World Football: Ranking the 'Luckiest' Kits of 2010/11

Changing a club's kit can often breath new life into the club.

A new kit—or new design—can represent the dawning of a new age or the act of leaving the past in the past. Depending on club and manufacturer, the kit can be changed every season, every other season, or on special occasions (for example: anniversary).

Of course, some new designs or colours bring more luck than others, and this past season is no different. The majority of clubs all around the world introduced a new kit at the beginning of the season, and some seemed to work out better than others.

Here are some of 2010/11's luckiest kits:

*A kit: nothing to little to do with how well the team does or how "lucky'"they are.

5. Manchester City

Position on Table 2010/11: 3th

Position 2009/10: 5th

Trophies: FA Cup

Why?

The design of the kit was changed at the beginning of year, adding in the burgundy detailing, which were not present last season.

After the kit was changed, Manchester City won the FA Cup, their first trophy since 1977; that's almost 35 years. And that's not to mention their place on the table—third.

Many attribute City's place in the final standing to Arsenal's infamous collapse at the end of the season. Lucky Arsenal collapsed, or City may have been in fourth.

4. Borussia Dortmund

Position 2010/11: 1st

Position 2009/10: 5th

Trophies: Bundesliga Champions

Why?

The stripes in the kit shown in the picture were one of the many things added/changed in the 2010/11 season kit for the German outfit.

The Bundesliga title was Dortmund's first in nine years and only their seventh overall. At a high point during the season, Dortmund was leading by a 12-point margin but eventually took the title with a seven-point margin instead.

3. Udinese

Position 2010/11: 4th

Position 2009/10: 15th

Trophies: None

Why?

In 2009/10, Udinese's kit was made by Latto. Now one year later, the manufacturer is Legea, and the design quite different.

Udinese collected 22 more points this past season than the season prior as well as moving eleven places up the table. They will also take part in the qualifying for the Champions League 2011/12.

2. Lille

Position 2010/11: 1st

Position 2009/10: 4th

Trophies: Ligue 1 Champions, Coupe de France

Why?

Lille changed a number of things about their kit at the beginning of 2010/11, the biggest being their manufacturer—now Umbro.

This was the first season Lille won the League title since 1954, which is about 57 years. They also took home the Coupe de France for the first time 56 years—their last domestic title coming in 2000, a Ligue 2 title. 

1. Sportul Studențesc

(Never heard of them? They are a Bucharest-based club competing in the Romanian Liga I)

Position 2010/11: 18th (out of 18)

Position 2009/10: 2nd (in Liga II)

Trophies: None

Why?

Think it's an odd choice, as they finished last on the table?

In Romania, the bottom four teams are relegated and ending in 18th would warrant relegation, but not Sportul Studențesc.

They are perhaps the luckiest team in Europe, and they too introduced a fresh, new kit this season. Poli Timisoara and Gloria Bistrita were denied Liga I licenses at the end of the season due to heavy debts and were then relegated to Liga III.

Because of this, one of the relegated sides (Poli Timisoara, Gloria Bistrita, Universitatea Craiova, Victoria Branesti, Urinea Urziceni, and Sportul) would be spared, and Sportul luckily were the only ones with a Liga I license, and they therefore remain in the top division.