Are we going too far with the special jerseys? In the ever-expanding landscape of football shirts, one particular type is exploited more than others

The insatiable desire for profits has long since usurped the initial purpose of third kits (to provide an extra option in case of a colour clash, if you were wondering) and it has also led to the increasingly frequent launch of special edition kits, sometimes labelled as fourth shirts. These can arrive at any point of the season, are usually commemorative in nature and generally make just one appearance on the pitch. A centenary would be a classic example of something considered worthy of a limited edition release, marking a major milestone for the club. Fair enough, it's a big moment and a beautifully round number, so why not give the fans a wearable piece of club history while celebrating it at the same time?

Unfortunately for marketing departments, centenaries only come around once in a lifetime, so in order to peddle more merchandise, other noteworthy occasions must be dreamt up. There have been plenty of good looking special edition shirts, but aesthetic quality alone does not justify their existence. With their raison d'être in mind, here are some of the most dubious offerings we’ve seen.

Least Deserving Anniversary: Chivas Guadalajara 2022

For their centenary in 2005, Nike created a set of special shirts for Boca Juniors based on specific seasons throughout the club’s first 100 years in existence. There was a nice 80s style jersey similar to what Maradona wore in his pomp, as well as a much more retro callback complete with drawstring collar. One jersey in particular raised more than a few eyebrows however, thanks to its yellow sash. The sash is of course most strongly associated with their eternal rivals, River Plate, but Boca actually sported the look first in their early years before settling on their trademark chest band in 1913. This led to confusion amongst the uninitiated when Boca took to the pitch in what was interpreted by many as a copycat version of River’s shirt. Even those who knew their history were unhappy about their team wearing a shirt that resembled the strip of their enemy. The historical significance was there, but this particular aesthetic was definitely more symbolic of River Plate on first sight.