Summary
FC Weirdo
New designs

Letters
Champ
Time Out

Goal

Looking at the shirt numbers used by European football teams in the recent past, the best designs appear to be based on historical typefaces.
The shirt numbers Ajax used from 2004 to 2006 were based on Perpetua, a design by Eric Gill from 1930. And the numbers used by the Italian national team from 2004 till 2006 were directly copied from the typeface Cochin, which was designed by the Frenchman George Peignot in 1913 and named after the engraver Nicholas Cochin (1715-1790). Last but not least, the numbers AS Roma used in 2006 are based on the typefaces cut by Francesco Griffo, who worked at the office of the famous Venetian printer Aldus Manutius in the beginning of the 16th century.

So, the question rose if there are more historic typefaces that can be used as a source of inspiration for designing shirt numbers. The result of this research is the design 'BLV Goal', which is based on the types cut by Joan Michael Fleischmann (1701-1768), who worked at the Dutch typefoundry Enschedé. The typefaces cut by Fleischman are very legible, also in small point sizes, thanks to the big counters and the individuality of all characters. BLV Goal is a relatively narrow design in which the characteristics of Fleischmans work can be traced.

BLV Goal, outline numbers for sports shirts.