A simple change to the bulky Hyundai A-League logo from front of the shirt to sleeve would free up some brilliant shirt designs and really cement the A-League as a real football league, and not something that is just following the likes of the AFL and NRL.
Keeping in mind that Super rugby has its league logo on the sleeve and just about every other association football league competition in the world, why should we be just replicating our two most commercial domestic sports leagues?
We can see, particularly from the Central Coast Mariners’ Asian Champions League shirt, just how good the shirts can look without a big A-League logo on the ‘other’ side of the jersey – particularly for Central Coast, who have a very symmetrical and centred jersey. It would be great to see this in the domestic competition so we can have some great designs.
Next season the A-League is going to be taking a step forwards as the the Reebok contract with the FFA, which is applied across the league, comes to an end.
Now we are going to see the likes of Adidas, Umbro, Hummel and maybe Puma signing with A-League teams. While some of these aren’t the biggest names in the shirt manufacturing business, it will finally offer some variety, style and interest into what has been some poor and boring designed shirts over the last six seasons.
If this move to free up shirt designs could only be complemented with a sleeve ‘league’ logo, things would really start to look like a professional football league – and I’m pretty sure many more people will start buying the shirts.
It just doesn’t look that good with the A-League badges clashing with clubs colours on the front of the kit.
The badge itself isn’t even contained in a box or closed element, it is more of a floating icon that clashes between colours and doesn’t look like it should be there.
You could virtually keep the same logo, put it on the right sleeve or both and contain it in a simple but elegant rounded square, like the Bundesliga or Spanish La Liga (LFP logo).
The previous year’s champions would get one with gold or silver on it to recognise their reign and it would really look like a real football league.
If this was done for next season along with the new kit manufacturers it would be a smart move from the FFA. It might be something small, but all the little things add up to form an authentic, professional league in the world’s biggest sport.
will
Guest
gotta disagree with you. having the logo on the sleeve is really important if we want good football shirt designs
Titus
Guest
I think its an important step on the path to clubs gaining independence from the FFA. Away from the franchise feel to genuine individual identities.
mintox
Guest
I agree that Rugby jerseys are ridiculously overpriced but considering the sterotypical demographic of people that support Rugby, it's not entirely surprising. Rugby like Football suffers from a false economy. EPL shirts used to be imported for prices around $110. It seems that despite being made in generic factories in China and shipped directly to Australia the prices haven't been reduced. But we're missing a trick, why not charge half the price of an EPL shirt and have kids and adults running around the training track with their local team shirt on? It would make a change from seeing the hundreds of Liverpool, Barca, Man U and Real shirts that you currently see. When the Glory entered the NSL, the Umbro and Kappa shirts were about $50 - $60 and every supporter bought one and you'd see it at training grounds all over Perth. That was in the days when the support was much more passionate than now. Now it's only for the die hard supporters and a case of out of sight, out of mind for anything Glory related. Even if you could afford it, why would you buy one, the material is inferior, the cut is uncomfortable and not suited to people with big frames, and lets not forget the awful designs. The current Glory designs is the best of a bad bunch, and it's away shirt looks like someone stuck together a bunch of off cuts in different colours to make it. I'm looking forward to new kit manufacturers!
thom_canberra
Roar Rookie
Heres link to the CCM Kit that I wanted to show: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/QrIikevJm0q/Tianjin+Teda+v+Central+Coast+Mariners+AFC/7vRJhSvT4eq/Shane+Huke
Tortion
Guest
I have to say the flag idea is pretty cringeworthy. We already have the socceroos copying the yanks with that hand on heart national anthem effort. Next they will be wearing pins with the Australian flags on their suits.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Go and buy a rugby jersey though, they are costing around $150 a unit.. A-League replica jerseys are actually competitively priced...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
There is a disturbing lack of sources in the article though... And considering Adidas actually own Reebok, they haven't really said much ;-)
apaway
Guest
Bring back the Admiral pattern stripe down the shirt sleeve and shorts!
Dasher39
Roar Rookie
It's not the biggest issue, or even in the top ten, but I agree with the article - it should be moved to the sleeve. It then allows you to turn it into an actual patch (as it is it's a very ugly, clumsy looking patch) where you can have a special gold edition for the Champions. It also allows the front of the shirt to look a lot neater. Unfortunately though I know it isn't going to change any time soon, in fact the FFA want the logo on the shorts too, but that isn't going to happen...for now anyway. Also Football Fan, it is 100% confirmed that the FFA isn't signing with Reebok again. The three manufacturers mentioned in the article have signed up teams as far as I know, and ISC have signed up Melbourne Heart. Hopefully it leads to better looking kits and better looking supporter wear. It's amazing how much of a difference more professional looking gear can make.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Hear hear. Like the Aleague logo, but location is a good point. I whinged about shirt designs a while ago: http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/10/18/a-leagues-fashion-faux-pas-over/ So I'm hoping with hew kit makers they provide some decent strips finally.
Brett McKay
Guest
Thom, I'll tell you why the "front" logo works well - most action photos of players are from front on, meaning you nearly always see the see the club, sponsor, and the competition logos in full view. It's essentially a free ad for the code, right there in the sports pages, the websites, the evening news. Put it on the sleeve, and straight away you're a 50-50 chance of being on the wrong side. And it's not just the local codes, either, check out where the NFL and NBA logos are on team strips. Either way, is that really the biggest issue confronting the A-League??
mintox
Guest
I can only hope that the designs improve and the quality of the replica is better now that we aren't locked into Reebok. More importantly I hope the price of the shirts drops significantly, our league runs in summer where, by and large it's warm enough to wear a shirt to the game (unlike in the EPL). We should be aiming to make it affordable enough for every single fan to turn up in their teams kit rather than the ridiculous situation of shirts that are made in China and costs less than $20, being sold for upwards of $100.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
That sounds unequivocal.
Titus
Guest
Pretty sure its a done deal. All clubs will be allowed to organise their own kit suppliers from next season. http://www.tribalfootball.com/a-league%E2%80%99s-reebok-deal-finish-end-season-1089631
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Yes, I had the same question. There has been a lot of discontent from fans since the first season about the universality of shirt designs, although that has been eased in the succeeding years. However, we have to remember that the FFA owns all of the intellectual property in relation to team colours. So it's likely that they will put the economic interests of the FFA/A-League first in deciding what happens post this Reebok deal, and that might well include sticking with Reebok.
Football Fan
Guest
Who says that the FFA won't just sign on with Reebok again?
Davo
Guest
I like the A-League logo. I went overseas recently with my Newcastle shirt and I had many people come up and ask me about it. (possibly because it was gold too!) However, the point is that it is proudly Australian and that's a good thing. I would even go further and put a flag on the sleeve just like the MSL in the States. I also am looking forward to next year when teams designs will be more individual and have different manufacturers.
nordster
Guest
agreed they will sell a bag full more shirts next season ... perfect timing as even people who bought the earlier reebok designs would be keen for a new strip by now hope we get a Puma kit as well... but JUST SAY NO to Errea, no low rent brands pls :P