The Unique Number Inside England Players' Shirt Collar - What Are They?

If you've ever come across pictures of England football team's shirt collar, you'd see small numbers printed inside the collar. They are called "legacy numbers", which are given to each members of the England international team.

England players' unique legacy number

On 14 November 2019, England men's football team played their 1000th international game against Montenegro in the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier. To mark the occasion, the squad at the time wore shirts with individual legacy numbers.

After the match, the special numbers were then moved inside the collar in compliance with UEFA regulation.

These numbers were assigned to every players who have ever represented the nation at the highest level. This starts from 1872, England's first ever football match, with then goalkeeper Robert Barker as number 1.

England's manager Gareth Southgate is number 1071, captain Harry Kane is 1207 while current EURO 2020 star man Raheem Sterling is 1190.

The system is now at 1200s with the newest members such as Leeds' Kalvin Phillips (1250), Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, Everton's Dominic Calver-Lewin (1254) and the latest is Leicester's Harvey Barnes (1256).

What do you think of England's legacy numbers? Comment below.