Why Black Kit Is Banned in England’s Lower Tiers As Wrexham Launch Third Kit

• New League Two side Wrexham have launched their third kit for a return after 15 years
• The club's co-owner Rob McElhenney could not hide his excitement at their all-black kit
• He claimed it was a dream come true as National League rules did not permit the colour

AFC Wrexham are overjoyed at the launch of their third kit after National League rules prevented the use of their preferred colour for three years.

However, this changed after the team gained promotion to the fourth tier of English league football.

English Football Leagues have varying rules across each division, with the Premier League boasting the most organised set of rules as the highest league in the country.

Rules are reviewed constantly, while some retain long-standing rules that look impossible to change. The Premier League introduced five new rules ahead of the 2023/24 season, as Sports Brief reported.

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Football leagues in Europe have also been adopting FIFA's new offside rule as proposed by legendary Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, who is now FIFA's global director of football.

Wrexham launch all-black kit

Newly-promoted Wrexham launched their away and third kit ahead of their US pre-season tour and a new season in League Two, after gaining promotion for the first time in 15 years.

According to an official statement, the away kit is white shirts and green shorts, while the third kit is all-black with white stripes.

Wrexham's co-owner, actor Rob McElhenney, expressed satisfaction at the team finally wearing the colours after they were rejected three times in the lower league.

All-black kits banned in England

According to Goal, English football has a ban on all-black kits because the colour was initially retained for referees, but since the Premier League split from the EFL in 1993, clubs have been using black.

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The rule was abolished in both the EPL and the EFL, while the lower divisions in England retained the archaic rule. It is occasional even to see a referee in the top leagues wearing all-black.

Bale rejects Wrexham's offer

Sports Brief also reported on Gareth Bale rejecting Wrexham's offer to come out of retirement for 'one more magical season' after the Welsh club gained promotion to League Two.

The Welshman shockingly announced his retirement from professional football after guiding his country to their first FIFA World Cup in 64 years and does not seem keen to renege on that.