Why are Englands first choice colours white and blue?
” asks Paul Kay. “Surely white shirts and red shorts would be more representative of the nation’s flag? Which other countries play in colours not representative of their nation’s flag?” We’ve had a stab at your first question in a previous Knowledge, Paul. The reason we gave for England’s blue shorts was that, in the distant past, shorts only came in three colours: black, white, and navy blue. Still, we’re not sure: it could also be to do with blue being an FA colour too. Sadly FA historian, David Barber, is away at the moment so we can’t confirm our hunch. We can be more definite with your second question, Paul. Wherever you look – Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, even Bangladesh – there’ll be a country wearing colours not entirely representative of their flags. Why they do so is another story. We know that Italy wear blue as it’s the colour of the House of Savoia, who ruled from 1861 to 1946. A royal connection, as Gerard Sugrue points out, also explains why the Nether
