People only just realising why England play in white – and it’s down to Scotland
England will again wear their famous white home strip to a major tournament at the World Cup – but many people are only just realising how their choice of home colours came about.
The identity of the Three Lions changed for good following a contest with local rivals Scotland in way back in 1872 in which their opponents all wore navy blue.
They all wore navy blue because they had all played in the same strip for Queen's Park at the time, meaning England needed a contrasting design to call their own.
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It's been hypothesised that the FA supplied the white kit because they were either spare cricket tops – or just simply the best alternative to the Scotland strip.
Although it didn't immediately become tradition with England players wearing nine different club kits with badges sewn on against Wales in 1879, they were being pushed by the press to revert to white.
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A set of collared white shirts were purchased from Messrs Gann, Root & Co, with only the shorts and socks of their respective clubs then worn.
The suggestion of a full kit came after pressure from the press in 1882, with navy blue shorts and white socks being brought in – and kept throughout in the main.
White shirts, navy shorts and white socks were adapted to a full white design back in 2009, with red shorts then worn in 2012 to match the shirt trimmings.
With the initial white shirts coming from a connection to cricket and to not clash with Scotland – navy shorts were a potential differentiation to Germany.
The current white shirt with blue shoulders was announced back in September ahead of Gareth Southgate's trip to Qatar, with a traditional red away shirt.
England said at the time: "Nike’s design team took inspiration from the bold, energetic spirit of the young group of England players who are not afraid to express themselves both on and off the pitch. They were also inspired by their cohesive teamwork, togetherness, and movement.
"This identity inspired Nike’s design team to bring a new attitude and aesthetic to the England National Team collection that speaks to the stalwart spirit and collective energy of the young Lions."
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