American Addick buying my first kit. Iv'e heard that getting a squad members name and number or your name on the back of your shirt might be looked at as weird, just looking for some opinions on what would be the best way to go. I'd rather not look like an Ignorant American when I finally get over there for a match.
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If you want to be a proper lad, or are planning on hanging out with a bunch of pre-existing lads, then it is best to ask your lad contact first. He will know the rules of your specific group. If you show up wearing something unacceptable to the groups rules, you'll earn yourself a witty nickname that won't ever leave you: Maybe "Shirty", or "Name-shirt." If you can't contact the lad, then arrive at the game with a jacket over your shirt (Stone Island recommended), which you can remove or leave on as you size up the situation.
Or are you planning on hanging out with geezers? These are lads in their mature form: Eventually, they have grown up and become tired of the uniformed lifestyle. And since they've had kids they've had to swap their Levis for Matalan and loose-fitting clothes from the Next sale. You are more likely to get away with a printed shirt, but if you're still worried, you can't go wrong with the above advice.
If you're attending the match with a family, that makes you a 'scarfer', which basically means that you can get the name printed on your shirt without too much worry, but it's all about accessorising. You could carry off the printed shirt name with a wrap-around CAFC flag, a bobble hat and some fetching red CAFC gloves. But most definitely don't forget the scarf - with frilly white bits on the end and both CAFC and away team printed on it.
The only thing you have to consider here is names like Jackson and Solly may be too obvious. It's more acceptable if you have a skilled if underrated player - but be aware that in the current championship climate, players often come and go, and once the player on your shirt transfers out - you're going to look like a right numpty. Also avoid players who do stepovers, as other fans will stop you, asking: "why are you wearing the shirt of that no-end-product showpony."
Or are you going with a super-scarfer? These are people who like to strike up conversations with strangers in pubs because they want someone else to hear their theory on why we shouldn't have let Alan Curbishley go. In this case, lose the accessories mentioned above - too many items makes it difficult to squeeze through busy pubs looking for unsuspecting victims. You'll also lose the choice of what name you'll have printed on your shirt, as super-scarfers generally only wear vintage kits from pre-premiership days. For extra points, find yourself a shirt with a Charlton legend on the back: Leaburn, Rufus or Robinson. Note that none of these players did stepovers.
Hope this helps.
P.S. Lots of people are lolling Chunes' answer, I think thats because hes' got it so right it has become like a good piece of observational comedy. Nail on head stuff.
I won't tell you his name because it will only cause some people on here to "go into one" (especially those that like to attend mass) but, suffice to say, before I'd even got to the ground I found myself arrested for impersonating a footballer.
One piece of advice I've heard mentioned that makes sense to me is no names of anyone younger than you.
As mentioned above, pretty much all replica shirts have names on the back in the States. Not being too familiar with US "soccer" at the time, I decided to just pick any random name. So I came out the store with "Fagundez". Did a bit of research on who he was when I came home...Yep, he had just turned 16 years old.
Always do your research.
Beast.
The only player i ever got named on my shirt was Powell on my one and only England shirt when i was a kid.