New Kit - Bullshit

[martin_p]

I'm not defending anything, in fact I don't really see what there is to defend. Do you think that whoever commissioned Puma to design the officials kits for the upcoming season, be that the PGMOL, or the Premier League, just asked Puma to knock up a few colour variations in a style of their choice? Or do you think they went to them with a brief?

I'm 100% certain that it's the latter, and I'm pretty confident the brief would have included something along the lines of a producing a design that 'reflects the professionalism, confidence and authority of modern match officials'. Now, you may think that's a stupid brief, and the guys at Puma may have agreed. But I can guarantee that Puma took that brief and researched colour and pattern psychology to design a product that they feel met their client's requirements. I think it's fairly obvious that certain colours and patterns effect human emotion and behaviour and I'm really surprised that nobody on here has commented to agree with this.

Whether the design of these kits actually results in any material impact on the performance of the officials is a different question entirely, but it's pretty clear that elite sport is a game of marginal gains.

As for Chat GPT, I'm confident that the MD of Puma UK and Ireland can write a two sentence press release without resorting to the use of Chat GPT. I also think that a hugely successful sportswear designer and manufacturer knows a little more than a few cynics on a football forum.

So why the bright yellow? I’m no expert but, while I can buy black and maybe purple as colours of ‘professionalism and authority’ yellow screams playful or silly.

[Rileybobs]

So why the bright yellow? I’m no expert but, while I can buy black and maybe purple as colours of ‘professionalism and authority’ yellow screams playful or silly.

I'd say it's a pastel yellow rather than a bright yellow, in fact all three colours are pastel shades which I'm sure is also intentional as pastel colours are more calming. As for the use of yellow, I'm not sure, that would be a question for the MD of Puma. Thanks for being the first person to actually acknowledge and agree that colours do affect human emotion and behaviour though.

[BigGaz]

It's a lovely sunny day lads, go outside.

[Leisure]

colours do affect human emotion and behaviour though.

Any examples of that happening during a football match?

[Rileybobs]

It's a lovely sunny day lads, go outside.

He says whilst reading this thread and posting a reply on it.

Is this not a forum for discussion? That's all that's going on here, but judging by the state and general tone of some of the responses I would say the standards on here have gone downhill.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Any examples of that happening during a football match?

I have seen someone get volleyed across the bus station for wearing blue and white

[Rileybobs]

Any examples of that happening during a football match?

Judging by the number of people I see on here demanding that BFC wear hooped socks, then yes.

[billyhamilton82]

So why the bright yellow? I’m no expert but, while I can buy black and maybe purple as colours of ‘professionalism and authority’ yellow screams playful or silly.

Just returned from a site excavation assessment and then driven back up the motorway, all I have seen is professionals and their bosses wearing bright yellow.

Strange how the mind works.

[RMutt]

Any examples of that happening during a football match?

I’ve seen an experiment where penalty takers wore different colours. Takers wearing red came out on top. I can’t remember whether it was the ‘keeper being affected or the takers feeling more confident wearing that particular colour.
The psychological effects of colour are not in doubt and are used widely. Green being used as a calming influence in hospitals for example.

[Leon_C]

I actually think Rileybobs is spot on with a lot of what he’s said. Colour does influence human emotion and behaviour, that’s well-documented in psychology, branding, even kit/uniform design. But trying to discuss that here is always going to be a bit of a stretch.

Football forums naturally lean towards black-and-white thinking - results, facts, outcomes. A lot of fans operate in a left-brain mode: logical, literal, and often sceptical of anything that sounds abstract or unquantifiable. So when someone suggests that pastel yellow might subtly affect perception or mood on the pitch, the instinct is to scoff, not engage.

Doesn’t mean the idea’s invalid. Just maybe not suited to this environment.

[JohnMac]

Which part is bullshit? That the designers use colour psychology or that colours have an affect on human behaviour? Would you feel different if you sat in a room painted bright pink than in the same room painted black? Do people not dress in colours and styles that make them feel confident and comfortable, or in some cases powerful or authoritative?

You were on firm ground until you mentioned the Police.

Most of them look like Skateboarders with their oversized cargo pants, invariably 6" too long as well

You don't need science (if that is what it is) to apply psychology.

[dsr]

I’ve seen an experiment where penalty takers wore different colours. Takers wearing red came out on top. I can’t remember whether it was the ‘keeper being affected or the takers feeling more confident wearing that particular colour.
The psychological effects of colour are not in doubt and are used widely. Green being used as a calming influence in hospitals for example.

Why would you need an experiment for that? Vast amounts of real world data are available. Do the real world data give players in red a better success rate than any other colour?

[dsr]

I actually think Rileybobs is spot on with a lot of what he’s said. Colour does influence human emotion and behaviour, that’s well-documented in psychology, branding, even kit/uniform design. But trying to discuss that here is always going to be a bit of a stretch.

Football forums naturally lean towards black-and-white thinking - results, facts, outcomes. A lot of fans operate in a left-brain mode: logical, literal, and often sceptical of anything that sounds abstract or unquantifiable. So when someone suggests that pastel yellow might subtly affect perception or mood on the pitch, the instinct is to scoff, not engage.

Doesn’t mean the idea’s invalid. Just maybe not suited to this environment.

Were Norman Hunter and his band of thugs less likely to kick a man wearing yellow? Or were the subtle effects of colour, just too subtle to make a ha'porth of difference on a football field?

[mikeS]

Manchester United home shirt 2025-26 and it's description...
Costs - £120. (Per shirt)

DB3DD3E8-60AD-4780-96FD-B5A48A04401D.jpeg (234.89 KiB) Viewed 826 times

Description

Few sporting stages can match the drama Manchester United's iconic home ground has generated over the years. So this adidas authentic jersey pays tribute to the stadium in which it will be starring in 25/26 with a "Theatre of Dreams" sign-off and abstract Old Trafford-inspired graphics on the sleeves. Built for entertaining football, it also features a performance-focused build and a heat-applied club badge.

No mention anywhere of the great season 2024-25 was.

[RMutt]

Why would you need an experiment for that? Vast amounts of real world data are available. Do the real world data give players in red a better success rate than any other colour?

I would imagine real world data has all sorts of variables that need to be eliminated in order to just get to the specific effect of colour.
Liverpool might be a good example of a team in red with a better success rate than most but what about the influence of the manager or the quality of the players?

[dsr]

I would imagine real world data has all sorts of variables that need to be eliminated in order to just get to the specific effect of colour.
Liverpool might be a good example of a team in red with a better success rate than most but what about the influence of the manager or the quality of the players?

You eliminate the variables best by using vast amounts of data. At a rough estimate, about 600-800 penalties have been missed in English football over the past 10 years. They're all on TV. It would be trivial (but time consuming) for an experimenter to watch every penalty and work out the figures. If quality of players worries you, then analyse it by division.

Influence of the manager? I don't think anyone has ever produced stats on how many penalties each manager has "scored". I bet the Burnley managers of Peter Noble's time would have had good records at penalties.

[Bullabill]

It is bullshit. If these different colours have different effects on people, who is going to decide which colour should be worn for which match and what will influence their decision? I think the only criterion will be whether the colour clashes with either of the teams.

[groove]

It's the marketing guff that gets me with this type of stuff. All the "subtle shades that pay homage to our rich industrial heritage". Absolute nonsense, but whilst people are still gullible enough to fork out for a new replica shirt every summer, the ridiculous designs and corresponding marketing campaigns will continue unabated

[RMutt]

You eliminate the variables best by using vast amounts of data. At a rough estimate, about 600-800 penalties have been missed in English football over the past 10 years. They're all on TV. It would be trivial (but time consuming) for an experimenter to watch every penalty and work out the figures. If quality of players worries you, then analyse it by division.

Influence of the manager? I don't think anyone has ever produced stats on how many penalties each manager has "scored". I bet the Burnley managers of Peter Noble's time would have had good records at penalties.

Well, I suppose you could add to the variables, where and when the penalties were taken. Big ground, important match, last minute, in front of away or home supporters? Manager or coach looking at data from opposing team’s previous penalties?
Perhaps it was felt easier just run the experiment?

[Rowls]

Whatever you think of the wording, there will be some conceptual thinking behind the design of the kits. This is no doubt related to the psychology behind the colours and patterns and how the human brain reacts to them. Be it making the officials feel more confident in themselves, the public seeing them as more professional, or the players seeing them as more authoritative. No doubt there is some fluffy marketing speak to go with it, but there is a science behind it.

Poe's Law in action.

[quoonbeatz]

Not sure what the fuss is about. The shirts look pretty low grade, sub-standard, identikit template rubbish. Difficult to say they don’t accurately reflect the professionalism, confidence and authority of PL referees.

[dsr]

Well, I suppose you could add to the variables, where and when the penalties were taken. Big ground, important match, last minute, in front of away or home supporters? Manager or coach looking at data from opposing team’s previous penalties?
Perhaps it was felt easier just run the experiment?

If you're looking at 2,000 penalties taken by men wearing red, then these variables will average out.

We'll have to agree to differ on the validity of data from penalties taken under match conditions v. penalties taken under sterile experimental conditions.

Have you found the link to the trial? While I think it's more than likely worthless, I'd be interested to look into it further.

[RMutt]

If you're looking at 2,000 penalties taken by men wearing red, then these variables will average out.

We'll have to agree to differ on the validity of data from penalties taken under match conditions v. penalties taken under sterile experimental conditions.

Have you found the link to the trial? While I think it's more than likely worthless, I'd be interested to look into it further.

I think the experiment I saw was part of a television documentary series about colour in general.
There seem to be quite a few studies about the impact of colour on sports performance.
This study appears to look at what you were suggesting as real world data.
https://rahill.webspace.durham.ac.uk/wp ... l_2008.pdf

[burnmark]

Nice take from Norwich on their home shirt reveal

https://www.footyheadlines.com/2025/07/ ... eting.html