Squad Numbers

[Dave77]

I think squad numbers should be made compulsory for all Eircom Premier league clubs. Makes the league look more professioinal. The numbers should be universal. What I mean no matter what brand the jersey is (umbro, diadora, oneills etc) the numbers should be the same. like SPL and Premiership.

it means kids can then start buying jerseys with their favourite players. I think it makes the league more appealing aswell.

The SPL does it and kids fom Falkirk for example can buy their favourite players numbers.
I think it would be a positve step.

[pineapple stu]

I think squad numbers should be made compulsory for all Eircom Premier league clubs.

See, the problem there is you've offered no back-up at all as to why it'd look more professional. You just think so because you've seen it on the telly. People running around in 99 or 81 doesn't look more professional - it looks silly and Americanised. We've already suggested that people actually aren't buying jerseys with squad numbers, yet you blindly say kids will buy them, again without a shred of proof.

Seriously, squad numbers have to be about the most deluded fad going.

[Dodge]

See, the problem there is you've offered no back-up at all as to why it'd look more professional. You just think so because you've seen it on the telly. People running around in 99 or 81 doesn't look more professional - it looks silly and Americanised. We've already suggested that people actually aren't buying jerseys with squad numbers, yet you blindly say kids will buy them, again without a shred of proof.

Seriously, squad numbers have to be about the most deluded fad going.

hardly a fad, if its been going about 15 years in some leagues. And the lack of squad numbers does point to a small time league. People easily influenced see dquad numbers in England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany etc

They see 1-11 on their local amateur teams and in the LOI. And all the "why do we have ape premiership" rubbish in the world doesn't stop the majority of people in this country comparing us to them constantly. Its not the most important thing but all these little small things add up.

The reasons I'd give for them are that it'd make it easier for new fans, particularly kids, to latch onto players names. Oh yeah and back when we had them, loads of people had names and numbers on their jersies

[Sniffer]

Agreed, what's the problem with trying to sell more replica jerseys, allowing kids the chance to wear the same shirt as their hero, it comes under 'improved marketing' surely?

[Graemerz]

all of the CPL sides in the Setanta Cup have them.

Yes, but Glens and Dungannon only use them in the Setanta Cup though. Domestically they just wear 1-11.

[noby]

But this improved marketing can surely be done without going to squad numbers. As I illuded to earlier, I see plenty of Waterford Hurling jerseys with 'McGrath' and '6' on the back. Moving to squad numbers won't necessarily sell you more jerseys.

[TheBoss]

Also, they might not confuse the referee, seeing the name and the number on the shirt

[monutdfc]

Whatever about squad numbers names are a bad idea, because players move clubs very frequently and so it would cost clubs a fortune in jerseys, especially towards the end of the season when younger players are given a game, and it looks really rubbish when you have names taped over

[Dodge]

Moving to squad numbers won't necessarily sell you more jerseys.

No, but it'll cost somebody an extra €20

It may not sell more jersies but it absolutely makes it easier for new fans (and again I stress the kids angle here) to identify with players

And we're not competing with the GAA, we're competing with football in other countries. They set the benchmark for everything, and wherever we don't match up, we're seen as inferior.

Personally it doesn't bother me in the slightest but go to any big european club shop and see what numbers and names can do for their "marketing"

Whatever about squad numbers names are a bad idea, because players move clubs very frequently and so it would cost clubs a fortune in jerseys, especially towards the end of the season when younger players are given a game, and it looks really rubbish when you have names taped over

Thats the reason why most clubs don't do it (I know it definitely was the reason Pats didn't do it the last few years). Which in fairness lends itself to the amatuerish argument

[noby]

Amatuerish or not, when money is tight squad jerseys can only be seen as a luxury. This is evident in the clubs that have dabbled in it, usually returning to 1-11 numbering.
After bringing my nephew to a few games, I understand the yoof angle, but sometimes you have to be practical too.

[Dodge]

I totally understand that point of view BUT if we're looking at any small steps that will help us market the game and players better to kids, this is one of those small things

[monutdfc]

But you can have numbers without names. All clubs will have 1-16, not many have first team squads much bigger than, say 22-24 players so that's only 6*3 = 18 extra shirts. makes it much easier to identify players on the opposition side.

[pineapple stu]

The reasons I'd give for them are that it'd make it easier for new fans, particularly kids, to latch onto players names.

Does it though? Seriously? I've never noticed people at UCD games having a problem identifying players.

I take your point about barstoolers comparing us to the Premiership, but then I'm one of those who doesn't think we should change just because it's the cool thing to do, so that reason doesn't register with me unfortunately.

[Jerry The Saint]

I've never noticed people at UCD games having a problem identifying players.

The people who go every week? This is designed to help kids and casual supporters. I've been at plenty of games where I've heard people going "Who's that guy?", "Good ball No. 7" etc.

The main benefit is for TV coverage - some kid tunes in, sees a game he likes but doesn't know any of the players. Then a couple of weeks later, the same team is on and he sees the player's name again. Starts to build a brand image of the players - goes to a few games, gets the jersey with his favourite player's name etc.

It's a big problem that many players in this league are only stars in their own minds. As I said Roddy, Dolan, Healy etc. are the recognisable faces of the game and this will do nothing to encourage new fans.

[pineapple stu]

The main benefit is for TV coverage - some kid tunes in, sees a game he likes but doesn't know any of the players. Then a couple of weeks later, the same team is on and he sees the player's name again. Starts to build a brand image of the players - goes to a few games, gets the jersey with his favourite player's name etc.

The implication here is that the kid gets the player's name from the back of his jersey? Would have thought listening to the commentator say the name would have been far more effective than squinting your eyes at the screen in the off-chance that you get a legible full view of the name on his back, to be honest.

[Cluba06]

Dundalk use them

[SwiftsSupporter]

Yes, but Glens and Dungannon only use them in the Setanta Cup though. Domestically they just wear 1-11.

Nope we've had squad numbers for a few seasons now.

[TheBoss]

I know that if a team qualifies for Europe that do not use names and numbers, they have too.

[Tis-smeee]

Dont like it myself tbh, turnover of players at waterford would make it unrealistic, even managers names would turnover every 4 months

[SligoBrewer]

Just out of interest's sake - did you ever see anyone in an eL jersey with a name and number on it? Very rare, as far as I can tell.

I agree with Jerry The Saint that any PR or recognisability is good for the league. I just don't think this gives good PR or recognisability.

i got foy 3 on the back of my shirt