I really want to dismiss it as the latest in football's superfluous kit additions - and the fact that the Citeh players seem to have the club crest in exactly the right place (coming soon to a Megastore in East Manchester) - makes it is difficult to think otherwise. However, along with cycling shorts under the shorts and tight vests under the shirt, there might be some science behind it.
A friend of mine coaches the junior arm of a local athletics club and last winter I went along to a session to observe. The majority of the kids were wearing a
BUFF around their necks. When I commented on what I took as a fashion accessory, my mate said that sports science has shown that a cold neck restricts that amount of air that an athlete can take take in.
Make of that what you will!
