Outcry erupts over Noel Gallagher’s Manchester City kit collaboration

Manchester City have unveiled their new home kit for the 2024-25 season, with a unique twist: a custom font designed by Noel Gallagher. The new jersey is already causing a stir among fans and critics alike due to its distinct design choices.

Manchester City are aiming to maintain their incredible dominance next season after a fourth straight Premier League triumph. The team secured the title with 91 points, narrowly edging out Arsenal by two points. The new kit is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to refresh its visual identity, reflecting its status as one of Europe’s top clubs.

In a bizarre collaboration, City supporter and ex-Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has given his new kit his new personal touch. Gallagher designed the font that will appear on the back of players’ shirts in Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches. This custom font, based on the musician’s handwriting, has a playful, almost cartoonish quality. It thus drew comparisons to the widely mocked Comic Sans font.

How have fans reacted to the kit?

Posting a screenshot of someone writing on paper, City hinted at Gallagher’s involvement on social media. However, many people are unhappy because the font looks so much like Microsoft’s original Comic Sans font.

The new font has polarized opinion among Citizens supporters and the wider football community. Some fans appreciate the unique and personal touch that Gallagher’s involvement brings, while others have been quick to ridicule the design. Comments on social media ranged from calling it a nostalgic throwback reminiscent of the 90s cartoon “Rugrats” to more direct criticism suggesting it looks like the work of a kid with a marker.

As well as the new font, the set features the ‘0161’ calling code for Manchester prominently displayed. This detail is a nod to the local area and aims to strengthen the club’s connection to its roots. The call code is integrated into the darker blue trim on the collar and sleeves of the blue shirt. It provides a subtle yet distinctive element to the overall design.

Will City use a new font in the Premier League?

Manchester City’s decision to partner with Gallagher is part of a wider trend of clubs experimenting with visual identities. Real Madrid recently collaborated with fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. Its brush-inspired font for player names and numbers pays homage to Japanese art. Such collaborations reflect a shift towards more artistic and unconventional designs meant to stand out in a crowded market.

It is worth noting that the new font will not be used in Premier League matches, where a standardized font is mandatory. Instead, fans will see Gallagher’s writing on shirts during European and domestic cup competitions. This selective use underlines the club’s strategy to differentiate its look at different stages, creating a unique identity for various tournaments.

PHOTOS: IMAGO