From W-M to the No 10, shirt numbers tell a story of football’s tactical evolution
The evolution of football tactics is intricately woven into the history of shirt numbers, transforming them from positional indicators to symbols of individual brilliance and tactical roles.
Long before players were assigned permanent squad numbers, the digits emblazoned on their jerseys served as a clear map of their position on the field. This practice offered a glimpse into the tactical thinking of the era, dictating not only where a player stood but also the specific attributes they were expected to embody. The journey from the early days of numbered shirts to the modern era, where certain numbers carry immense cultural weight, tells a compelling story of football’s tactical development.
The fascination with numbers in football extends beyond mere identification. The No 10, for instance, is almost universally revered, particularly in Argentina, where it traditionally signifies the playmaker, the ‘enganche’, a near-mythical figure responsible for linking defence and attack. Clubs also honour legendary figures by retiring specific numbers, such as Ajax’s tribute to Johan Cruyff with No 14, Milan’s retirement of No 3 and No 6 for Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi respectively, and Birmingham City’s recognition of Jude Bellingham with No 22. These gestures underscore the profound connection between players and their numbers.
Beyond individual accolades, the numbers themselves, especially in the pre-squad numbering era, were potent indicators of a player’s role and the tactical systems in place. The expectations associated with particular numbers varied across cultures and reflected the evolving demands placed upon players. This historical perspective reveals how shirt numbers have mirrored and, at times, even driven football’s tactical transformations.
The earliest documented instances of teams wearing numbered shirts date back to 1911, with a match between Australian sides Sydney Leichhardt and HSM Powerful. The University of Chicago’s American football team adopted squad numbers in 1913, and baseball saw experiments with numbers on sleeves from 1916. In soccer, isolated uses of numbered shirts appeared in the American Soccer League, which commenced in 1923, and notably in the USA’s Challenge Cup. Touring teams also began experimenting with numbers throughout the 1920s.
A significant step occurred in England on the opening day of the 1928 league season. Two games featured numbered players: Chelsea’s outfielders wore numbers 2-11 against Swansea, while Sheffield Wednesday sported 1-11 and Arsenal numbers 12-22 in a First Division encounter. This marked a gradual shift towards a more standardized system.
The 1933 FA Cup final saw a more comprehensive use of 1-22 numbering. This was partly necessitated by a colour clash between Everton and Manchester City, forcing them to wear alternative kits. The presence of the touring West Indies cricket side, unfamiliar with individual players, was also cited as a reason for the numbering.
It wasn’t until June 1939 that the Football League formally voted to introduce squad numbers. The proposal passed by a margin of 24-20. The decision stipulated that both teams should wear numbers 1-11, assigned in strict positional order, as if the formation were laid out on a page with the goalkeeper at the top.
The W-M Formation and its Numbered Legacy
By the late 1920s, most teams had adopted the W-M formation (a 3-2-2-3) in response to the 1925 change in the offside law. However, a lingering belief in the efficacy of the older 2-3-5 formation still influenced numbering conventions. Consequently, the goalkeeper wore No 1, the right-back No 2, the left-back No 3, the right-half No 4, and the centre-half No 5. This continued up to the centre-forward in No 9, the inside-left in No 10, and the left-winger in No 11.
In practice, this numbering system reflected the tactical nuances of the W-M. The centre-half (No 5) operated between the two full-backs (Nos 2 and 3), forming a defensive trio. The inside-forwards (Nos 8 and 10) played deeper than the wingers and centre-forward (Nos 7, 9, and 11), creating a midfield presence.
These numbers quickly became sacrosanct, deeply tied to specific roles. A pivotal moment illustrating this was Hungary’s historic 6-3 victory over England at Wembley in 1953. The Hungarian team’s numbering caused consternation because it deviated from English conventions. Mihaly Lantos, a centre-back, wore No 4. Midfield creator Jozsef Bozsik wore No 5. Most strikingly, Nandor Hidegkuti, assigned No 9, did not play as a traditional centre-forward but operated deeper, orchestrating play from midfield.
This tactical disruption posed a significant dilemma for England’s centre-half, Harry Johnston (No 5). Convention dictated he should mark the opposing No 9. However, if he followed this instruction, he would leave a gaping hole in the defence. If he failed to mark Hidegkuti, the Hungarian playmaker was free to exploit England’s disarray. The defeat prompted introspection within English football.
Tactical Shifts and the Evolving Roles of Numbers
The introspection following the Hungary match, and the subsequent tactical evolution, led to leading English teams adopting a back four within a decade. This often involved withdrawing the left-half (No 6) into the defensive line. Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup-winning side exemplified the value of a packed midfield, with wingers dropping back to form a 4-4-2 formation. The typical lineup read: 1 (goalkeeper); 2 (right-back), 5 (centre-back), 6 (left-back), 3 (left-back); 7 (right-winger), 4 (central midfielder), 8 (central midfielder), 11 (left-winger); 9 (centre-forward), 10 (inside-forward).
Within this 4-4-2 structure, the No 4 usually represented the more defensively oriented of the two central midfielders. The No 10, meanwhile, retained elements of the inside-left role, typically being the smaller, more creative forward partner to a big, physical No 9.
Other nations, however, charted different tactical courses, influencing their numbering conventions. In Argentina, the W-M formation did not see the same abrupt adoption as in England. Instead, at River Plate in the late 1930s, the right-half Norberto Yácono, nicknamed “the Stamp” for his tenacious marking, would be tasked with picking up the opposition’s primary creator.
As this principle gained traction, the No 4 evolved into a de facto third defender, operating on the right flank. This tradition persists, with No 4 remaining the standard number for an Argentinian right-back, a role exemplified by Javier Zanetti, whose legacy at Inter Milan led to his shirt number being retired.
When Argentina transitioned to a back four following their heavy defeat to Czechoslovakia in the 1958 World Cup, the left-half also dropped into the defensive line. This resulted in a standard Argentinian back four comprising numbers 4, 2, 6, and 3. The No 5 retained its role as the midfield anchor, the ‘caudillo’, a position as venerated as the No 10, embodied by players like Antonio Rattín, Américo Gallego, and Javier Mascherano.
The journey of shirt numbers from rigid positional markers to symbols of tactical evolution and individual legacy is a testament to the dynamic nature of football. Each number carries a history, a set of expectations, and a narrative that continues to unfold with every match played.
The Guardian’s original reporting provides further insight into this fascinating aspect of football history.
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