesting its a good idea because most people are too dumb and/or disinterested to work out who a player is without them.

I'd suggest if people are too dumb or disinterested that it's not going to matter what you put on the jumper.

It just makes me laff this idea that suddenly because names are on the backs of jumpers a bunch of dullards are suddenly going to become real fans.

The other thing I would point out is that most of the major international sports that have names on the back are either slow moving or have several long breaks during play or both. There are plenty of opportunities for TV close ups, or to see players standing around like stale bottles of piss if you're at the game. Plenty of chances to catch names on the back if you so desire.

 

[Khan]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Last time I checked both Jersey and Guernsey were Channel Islands with ****-all to do with the USA.

Stupidity sucks

No need for the last comment but its wasn't until the popularization of NFL and NBA attire did we really start hearing about football jersey in Victoria at least.

So ask a question before being a smart arse

 

[joeyavalanche]

Re: Names in Jerseys

cockatoo-collins

 

[Suspense]

Re: Names in Jerseys

It just makes me laff this idea that suddenly because names are on the backs of jumpers a bunch of dullards are suddenly going to become real fans.

i don't get this "real fans" elitist approach.

new comers to the sport obviously have little knowledge of the players; names provide for a more direct form of identification. likewise with casual afl fans. they might know their own team fairly well, but they may only know a couple of players from the other team. to have a more direct form of identification helps these kind of fans without hindering the "REAL FANS" either.

discussion on this forum is often about individuals and the performance of individuals. the brownlow is awarded to an individual and we have awards for best individual goal kicker and best individual on the ground in a grand final. is it a team sport? yes, but the team is made up of individuals and identification of who is performing their role well or poor is essential to assessing the performance of a team as a whole. so the whole "**** individuality" argument is not at all in accord with the reality of football today.

 

[sydney eagle]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Having names on Guernseys is a very U S thing. In Australia we don't seem to do it; certainly not in the football codes (any of them) or hockey. Maybe in basketball, but i'm not sure about that. That being said, there are times when having names on players guernseys WOULD be helpfull; such as when you watching your team on television and you are trying to pick out the players who are making their debuts.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Re: Names in Jerseys

i don't get this "real fans" elitist approach.

new comers to the sport obviously have little knowledge of the players; names provide for a more direct form of identification. likewise with casual afl fans. they might know their own team fairly well, but they may only know a couple of players from the other team. to have a more direct form of identification helps these kind of fans without hindering the "REAL FANS" either.

Is this intended to cater for the TV viewers or those at the game? I would think in both cases you wouldn't get enough opportunities to read a name on the back of a guernsey due to the speed of the game/players identified during commentary/distance between spectators and players being too long to even be able to read the name/etc.

At least with the number it's only one or two characters so it can be big enough to decipher from a distance/at a glance.

Besides, would names appear on basketball/soccer tops if merchandising wasn't such a big part of both sports? I don't think player identification is the primary reason for their existence.

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Names in Jerseys

i don't get this "real fans" elitist approach.

new comers to the sport obviously have little knowledge of the players; names provide for a more direct form of identification. likewise with casual afl fans. they might know their own team fairly well, but they may only know a couple of players from the other team. to have a more direct form of identification helps these kind of fans without hindering the "REAL FANS" either.

discussion on this forum is often about individuals and the performance of individuals. the brownlow is awarded to an individual and we have awards for best individual goal kicker and best individual on the ground in a grand final. is it a team sport? yes, but the team is made up of individuals and identification of who is performing their role well or poor is essential to assessing the performance of a team as a whole. so the whole "**** individuality" argument is not at all in accord with the reality of football today.

That's not the point I was making.

There are plenty of hard core fans on this thread who want this change.

I was more pointing out that it seems a bit silly to me that 1. Making this change is somehow going to make blow ins bigger fans, and 2. That we change something that is working perfectly fine as it is to cater for said blow ins.

 

[Suspense]

Re: Names in Jerseys

Is this intended to cater for the TV viewers or those at the game? I would think in both cases you wouldn't get enough opportunities to read a name on the back of a guernsey due to the speed of the game

fair point.

players identified during commentary

sometimes.

distance between spectators and players being too long to even be able to read the name

big screen?

I was more pointing out that it seems a bit silly to me that 1. Making this change is somehow going to make blow ins bigger fans,

they might be still casual fans or "blow ins", but at least they will be able to easily identify the guy who wears 14 for freo. it helps them. newcomers often become bigger fans. it helps them too.

and 2. That we change something that is working perfectly fine as it is to cater for said blow ins.

as opposed to alienating them because they aren't "real fans"?
as i said, i don't see how this hinders the "real fans" at all.

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Names in Jerseys

they might be still casual fans or "blow ins", but at least they will be able to easily identify the guy who wears 14 for freo. it helps them. newcomers often become bigger fans. it helps them too.

as opposed to alienating them because they aren't "real fans"?
as i said, i don't see how this hinders the "real fans" at all.

My GF watches games with me. Both at the ground and on TV. She really only follows the game because I do. She barely knows any of our players, let alone any other teams players. And never once have I heard her say 'You know, i'd enjoy and understand the game a whole lot more if the players had names on their jumpers'.

I have watched plenty of footy with people who I wouldn't even call casual fans. And at no stage have they mentioned anything about names on the back being something that would help them understand or enjoy the game more.

Thanks for the laugh though. Alienating fans lol. I feel for all those thousands of people turning their backs on the game because we don't use players names. It's a disgrace

I just wish people supporting this would give away trying to mount a creditable argument on this and just give the real reason - all the 'cool' sports do it, and it would be 'cool' if we did it too.

And some poster had the temerity to call me a sheep earlier lol.