The real reason West Ham copied Aston Villa’s kit colours

If you’re ever confused whether it’s Aston Villa or West Ham playing on the TV, you’re not alone. 

Both clubs wear virtually identical kit colours of claret and blue. 

Yet, a club’s colours should stand out, separating them from the rest to convey a sense of authority. Even in 1890, the Football League in England had ruled that no two member teams could register similar colours. This is the reason why it’s uncommon for two clubs, especially in the top flight, to wear the same colour shirts. 

So, how is it possible that West Ham have the same colours as Aston Villa? 

It must be a coincidence, right? If that’s what you’re thinking, you’d be correct. 

It wasn’t a coincidence.

Instead, it was more like a butterfly effect. You know… when one small occurrence changes the course of history. 

That’s exactly what happened when a small, inconspicuous bet meant West Ham copied Villa's kit colour.

But, first, let’s take you back to the start. We’re talking as far back as the 19th century when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing and football was a trivial pastime.

Aston Villa, founded in 1874, became the most influential football side in the country. It was Willian McGregor, Villa’s director, who founded the first Football League in 1888. 

They were the high-flyers and the pioneers on and off the pitch. 

Wearing claret and blue kits, Villa players had a unique style of play crafted by Scotsman, George Ramsey.

Ramsey's possession-based football was foreign to every other team, and it meant that Villa dominated the early years of modern football.

With so much success, it only made sense for the players to find time to rest.

On one night in 1899, four of Villa’s players attended a fayre near Villa Park. It was an area named 'Black Patch', known for its dense traveller population who hosted attractions and events.

As the Villa players walked through the fayre looking for some entertainment, they met William Dove, a London-born professional sprinter. Famous across the country, Dove would often challenge people to a race for a cash wager.

Recognising the league champions, he offered them a race.

Despite the odds stacked against them, all four accepted Dove’s challenge and accepted the race. As one of the players had the job of getting the first team’s kit washed, he placed the bag full of kits on the floor.

Inevitably, they lost the race but they didn’t have any money to settle the wager. The players looked at the bag of claret and blue Villa kits and offered Dove a full kit - shirt, shorts and socks - instead of money. 

Dove accepted.

The Villa players later told the club's directors that the kit was stolen.

Meanwhile, Dove returned to his home in the capital and handed the kit over to his son, Charlie Dove.

Charlie was playing right-half (right midfield) for Thames Ironworks, an amateur team in Essex. They didn’t have a set kit yet so when Charlie showed up with a league-winning claret and blue kit, their manager decided to adopt the same colours. 

A year later, in June 1900, Thames Ironworks F.C. resigned from the Southern League. Only a few weeks later, they reformed under the new name of West Ham United. 

The only thing they did keep the same was the claret and blue kit.