The Origins of Club Colours

 

Juventus

Turin's Juventus is the most popular and successful football club in Italy. Thirty-five national titles, two European titles, three Uefa Cup victories, and a Cup-Winners' Cup to boot.

Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Baggio, Michel Platini, Zbigniew Boniek, Gaetano Scirea, and Zinadine Zidane all wore the renowned black and white stripes to win this silverware.But how did the legendary shirts come to be worn by La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady)?

It's not all doom and gloom.

The Sport Club Juventus wore white shirts and black shorts when it was founded in 1897, then a pink shirt and black tie owing to an error. The jerseys had faded so badly by 1903 that Juve asked his English friend John Savage if he knew of any shirt suppliers.

The black and white hoops were shipped out to Turin and gave the club is nickname i bianconeri (the black-and-whites)

In recent seasons, Juventus FC as is now known has used a pink second shirt as a nod to its history.

 Athletic Club de Bilbao

Athletic Club de Bilbao is notoriously Basque, and its red-and-white striped shirts and black shorts are recognised around the world. Where did they acquire those colours, though? The answer can be found in England…

Football team of the Basques Athletic Club de Bilbao is similar to Yorkshire County Cricket Club in that you had to be born in the area to play for the team.In the Basque Country, this includes both sides of the Pyrenees, as seen by Bixente Lizarazu's 16 appearances for the club in the 1990s.

This fervently patriotic team was formed by British industrialists, as were many other football clubs in Spain.

Bilbao, a significant port on Spain’s north coast, is extremely similar to Southampton, England, in terms of geography, industry, and importance. The football clubs in both cities wear red and white stripes with black shorts. This isn't an accident.

Before 1909, when Bilbao student Juan Elorduy bought up 50 shirts in Southampton on his way home, Athletic Club's original stripe was white, then blue-and-white halves. The colours are identical to those of Bilbao's flag. In 1910, the club adopted its now-famous colours.Surplus shirts from Elorduy's haul were transferred to Athletic's Madrid youth brand — the future Atlético de Madrid – unwittingly leaving Southampton FC's stamp on La Liga twice.

Boca Juniors

Boca Juniors is the famed blue and yellow half of Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital. Despite being behind its cross-city Superclásico rivals River Plate in domestic titles (36 to 30), Boca claims to have a larger fan base across the country.

In 1905, the Atlético Boca Juniors was founded in the rocky port district of La Boca (The Mouth) in the city, called for the place where the Riachuelo river enters the larger Ro de la Plata. It was founded by five Italian immigrants from Genoa, earning the fans the nickname "Xeneizes" (Genoese).Those 30 domestic titles and six Copa Libertadores may never have been won in the iconic azul y amarillo (blue and yellow) if it hadn't been for the need for a replacement shirt.

Boca's colours weren't always blue and yellow...

In 1905, Boca wore a white shirt with thin black vertical stripes before switching to a celeste (sky blue) shirt later that year.After then, there was a year of thin blue vertical stripes until 1906, when Boca played Nottingham de Almagro, who had a shirt similar to Boca's, to see who would preserve it. Boca was defeated.The club decided to adopt the colours of the Swedish Drottning Sophia, which was the first ship to arrive in port. It was blue and yellow, first as a diagonal stripe and then as a horizontal band from 1913 to the present.There have been rumours that Boca used to play in pink, which is reflected in their current away kits, although there is some debate about whether or not this is true.

How FIFA has changed the world

FIFA by EA Sports, without a doubt, has altered football. The rise of the computer game from a simple soccer simulator to a global behemoth that influences and informs the sport of football nearly beggars belief. Few could have predicted that FIFA International Soccer, which debuted in 1993, would become the cultural powerhouse that it has become. It's now more famous than the organisation it's named after 25 years.

To comprehend the transition from a niche product to a must-have release, consider the state of the football world in 1993 when the first FIFA was released. It was created for the North American market by EA Sports Canada, which is an important component in evaluating how far the game has progressed. Twenty-five years ago, the United States was a football desert: there was no national league, and there hadn't been in almost a decade, and there were no professional players outside of indoor soccer. The United States had been awarded the 1994 World Cup by FIFA, but the men's professional game did not exist for the vast majority of Americans. It was limited to women's soccer (mostly amateur), ethnic communities (who continued to play on a local level), and children. To put it another way, it wasn't a serious sport. It isn't hyperbole to claim that FIFA-soccer predates actual soccer in America on a national cultural level: FIFA 95 even went so far as to create a fictional American league for the game because there wasn't one to refer to in real life.

A number of reasons have contributed to the game's success in helping the sport become mainstream. First and foremost, there's the game's appearance. Because most Americans have little access to live elite soccer, they watch it on TV: FIFA deliberately does not resemble genuine soccer; instead, it resembles broadcast soccer, complete with all the bells and whistles that come with television coverage. Creating a game image that included world football stars and projected them in the same light as big American sports stars have gone a long way toward transforming soccer's image as a kid's game into one that is on par with baseball, basketball, and American football.FIFA's reality component takes care of this as well: starting with FIFA 95, the game can feature actual players, real teams, real stadiums, and motion-captured athletes. Everything that American sports fans expected from Madden were delivered in FIFA. It's evolved significantly over time.

FIFA's influence extends far beyond football. The soundtracks have always been as eagerly anticipated as the games, and they have the power to create or destroy bands. In the mid-to-late 1990s, the Cool Britannia cultural movement merged the good aspects of England's hosting of Euro 96 with the pinnacle of Britpop: naturally, FIFA 97 included Britpop superstars Blur as its lead artist. It provided a forum for some groups that might not have gotten much airtime otherwise.

The FIFA 19 World Tour has attempted to bring these components together, with Stormzy and Dapaah facing off against Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard of Manchester United and England, respectively. On the other hand, the FIFA 19 World Tour has seen A$AP Rocky and Odell Beckham Jr. explain their love of soccer as children and then FIFA as adults – it was unthinkable in 1993 that two significant, mainstream US stars would be seen playing soccer in any way - now, they're playing FIFA. It's one thing for FIFA to have made a significant contribution to the game's development in the United States. Even fewer people could have predicted how it would impact the wider sport and transform the way communities with more than a century of football heritage enjoy the game back in 1993. We are now witnessing the retirement of the last generation to have grown up without FIFA: realistically, every player under the age of 32 has grown up with both the video game and the actual game.

The impact this has on footballers' perceptions of the game should not be overlooked. The ability to try new things, especially skill manoeuvres, has always been a feature of FIFA, although it is sometimes viewed as showboating by professionals. Many professionals now understand the thrills of humiliating an opponent in the FIFA style and are less hesitant to try it on the field.

Furthermore, players build their own personal brands based on their performance in the game: although Americans are accustomed to the adoration lavished on Michael Jordan, for example, European and South American football stars were completely unfamiliar with this prior to FIFA. Players such as Neymar and Paul Pogba have carefully created online personas that nearly allude to their gaming aliases, while others, such as Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Antoine Griezmann, have goal celebrations that appear to be tailored to be emulated on FIFA.

FIFA's organisational structure has facilitated this shift toward individual football stars. The Ultimate Team feature, which was initially introduced in FIFA 2010, separates players from their teams and allows them to design their own lineups, resulting in a newer generation of fans that identify with the players as much as the clubs they represent. This has spilt over into how people consume football offline: all one has to do is switch on Twitter on a Champions League night to observe the multitude of Cristiano Ronaldo followers who are no longer loyal to his old team, Real Madrid. The FIFA train is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon: the most recent iteration, FIFA 21, is once again regarded as one of the best games of the year, and the FIFA 21 World Tour is now bringing the game to new cultural heights.

Football and the sponsors

Football, a hugely popular sport, has long been associated with a number of well-known businesses. These companies are looking for publicity and being linked with any football team, player, or organisation is crucial to their success. Football sponsorship, whether you like it or not, is an important part of modern football. Because obtaining sponsorship gives them money, it is a way for them to improve their performance in comparison to their competitors. So, who are the most prominent soccer sponsors? Which company is the most generous in terms of sponsorship? Yes, in this article, we will provide you with a list of the Top Football Sponsors in the World, as well as a brief description of their engagement in this exciting sport. Take a look around and have fun!

Coca Cola

Coca-Cola has sponsored stadiums since 1950, and it has been an official World Cup partner since 1978. The Coca-Cola Company is FIFA's "longest-standing" business partner and has a worldwide following. Coca-Cola, the world's largest beverage company, has a long-standing relationship with UEFA.

Nike

Nike is a well-known brand that has sponsored football kits for several of the world's most famous teams, including Manchester United, Barcelona, and Brazil. It also produces boots that are autographed by world-famous footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo. This brand has grown to the point where it is now an official World Cup sponsor

.

Barclays

Since 2001, Barclays Banks has been a Premier League sponsor. It has backed sport in South Africa as the Absa Premiership domestic football competition's sponsor. Because of the global nature of the Barclays sponsorship arrangement, the brand benefits from the Premier League's global reach. Barclays also sponsors the Football Writers' Association, the League Managers' Association, and the Professional Footballers' Association in the United Kingdom.

Adidas

Adidas has had to maintain momentum in order to keep up with its rivals. Since 1970, this German firm has provided match balls for every World Cup. It has also kept its UEFA contracts for the European Championships and Champions League. Adidas is an integral part of the FIFA World Cup story, quite literally featuring at the heart of the action at every tournament since the 1970 World Cup.

Pepsi

Another significant name on the list of the World's Biggest Soccer Sponsors is Pepsi. Players such as Thierry Henry, Leo Messi, Frank Lampard, Kaka, and Didier Drogba have all endorsed this brand. The official soft drink of Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation is Pepsi. Because of its unique grasp of innovative marketing strategies, PepsiCo is a perfect partner for Manchester United.

Redbull

This is an Austrian energy drink company that has sponsored a lot of football teams. The Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls are two of the clubs that have been brought together and named after this company. It is the world's most popular energy drink, and it has partnerships with various football teams. The tagline of the Red Bull firm is "Red Bull gives you wings." The football club which Red Bull owns in Austria is called FC Red Bull Salzburg.

Samsung

Since 2005, this is an electronic firm that has sponsored Chelsea's shirts. The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations was held in Angola, and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations was held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Samsung Sports is the multi-sport club and sports marketing division of the Samsung Group in South Korea.

Football and Fitness

Football is a simple, all-encompassing sport. But, in addition to being a ball sport, it's also an activity that improves your endurance and aerobic fitness due to constant running. Football skills and moves are physical workouts that help you tone up and improve your coordination. Football, as a team sport, also has numerous mental health benefits!

Top 5 Benefits Of Playing Football Game

1. Improve your Endurance with football Football is a team sport in which the focus is on running. During a match, adults can run up to 10 kilometres. You'll gain an endurance boost in addition to having fun kicking free kicks into the net and tackling anything that gets past the halfway line. Your matches and training sessions will strengthen your cardio and breathing if you do them on a regular basis.

2. Improve your strength with football Unless you want to spend the entire game on the bench, which no one likes to do, you'll experience multiple shifts of pace throughout the game. You'll be speeding and potentially running backwards and forwards in your channel depending on your position. There's no time to take a break; all you have to do now is wait until the next pause! As we continue to accelerate and sprint, our strength will develop.

3. The benefits of football for your body Football isn't simply about running about with your feet! You must employ all of your physical abilities, like in many team sports. You'll be stretching and working on your balance whether you're diving to save goals or jumping for headers. Running and accelerating will help you improve your speed, which is one of the most important aspects of this activity. And participating in a sport that does not require you to use your hands can considerably increase your abilities!

4. The team benefits of football It's not just about fitness in football; it's also about formation. Football requires team spirit and cohesion, whether you play as a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. To improve your team, you must stick to your strategies, respect your teammates, and communicate on the field. It's a sport that teaches you that a team's quality and potential is greater than its individual elements. Dedicated tea and a tight formation

5. Football: technical and physical benefits Football requires you to perform a wide range of motions and technical skills, all of which will help you enhance your physical fitness. First and foremost, sprinting and handling the ball with your feet will improve your coordination tremendously! Your thighs, glutes, and abs will gain muscle mass via running, jumping, and kicking. Furthermore, your proprioception and flexibility are enhanced by numerous technical skills.

6. Teamwork If it weren't for their teammates, great players like Messi and Ronaldo would not have progressed to where they are now in the game. This demonstrates that you cannot become a legend without the help of your teammates. Football teaches you a lot about working together and being selfless. Always be a team player and supporter.

7. Muscle strength Football can help you acquire strength in both your lower and upper body. Running on the pitch, shooting, dribbling, passing, jumping, and tackling all help to build your lower body. And guarding the ball, throwing ins, and holding off the opponent strengthens your upper body. In this approach, football aids in the development of overall muscle strength.

8. Aerobic capacity We require a high level of stamina due to all the running in this game. Hence, you tend to increase your aerobic capacity as you keep moving and changing your speed throughout the game. You should be able to do the same thing again and again which will increase your stamina.

9. Cardiovascular health In a football game, a player runs for approximately 8 to 11 kilometres. Their heart rate is always elevated as a result of their frequent jogging. And it's a fantastic kind of cardiovascular workout as well as a great way to keep your body in good shape. Continuous running also aids in the prevention of plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries.

10. Muscle tone and body fat This sport can lower body fat as it burns fats and calories due to all the physical workouts. It also helps you build muscle mass and get a toned body. Players tend to burn more calories during the game when compared to their regular workout sessions. Football does not discriminate. You can play it anywhere. There just needs to be a ball and a goal post, you are all ready to go.‍If you really are dedicated to the sport and ready to give your best during every match and practice session, you can make this a career for you.

Kolkata Derby

In the world of Indian sports, football holds a special place in heart of sports lovers. Anyone in Kolkata on the day of a Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal match, on the other hand, would disagree. The tussle between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan dubbed the Kolkata Derby, is Asia's longest footballing rivalry, with a rich 100-year history. Looking back, these are some of the reasons why the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal rivalry is considered one of the most ferocious in the world.

Bengalis are Indians from the eastern region of the country who speak Bengali. Those from the erstwhile undivided Bengal (now West Bengal) during the British Raj are known as 'Ghotis,' whereas those from the eastern portion (now Bangladesh) are known as 'Bangals.' Mohun Bagan, one of Asia's oldest clubs, was founded in 1889. After defeating East Yorkshire Regiment in the 1911 IFA Shield final, the Mariners became famous. In India's pre-independence era, they were the first all-Indian club to defeat a British team for a major prize. Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri, an industrialist and vice-president of Jorabagan, and Manmatha Nath Chaudhuri(Raja of Santosh after whom the Santosh Trophy was named) founded East Bengal on August 1,1920.

The club's name alludes to the fact that it was formed to represent the East Bengali immigrant population in Kolkata (across the River Padma, now in Bangladesh) Mohun Bagan represented the established bastion of the Ghotis, both on and off the football pitch, in East Bengal, which became home to millions of immigrants who were often considered as outsiders in Kolkata at the time. Although India has the footballing pedigree of many of the other famous rivals, in terms of raw emotion and passion, the Kolkata Derby can equal any of them blow for blow, fan for fan, and chant for chant.

The Ilish (Hilsa) vs Chingri (Prawns) fish conflicts that follow the Kolkata Derby are maybe one of the most interesting examples of it since they set it apart from any other sporting rivalry in the world. Bengalis' love for football is only surpassed by their desire to eat fish. The preferences, on the other hand, vary by area. Bangals, or supporters of East Bengal, have a unique fondness for hilsa, whilst Ghotis, or supporters of Mohun Bagan, prefer prawns. Due to the increased demand for both species on Kolkata Derby days, prices of both fishes are known to skyrocket throughout Bengal.

The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goes beyond sport. Rather, it's a metaphorical battle between two very similar but diametrically opposed ways of existence.It wasn't uncommon for entire neighbourhoods in Kolkata and Bengal to be painted in team colours, such as red and gold for East Bengal and green and maroon for Mohun Bagan, until the 1990s. The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal has grown to be pan-Indian, if not worldwide, over the years. With their arrival into the ISL, the trend is only expected to continue. But the true significance of the historic Kolkata Derby still lies in the local intricacies. It’s personal. 

What to Wear to a Football Game: How to Look Elegant While You Cheer (or Pretend You're Watching)

Football season is here, and going to a game, whether live or on TV, is one of those occasions when you could find yourself wondering, "What in the world should I wear?!?" Warmth, comfort, and a dash of personality are all important. It's not a bad idea to give your game day attire some thought. You want to put on something that is both useful and fashionable.

GAMEDAY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE LADIES

Let’s start with the ladies. For the big game, you need an outfit that’s easy to move in (too-tight dresses are a no-go), classy and bursting with school spirit. Before we dive into it, let’s go over a few major don’ts of the game day fashion

• Leave pricey jewellery at home

• Wear comfortable shoes-

• Choose your handbag wisely

With that out of the way, here are a few ideas to give you some game day fashion inspo:

• PREPPY CHIC - You really can’t go wrong with prep-inspired clothing at a football game. For a preppy-chic look, consider wearing a striped t-shirt dress in your school’s colours. Pair it with classic sneakers for a cute look that is perfect for playing tailgate games or cheering from the stands. 

• CASUAL LOOK - Prefer a casual outfit that doesn’t go overboard with game-day spirit? Wear an off-the-shoulder top in your team’s colours with a cute pair of women's khaki shorts and sandals. On top of being super versatile, this look is guaranteed to beat the brutal heat of those first few games of the season. 

• WHAM, GLAM, THANK YOU, MA’AM - Want to look glamorous for the big game? Consider wearing a game day dress in your home team’s colours for a stylish yet spirited look. Opt for a classy pair of heels and be sure to keep a more practical pair of shoes in your purse

• KEEP IT CUTE - Sometimes, all a girl really wants in a game day outfit is something cute and classic. We’re talking about the classic game day outfit: A collegiate t-shirt, a cute pair of denim shorts and some fashionable sneakers. Throw on a baseball cap, some football eye black stickers and maybe some glitter, and there you have it—a no-fuss outfit that you can play up in a million different ways.

• JERSEY GIRL - The first way to wear a football jersey is to treat it like a dress (just make sure that it’s long enough for this) and pair it with a cute pair of white Vans (cowgirl boots work well, too). Wear some spandex shorts underneath so you can run around, play tailgate games, do a keg stand—you know, the usual tailgate activities.

GAMEDAY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE GUYS

Now, it’s time for the guys. You would think that guys would have an easier time dressing for a football game. Just wear your best collegiate tailgate apparel and call it good, right? 

Well, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, there are a few quick rules we need to go over:

• Skip the body paint

• Read the Room

• Say no to beer hats

• Don’t wear shirts that show sweat stains. Pit stains just aren’t a good look on anyone.

• Check the forecast before you leave for the stadium

 Okay, let’s move on to some game day outfits for men

• BEAT THE HEAT IN CLASSIC STYLE - a lot of guys just want to look good for the big game without sacrificing their comfort or style. If this sounds like you, keep it simple yet classic by wearing blue jeans and a performance polo shirt in your team colours. Complete the look with a fresh pair of kicks and make sure to wear moisture-wicking socks.

• MATURE WITH A SIDE OF TEAM SPIRIT- For the guy who wants to look mature and professional without appearing too stuffy, this one’s for you: Wear a nice pair of trim-fit chinos with a classic Oxford shirt in your team colours. Finish the look with comfortable, white sneakers.

• PREP-INSPIRED FOR FALL - As we mentioned earlier, preppy clothing fits right in at any sporting event. Why not ramp up the prep-inspired look with a button-down shirt underneath a collegiate quarter-zip pullover and chino pants? This preppy men’s outfit is perfect for chilly days in the fall and is a classic look you can wear anywhere.

• COMFORTABLE, BUT YOU STILL WANT TO LOOK GOOD - For a comfortable yet pulled together game day look, opt for a pair of dark brown chinos (for additional style points, cuff ’em like they do here) and a plaid shirt in your team’s colours. Wear a sweater vest over it and a beanie emblazoned with your team’s logo

Now, go forth and rock your fall Saturdays in true football style. See you in the stands and watch parties!

A tale of a city obsessed by football

Calcutta (yeah, I realise it's now Kolkata, but Calcutta will always be Calcutta to me) has always been the home of the odd and unusual. It is claimed that the stomach is the gateway to a Bengali's heart. When it comes to Bengali cuisine, though, the city of pleasure has a football connection. Prawns or lobster are the sea food of choice for a die-hard Mohun Bagan supporter.However, it is heresy if an East Bengal fan is seen eating lobsters on a day when his team wins, because the delicacy to be savoured by an East Bengal fan is Hilsa.Bengal’s obsession with football is well-known. Those who have never met a Bengali football fan have certainly missed out on the fervour with which he or she expresses their love for Mohun Bagan or East Bengal, depending on which side of the modern-day Bengal border they came from. So, what accounts for Bengal's unusual fondness for a sport in which India has yet to compete at the highest level? Football, like cricket, badminton, lawn tennis, and table tennis, is a sport that former colonial rulers passed down to Indians.The British began playing football in India in the late 1800s, and they frequently utilised the field to demonstrate their supremacy over the "natives," notably Bengalis, whom they portrayed as effeminate and lacking in ideal physical traits. By the turn of the century, however, this same sport became a means through which the Bengalis expressed their nationalistic fervour.Many British thought it was their imperial responsibility to ‘improve' Bengali physiques and encourage people to participate in sports for their own enjoyment. Football teams began to form at prestigious colleges such as Presidency College, Shibpur Engineering College, St. Xavier's College, and La Martiniere College. Alumni from these universities went on to form some of Bengal's most well-known football clubs.The most famous of these was Bhupendra Nath Bose's Mohun Bagan, which he founded in 1889. Mohun Bagan would go on to define Bengali pride in football, with triumphs over European teams symbolising the colonizer's determination to overthrow the colonisers.Mohun Bagan would go on to define Bengali pride in football, with triumphs over European teams symbolising the colonizer's determination to overthrow the colonisers. Football was no longer only a way of copying the British to gain respect in the early 1900s. It was also the best location for fighting the British.The football stadium became a popular hangout for Bengalis who were hesitant to participate in the independence war. They came to view football as a potent nationalist gesture and defeating the British was considered necessary for their emotional satisfaction.

The nationalist fervour attached to football found its strongest outburst when in 1911 Mohun Bagan defeated the East Yorks team 2-1 in the historic final of July 29, 1911. Mohun Bagan’s victory was decisive in elevating football to a whole other level of nationalist pride.They began to see football as a powerful nationalist gesture, and defeating the British was seen as crucial for emotional fulfilment. When Mohun Bagan defeated The East York team 2-1 in the historic final on July 29, 1911, the nationalist enthusiasm associated with football reached its pinnacle. The win of Mohun Bagan was significant in bringing football to a new level of national pride.In the same year, 1911, the British relocated the raj's capital from Calcutta to Delhi.Recent commemoration of Mohun Bagan's victory, for example, have overlooked the coincidence. If it is a coincidence, it is exceedingly unlikely that one caused the other, and the British adroitly and deliberately moved the seat of power from Bengal, away from its skilled footballers and bomb-wielding patriots, to avoid additional humiliation.The win of Mohun Bagan was significant in lifting football to a new level of nationalist pride.Football has continued to determine Bengali pride and the ability to advance beyond intellectual topics over time, despite the fact that the British left India over 70 years ago. It played a crucial role in debunking the widely known reputation of Bengalis as "lazy."