Premier League 2017/18: Every Home Kit Ranked

17. West Brom

PL Feature Copy
Adidas/West Bromwich Albion FC

What seems like a relatively functional West Brom kit from the front hides a dark, navy blue secret on the obverse - the dreaded 'solid back'.

It really is the scourge of modern football. Apparently it's down to a rule from the Premier League designed to increase number visibility, as if anyone gives two tosses. How many striped shirts have been completely ruined by this completely unnecessary bit of legislature? (See so far: Brighton.)

It doesn't seem to apply universally either. Palace get away with stripes, presumably because of contrasting yellow lettering, and so too will Newcastle with their red numerals. Can anyone remember a West Brom game let down in the past 40 years by illegible squad numbers?

It's become far too easy to assume that any Chinese company which emblazons a Premier League shirt must be a gambling operation, but the Baggie's new principal partners Palm are in fact "eco-town developers." Who would have bet on that?

Betting Firm Count: 2

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.