From onset armbands were used as symbols to mourn departed loved ones.
This is very conspicuous in 1861 when Queen Victoria’s husband kicked the bucket.
The Royal servants wore the black armband for eight years, in memory of their deceased boss.
Eleven years after, 1861,the armband was introduced in football.
This was in a game pitting England against Scotland.
Robert Gardner captained Scotland while cuttbard Ottoway captained England.
The piece of material ‘armband’, which is still alive in football games today, is most often handed to players with distinct characters in a team.
They may be given to players with managerial skills or experienced.Such a player has the uphill task to lead his team mates on the pitch.
Lately in the soccer world, the armband has created a lot of palaver especially in African National teams.
This is because such players with the armband are often regarded superior to others in most teams, and can influence in decision makings.
Armbands are today used in diverge sports disciplines like Rugby, cricket and recently “Tour de France’.
Ivorian all time excellent striker, Didier Drogba is counted among best armband successful users on the continent.
Other brilliant captains in the football history include; john Terry, Bobby Moore and Tony Adams,Vincent Company,Christine Mani,Janine Van Wyk.
Nkenyi Romeo
