Top 10 football teams that changed their colours in history
Juventus’ black and white kits are inspired and advised by an English side.
Football teams and their jerseys go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Mention Chelsea, and you’ll instantly picture that iconic blue kit. Likewise, Liverpool’s red and Manchester United’s deep crimson come to mind without a second thought.
But the connection goes beyond just the fabric – it’s the emotions these colours invoke, and how they’ve come to define the very essence of the club. For instance, Chelsea is affectionately known as “The Blues,” Liverpool as “The Reds,” and Tottenham Hotspur, well, they’re “The Lilywhites”. So, these colours are not just a fashion statement; they symbolize a legacy, a badge, and a fanbase united by one hue.
But here’s the kicker: What if I told you that some of the clubs we know and love today didn’t always sport their signature colours? Imagine Chelsea ditching blue for something else, or Manchester United not being the fiery red warriors we’ve come to expect. You’re in for a colourful surprise.
In our feature article, we’ll dive into the history of these 10 major clubs and their evolution in the colour department. It’s a journey through the changing palette of football, and no, it’s not a chameleon-style transformation, I promise! Stay tuned – this is one colour swap you won’t want to miss.
10. Cardiff City
In 2012, Cardiff City FC, the pride of Wales, took an unexpected and rather audacious step that left fans and football enthusiasts scratching their heads. Under the ownership of Vincent Tan, the Welsh club made the bold decision to rebrand their entire identity, changing their iconic blue jersey to a fiery red one. Why, you ask? Well, Tan explained that red was his “lucky color,” and he believed it was the key to bringing success to the club.
In one fell swoop, Cardiff’s beloved blue was replaced with red, a color that Tan felt would bring a new era of fortune. But the changes didn’t stop there. The club’s crest, which had long featured a bluebird, was also revamped to include a red dragon, a powerful national symbol of Wales.
Tan, in his own words, expressed his distaste for the bluebird and claimed that the red dragon would be a harbinger of success and a miracle for the club. However, this drastic shift didn’t go down well with the fans. They weren’t just upset by the new colour scheme, they felt that the heart of the club’s tradition was being stripped away.
Over the next three years, the backlash intensified, and the Welsh faithful made their voices heard. Finally, in 2015, after considerable protest, Cardiff City FC returned to its roots, with the blue jersey making a triumphant return. But in a nod to the previous years, the bluebird remained on the badge, albeit now accompanied by a small red dragon, a compromise that signified a delicate balance between the club’s heritage and the experiment of the past. The saga of Cardiff City’s colour change became a case study in football rebranding, reminding us that some traditions are too sacred to be altered so easily.
9. Luton Town
Luton Town, affectionately known as the Hatters, have had a rather whimsical relationship with their kit colours over the years, with the club constantly oscillating between orange and white jerseys, a back-and-forth saga that has seen more twists and turns than a drama series. The club, based at the historic Kenilworth Road, is no stranger to change, having altered their home kit colour over 10 to 12 times throughout their 139-year history. It all began in 1973 when Luton Town first adopted the now-iconic orange shirt as their primary colour, swapping it out for white just six years later.
But that’s not the end of the story. They brought back the orange in the 1990-2000 season, only to return to the white kit a decade later in 2009, perhaps feeling that the orange had lost its charm. It was as if their kit choice was on a cycle, one that seemed to echo the changing seasons of football itself.
The rollercoaster of colours continued, with the team reverting to their vibrant orange once more, and it stuck through their 2023-2024 Premier League campaign. This time, their orange kit became a symbol of their remarkable promotion to the top tier of English football. While Luton Town’s stint in the Premier League was short-lived, marked by a swift relegation, the orange shirt became emblematic of their brief yet proud return to the big league.
Now, as the club look ahead, the question remains: will Luton Town continue in their signature orange, or will they once again make the bold choice to return to the classic white? Only time will tell if the Hatters will keep their fiery hue or if they’ll rekindle the nostalgia of their white-shirted days. One thing is for sure, when it comes to Luton Town, you never quite know what color they’ll sport next.
8. Juventus
Juventus, one of Italy’s most iconic and successful football clubs, boasts a history as rich as the black and white stripes they are now synonymous with. Nicknamed I Bianconeri, or “The White and Blacks,” Juventus weren’t always associated with their classic striped look. In fact, the club’s journey began with a rather unexpected choice: pink jerseys.
Back in the early 20th century, Juventus donned pink shirts, a colour that quickly became emblematic of the team. However, there was one glaring issue, repeated washing caused the pink dye to fade, leaving players and supporters dissatisfied with the look and durability. Faced with this sartorial dilemma, the club turned to one of its players, Englishman John Savage, for help.
Savage reached out to his former team, Notts County, in England, asking if they could supply Juventus with an alternative kit. Notts County generously sent over a set of black-and-white striped jerseys, which were not only sturdy but also carried a timeless elegance. Juventus adopted the new look in 1903, and from that moment onward, the black-and-white stripes became a defining feature of the club’s identity.
The change proved to be more than just aesthetic; under the black and white banner, Juventus went on to win countless accolades and establish themselves as a powerhouse in Italian and global football. Today, those iconic stripes are more than a jersey, they’re a symbol of a legacy steeped in triumph and tradition.
7. Borussia Dortmund
Ah, Borussia Dortmund – the club that have made yellow and black its trademark, not just in terms of jerseys, but as a symbol of their fierce energy and passion. They’re so iconic in those colours that it’s hard to imagine them in anything else, right? But here’s the twist: In their early days, Borussia Dortmund weren’t always the team we know today in black and yellow stripes.
In fact, when the club were founded in 1909, they didn’t sport those iconic colours at all. Instead, for the first few years, Borussia Dortmund played in blue and white striped shirts with a red sash. It wasn’t until 1913 that the club adopted the black and yellow colours that have since become synonymous with their identity.
Of course, Dortmund didn’t stop there. Over the years, their jersey underwent several tweaks, including the introduction of the now-famous neon strip. That neon touch turned out to be more than just a stylish upgrade – it was a good luck charm! Dortmund went on to win the 1996-97 UEFA Champions League while sporting those neon jerseys.
Talk about a powerful colour change! So, while their current black and yellow striped shirts are iconic, Borussia Dortmund’s history shows that sometimes it’s the early changes that lay the groundwork for greatness. Who knew those early blue and white shirts with a red sash would eventually give way to one of the most recognizable kits in football?
6. Brazil national team
It was back in 1950, at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Brazil, that a match would forever alter the trajectory of football history. The game, famously known as the Maracanazo, saw Uruguay take on Brazil in a high-stakes encounter that would go down in legend. The stadium was packed with a sea of Brazilian supporters, their hopes and dreams hanging on the outcome of this pivotal match.
The home side looked to be on their way to victory when Brazil’s Friaca broke the deadlock, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the joy was fleeting, as Uruguay’s Juan Alberto Schiaffino equalized in the 66th minute, and then, just minutes later, Alcides Ghiggia scored the decisive goal, handing Uruguay a shocking 2-1 victory.
This unexpected and painful defeat on home soil was felt deeply across Brazil, and many believed that the loss was tied to the jersey itself. The white and blue kit worn by the Brazilian national team lacked the sense of national pride and identity that the passionate Brazilian supporters craved. The defeat sparked a wave of introspection, and in response, a competition was organized to design a new jersey that would better represent the Brazilian spirit.
The winner of the competition was a 19-year-old named Aldyr Garcia, whose design featured the now-iconic yellow shirt with green trim. The new look debuted at the 1954 World Cup, and from that moment on, Brazil would never look back. The bright, bold yellow jersey became a symbol of the nation’s footballing pride, and with it, Brazil went on to become the most successful team in the history of the sport, collecting five World Cup trophies and cementing their legacy as the undisputed giants of world football.
5. Liverpool
While Arne Slot’s Liverpool continue their pursuit of the Premier League title with fierce determination, it’s intriguing to remember that the club, founded in 1892, weren’t always the red-clad giant we see today. In fact, Liverpool‘s early years were quite different from the team we recognize now. For the first five years of its existence, the club wore blue jerseys, a far cry from the iconic red that would later define their legacy.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: the famous Anfield stadium, home to Liverpool’s passionate supporters, wasn’t always theirs. Originally, Everton played their matches at Anfield before moving to Goodison Park. It was only after Everton’s departure that Liverpool Football Club took over the stadium and began their ascent to greatness.
Fast forward to 1960, and Liverpool underwent a dramatic transformation in both their playstyle and their appearance. While they initially wore red shirts in 1967, it was in the mid-1960s that they made the bold decision to go completely red. According to reports from that time, including statements from some of Liverpool’s renowned players, the decision to adopt an all-red kit was heavily influenced by the club’s legendary manager, Bill Shankly.
Shankly, ever the strategist, believed that the color red would create a psychological advantage, instilling fear in opposition teams. His vision proved prophetic, as the “Reds” went on to dominate both English and European football, and the red jersey became synonymous with the club’s identity. From that moment on, Liverpool’s striking red became an emblem of power, passion, and an unyielding pursuit of success, shaping the club’s enduring legacy in the football world.
4. Chelsea
Ah, Chelsea – the Blues! It’s hard to imagine them in any other colour, right? After all, blue has become synonymous with the club’s identity, its passion, and its history. But here’s a fun twist in their colourful journey: In their first year, Chelsea didn’t actually sport their iconic blue. Instead, they chose a seafoam green jersey! Yes, you read that right – seafoam green! It wasn’t just a random choice, either.
This particular colour was inspired by the mint foam, a lighter greyish-green shade, and it paid homage to the racing colors of the club’s owner at the time, Earl Cadogan, whose horse racing team donned similar hues. Can you imagine the Chelsea fans back then, cheering their team on while decked out in green?
Fast forward to 2023-24, and Chelsea decided to pay a nostalgic tribute to that unique start by incorporating the seafoam green into their third kit. They launched a fresh mint green shorts combo, reminiscent of the color they wore in their early days.
It was as if Chelsea were saying, “Hey, remember when we weren’t quite the Blues yet?” It’s a cool little nod to history, though, isn’t it? So, while the Blues are proudly back in their true blue glory, the seafoam green jersey will always have a special place in Chelsea’s colourful past.
3. Manchester United
Manchester United, one of the most storied and celebrated football clubs in the world, have a rich history that traces back to its origins as Newton Heath in 1878. In its early days, the club weren’t always synonymous with the iconic red shirts, white shorts, and black socks we see today. Instead, they frequently experimented with different jersey colours, including the now-famous green and gold striped kit.
This particular design, a nod to the club’s humble beginnings, has remained an emblem of tradition and resilience. Interestingly, the green and gold jersey made a dramatic comeback in recent years—not on the pitch, but as a powerful symbol of anti-Glazer protests. Fans donned the retro colours to voice their dissatisfaction with the club’s American owners, the Glazers, reigniting nostalgia for the club’s roots.
The transition to United’s signature red kit occurred in 1902 when the club officially rebranded. Despite this shift, the green and gold legacy hasn’t been forgotten. In the 1992-93 season, the club paid homage to its history by introducing a half-green, half-gold jersey as part of their kit lineup, blending modernity with heritage.
This tribute was not just a design choice but a celebration of the club’s evolution from its modest beginnings to its global dominance. Whether it’s on the terraces or in fan-led protests, the green and gold colours continue to remind supporters of the unity and passion that has defined Manchester United for over a century.
2. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich, one of Germany’s most successful and celebrated football clubs, have become synonymous with the color red, a hue that’s firmly embedded in their identity. However, the club’s early years were not defined by the iconic red kits we associate them with today. Founded in 1900 by a group of 11 players led by Franz John, Bayern Munich originally donned white and blue jerseys during their first six years.
It wasn’t until 1906 that the club made a pivotal change, finally making the bold switch to red. While we can’t picture Bayern in any other colour now, the red jerseys have been a constant fixture only since the 1960s, when the club made its entry into the Bundesliga, Germany’s top-tier football division.
From that point on, red became an inseparable part of Bayern Munich’s visual identity. Over the decades, the club have sometimes introduced variations, such as incorporating white or blue alongside red for their home kits, but red remains the dominant color in their iconic jersey. The club’s nickname, Die Rotten (The Reds), speaks to the dominance and pride that the colour red represents for the team and its passionate fanbase.
The red shirts have become a symbol of Bayern’s dominance on the pitch, a colour that’s seen countless Bundesliga titles and European triumphs. Whether in the stands or on the field, the colour red unites the Bayern faithful, echoing their slogan, Mia San Mia, which speaks to their unshakable confidence and loyalty.
1. Inter Milan
Inter Milan, one of Italy’s most prestigious football clubs, are globally known for their iconic black and blue striped jerseys, a colour combination that has become synonymous with the team’s identity. However, the club’s colour history isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Back in the 1920s, a significant event in Italy’s political landscape forced a change in Inter Milan’s usual colours.
Under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the Italian government orchestrated the merger of two Milanese clubs, resulting in the formation of Unione Sportiva Milanese. During this forced merger, Inter Milan had to temporarily abandon their beloved black and blue stripes for a white shirt adorned with a red cross, symbolizing the flag of Milan. This jersey was worn by the team during the 1928-29 season, marking a brief but notable deviation from their traditional look.
Fast forward to the 2007-08 season, and Inter Milan paid a poignant tribute to that one season of historical significance by introducing the Red Cross once more, albeit as part of their away kit. This homage to their roots was a nod to the challenging times and the iconic identity they had forged since.
While the red cross jersey only made a brief return, it remains an important chapter in Inter’s history, illustrating how the club’s colours have always been tied to the evolving political and social landscapes in Italy. Though the black and blue stripes have remained their hallmark, this small historical detour serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability that Inter Milan have shown through the decades.
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