Ex-Premier League star praises colour-blind rule move after 'really struggling'

Former Premier League player Matt Holland has welcomed the decision to allow EFL clubs to change their kits in order to help colour-blind people.

Holland, who played for the likes of Ipswich and Charlton during his career, is one of the approximate three million people in the UK who are colour-blind. The new changes, which come into force next season, will allow clubs to consult each other and if necessary wear an away shirt to reduce the chances of a kit clash.

A statement released by the EFL earlier this month said: "A home club will now be able to wear its 'away' or third kit where a clash may occur that would make it difficult for people who are colour blind to differentiate between the kits worn by both teams.

"The amendment also allows clubs to further 'mix and match' elements of their registered kits in order to avoid kit clashes. The EFL will also play a more active role in helping clubs identify where a potential 'colour blind kit clash' may occur to give them adequate notice so that all necessary arrangements can be made in advance."

One particular clash of colours that is regularly mentioned by sufferers is red and green. Holland, 48, admits this manifested itself on his very first game for Charlton back in 2003.

He told Mirror Football : "My very first game for Charlton was against Plymouth. They were in dark green, we were in red. We didn't have alternate kits as it was a pre-season friendly and I literally couldn't tell the difference between the two kits - which was a problem!

"In training, bibs-wise one of my coaches used to be careful on what colours he gave me because he knew I struggled with it.

"People don't realise how big a problem it is. It affects one in every 12 men so that's basically one player in every football team. So there's potentially two players on a pitch that are colour-blind. Plus the thousands that are watching, either in the stadium or on TV, that are struggling.

"I've watched games on TV where I've really struggled. It's affected my enjoyment of the game because I can't concentrate on who's got the ball and who's doing what. There should be a contrast between the two kits, simple as that, so I absolutely welcome it."

The EFL's move has also been welcomed by the non-profit organisation Colour Blind Awareness, which cited both legs of the League One playoff semi-final between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday as the most-recent problematic clash for colour-blind people.

Kathryn Albany-Ward, CEO of Colour Blind Awareness, said: "We know that statistically at least one player in every male squad is colour-blind and these regulation changes will make some ties easier for these players too, thereby improving overall performance of the teams." She added the decision was "fantastic news" and "a huge step forward" and urged other leagues and governing bodies to follow the EFL's lead.