When Liverpool fans laugh at Chelsea for having no 'history', they're probably thinking of curious sights like Khalid Boulahrouz in a No 9 shirt, though they could just as easily point fingers at Arsenal for giving the No 10 shirt to William Gallas while Philippe Senderos wears Tony Adams' iconic No 6.
Not every club lets tradition have any influence on their shirt numbering, but thankfully for those of us who like a bit of nostalgia, some still do...
THE LIVERPOOL No 7
Ian Callaghan, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Peter Beardsley, Nigel Clough...Nigel Clough? It's fair to say that Liverpool have not always got it right when awarding the famous No 7 shirt to new players. They certainly got it absolutely spot-on with Dalglish in 1977 despite reservations from Reds fans that he could really fill the boots of the great Keegan, but Clough wilted under the pressure of wearing the shirt. As did Vladimir Smicer, who gladly handed it on to Harry Kewell on his arrival from Leeds. And didn't it go well swimmingly for Mr Sheree Murphy? Robbie Keane gets the shirt, but he has to look back to Steve McManaman for a player worthy of wearing it.
THE MANYOO No 7
When Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in 2003 he asked for the no 28 shirt he had worn at Sporting Lisbon. But Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to be a legend and gave him the shirt of a legend - vacated by David Beckham (who had taken the 23 at Real Madrid as there was no budging Raul). Ronaldo said: "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'No, you're going to have No. 7,' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour." Previous owners of the shirt had been George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Beckham. If Ronaldo goes, who on earth would dare follow that little list?
THE MANYOO No 10
When Ruud van Nistelrooy left ManYoo, Wayne Rooney waited just a year before snaffling the number, switching from the Number 8. He said: "When I was offered the chance to wear the number 10, I jumped at it. Some of the game's greatest players have become legends wearing number 10, none more so than Denis Law." As well as Law, Mark Hughes and Van Nistelrooy had also worn the United no 10 shirt, but Rooney was also clearly thinking of other great no 10s like Maradona, Pele, Baggio, Zidane and Ronaldinho who never wore the red of ManYoo, though the latter of course came close.
THE LIVERPOOL No 9
"The fact that Liverpool are giving me the number nine jersey just goes to show the confidence they have placed in me, when considering those who have worn that shirt before me," said a certain Fernando Torres, who certainly lived up to the hype of a shirt previously worn by Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler. Funnily enough, there was no mention of El-Hadji Diouf in that particular Torres press conference. The least said about his exploits in the No 9 shirt the better.
THE NEWCASTLE No 9
Obafemi Martins admitted he was "scared" of wearing the Newcastle No 9 shirt vacated by Alan Shearer when he first arrived at the Toon, and that was probably before he had even heard the names of Albert Stubbins, Jackie Milburn, Vic Keeble and Malcolm McDonald. Then there are the modern heroes like Les Ferdinand and Andy Cole, who did not do half-bad in that No 9 shirt. Shearer offered the shirt to Michael Owen when he first arrived on Tyneside and he sensibly turned it down, obviously fearing the burden of history. The jury is still out on Oba.
THE BRAZIL No 10
Ever since Pele wore the Brazilian No 10 shirt, it became possibly the most iconic in world football. These days it is worn by Ronaldinho (though Diego is currently keeping it warm) but in the interim, the likes of Zico, Rivaldo and Rivelino has all worn the famous shirt, synonymous with the playmaker role in a nation that certainly knows how to revere their playmakers. That England have most recently handed that particular shirt to Michael Owen probably tells you all you need to know about the difference between the two countries.
Sarah Winterburn
Your Comments
G_Wal
"Lawred2 - At least I had the stones to criticise the obvious failing in the article (Man Utd's number 10). If Newcastle's number 9 hadn't been included at the expense of Everton I wouldn't have been crying on about it like you (seems this is the most "infantile" aspect of the debate); lashing out at a club in the same bracket (I'll save you the trouble here - no doubt you consider Everton to be a much bigger club than Newcastle, eh??). And not providing a single point to back up your argument ("incoherent" covers this). Am I the embarrassment or am I embarrassed that the Newcastle number 9 shirt is in the article? It just isn't clear in your "incoherent" writing. I'm sure there's fans of every club in the country think their prestige shirt should be acknowledged, you mong."
alijay034
"Hmmm nice piece of Journalism, although the alternative spelling of Raul got me a little bit there....I was always under the impression that Arsenal tried to retire the No. 14 shirt. Not only that but try looking at clubs away form the north, try looking at Hoddles shirt for 'The Scum'. Or as mirhir says the great Sir Bobby Moore. Journalism should be a fair and balanced view or do they not teach that at Journalism school anymore."
midnightsurge
"You've missed the biggest shirt of all -- the Argentina number 10. They've regularly tried to retire it in homage to Maradona but FIFA inexplicably keep on turning them down."
Jugband
"Ezy Rider does the fact that Man U wore 1-11 against City st year count? Thought not."
chelseablue
"As a Chelsea fan, I think there will be a few of shirt numbers most fans won't want to see given out lightly, those being 8 and 25 and 26 (imo). Now that clubs have squad numbers, it should be easier to keep some special numbers special."
lawred2
"G-Wal - Typical Geordie embarrassment. Incoherent and infantile"
Ezy_Rider
"Bit off the point this, but since squad numbers came in, has there ever been a Prem game where one of the teams have been wearing just 1-11?"
arsenalfc4
"Seeing as you have no idea what you are talking about I should not grace you with a reaction but I feel the need to. Senderos was handed number 6 as his nickname is "Swiss Tony" (Tony refering to Tony Adams in case you aren't following). Also, what makes Gallas not worthy of the number 10?? The fact that he is a central defender makes him devoid of the "pleasure" of wearing the number 10? Having tradition is fine but, realistically, is it not old fashioned to reserve a number for the next whoever?
Keane is nowhere near the class of players like Daglish. Your article contradicts itself.
It seems you only know things about "big clubs" too, do some research babe."
G_Wal
"Lawred2 - I suggest you look at a list of players' wearing the number 9 shirt for Newcastle in the last 15 years and then compare it to those who have worn it for Everton. This has to be a contemporary issue as well otherwise it has no relevence, moron. Why not have a pop at the 'legendary' Man Utd number 10 like any sensible person would - yeah, Maradona, Pele, Zidane wore number 10 so you can see why it means so much to wear it for Man Utd. WTF??"
ajsr1982
"I agree with bun9. The Argentina No. 10 is a real burden, as the player wearing it is instantly dubbed 'The New Maradona'."
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