with the programs. Rugby football is not a game for such fripperies as numbering
and programs; it is not a game to be watched by any but those who have played it
and understand it."

In 1933 soccer players were numbered at the FA Cup Final for the first time. Everton,
who won, played Manchester City. Everton were numbered 1-11, Manchester City 12-
22. Celtic still refuse to wear numbers on their backs.

Sometimes teams have worn letters - to confuse pirate program sellers. The All
Blacks did that in 1921.

Confusing pirate program sellers was not the only reason.
There was also the belief that a single letter was less confusing than two numbers. The
famous English clubs, Bristol and Leicester Tigers, used letters, from A to O, until the
advent of professionalism and TV exposure. Bristol had 'A' at fullback, Leicester 'O' at
fullback. When they played it looked as if a whole lot of scrabble tiles had been flung
onto the field. In 1999 they changed from letters to numbers.

Some prefer not to use numbers in the pious belief that the game is a team game and
no individual is so important that attention should be drawn to him. Schools especially
like this as it suggests that rugby is valued as a part of education with value in teamwork