Personalised Kids’ Football Kit: How Junior Clubs Get It Right First Time
Somebody has to collect sizes from 15 sets of parents. If you’re reading this, it’s probably you.
Most personalised kids’ football kit problems have nothing to do with the design. They come from sizes guessed from ages, squads that grow by November, and money chased through the team WhatsApp group. We kit out junior clubs every season, and the ones that get it right first time all follow the same three rules.
Three rules we’d give every junior club
1. Size by chest, not age. Age is the worst way to size a child. Kids the same age can be different sizes, and every brand cuts differently. A tape measure takes two minutes and saves weeks of swaps.
2. Order the squad plus two. Junior squads almost always grow during the season. Two spare shirts in common sizes means a new player in November gets kit that weekend, not in six weeks.
3. Keep the club out of the cash. Collecting money from every family is the job nobody wants. Let parents order and pay online, and the club never has to chase a payment.
Get those three right and everything else is easy.
| We have just received our personalised kits for my Under 10’s football team. We ordered a home & away kit and could amend anything we wanted. They look absolutely fantastic and the kids love them just as much as I do. A special thanks to Teddy who helped me with my order with great communication. Will highly be recommending and using every year!! – Joel |
What goes into personalised kids’ football kit?
A personalised kids’ football kit has three parts: shirt, shorts and socks. Most clubs add a goalkeeper kit, then training wear and an away kit as the club grows.
| Item | Price (excl. VAT) | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Football shirt, short sleeve (sublimated) | £19.50 | £23.40 |
| Football shirt, long sleeve (sublimated) | £21.50 | £25.80 |
| Football shorts (sublimated) | £13.25 | £15.90 |
| Football shorts (cut and sew) | £9.50 | £11.40 |
| Football socks (plain) | £7.00 | £8.40 |
| Football socks (bespoke) | £9.50 | £11.40 |
| Goalkeeper top, long sleeve (sublimated) | £25.00 | £30.00 |
| Goalkeeper padded shorts | £15.75 | £18.90 |
Prices per item. Your design, badge, names, numbers and sponsor logos are included.
Every shirt is fully sublimated, so the design is part of the fabric rather than printed on top. Personalised kids’ football kit gets washed after every muddy Sunday, so that matters: no cracking, no peeling, and colours that stay bright all season.
How many kits does a junior team need?
Match formats in youth football in England grow as players get older:
| Age group | Match format | Ordering tip |
| Under 7 to Under 8 | 5v5 | Small squads. Spares matter most here, as new joiners are common. |
| Under 9 to Under 10 | 7v7 | Squads grow. Plan for rolling subs and extra players mid-season. |
| Under 11 to Under 12 | 9v9 | Bigger pitches and squads. Two goalkeeper tops are worth having. |
| Under 13 and above | 11v11 | Full squads. Consider a second set for away games or colour clashes. |
Formats can vary by league, so check with yours. Whatever the age group, our rule stands: order every player a kit, plus two spares.
Getting junior sizes right
Sizing is where junior orders go wrong.
- Measure, don’t guess. Ask parents to measure their child’s chest and check it against our size guide.
- Size up once for younger players. A little room to grow means the kit lasts the full season, and often the next one.
- Never more than one size up. Baggy shirts and long shorts get in the way when kids are running and tackling.
- Collect sizes in one place. A shared form or spreadsheet beats chasing messages in the team group.
- Mix sizes freely. Kit comes in junior and adult sizes, so a squad that spans growth spurts still matches.
| This is the second football kit we’ve had from the Decathlon Club and I can honestly say that they are impeccable. Summer, who handled my order was incredible from start to finish and made the ordering process so simple. I can’t recommend Decathlon Club and Summer enough. Keep up the great work Summer and I’ll hopefully be dealing with you next year. – Simon |
Personalising kids’ football kit
Personalisation is what turns a set of shirts into a team. With Decathlon Club, your club badge, player names, numbers and sponsor logos are all included in the price, so there are no extras to add up.
- Names on the back. Young players are proud to see their own name, and coaches and parents learn the squad faster.
- One number per player, all season. It makes replacing a lost shirt simple.
- Give sponsors pride of place. A local business on the front can help keep subs down for families. Agree placement before you design.
- One design from Under 7s to Under 16s. Every age group looks like part of the same club.
Start with our online kit designer, or let our in-house design team create something for you at no extra cost. For more on names, numbers and badges, see our ultimate guide to personalised football kits.
What does personalised junior football kit cost?
Here’s what a full personalised kids’ football kit costs per player, using sublimated shirts and shorts with plain socks:
| Squad example | What’s included | Excl. VAT | Incl. VAT |
| One player kit | Shirt, shorts, socks | £39.75 | £47.70 |
| One goalkeeper kit | GK top, padded shorts, socks | £47.75 | £57.30 |
| 7v7 squad of 10 | 9 outfield kits + 1 goalkeeper kit | £405.50 | £486.60 |
| 11v11 squad of 12 | 11 outfield kits + 1 goalkeeper kit | £485.00 | £582.00 |
Make it easy for parents
- An online club shop. Parents choose sizes and pay online, and kit is delivered without the club handling cash. Find out more about club shops – availability depends on our qualification criteria.
- Easy reorders. When a new player joins mid-season, reorder a matching kit through the Client Portal. After your first order, there’s no minimum.
How to order personalised kids’ football kit
- Design your kit. Use the online kit designer or work with our design team, free of charge.
- Collect sizes and names. Measure chests, record each player’s name and number, and add two spares.
- Place your order. Your first order has a low minimum of 5 items, so even the smallest squad can order.
- Kick off. Your kit is delivered in under 6 weeks. Read our guide on how to order custom sports kit for the full process.
| Kit out your junior team Shirts from £19.50 with your badge, names, numbers and sponsors included. Free design, junior to adult sizes, and no minimum after your first order. Design your junior kit Not the one who orders? Send this guide to your club secretary, or ask them about setting up a club shop. |
FAQs
Can you get personalised football kits for kids?
Yes. Every junior kit can include the club badge, player names, numbers and sponsor logos at no extra cost, in junior sizes and fits.
How much does personalised kids’ football kit cost?
With Decathlon Club, a sublimated shirt, sublimated shorts and plain socks cost £39.75 per player excluding VAT (£47.70 including VAT), with your badge, names, numbers and sponsors included. Shirts start at £19.50.
What is the minimum order for junior football kit?
Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that there’s no minimum, so you can add new players whenever they join.
What size football kit should I order for my child?
Measure your child’s chest and check it against the junior size guide, rather than going by age. Go one size up if they’re growing quickly, but no more, as baggy kit gets in the way.
Can parents buy kit individually?
Yes, through a club shop. The club sets one up and parents order and pay for their child’s kit directly, so the club doesn’t collect money. Club shops available subject to qualification criteria.