They are the four numbers the Newcastle Jets hope will reinforce to regional fans how important they take their responsibility as a club who represents all of northern New South Wales.
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When the Jets take to the field on Sunday (November 21) for their A-League season opener against Central Coast in Newcastle, the numbers 1884 will feature at the top of the back of their playing jerseys.
Executive chairman Shane Mattiske said the numbers were a way the club would have a constant reminder they represented an area beyond Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
"We take the responsibility of representing that broader football region very seriously because the Jets are a team that represents all of the north of NSW," Mattiske said.
We take the responsibility of representing that broader football region very seriously because the Jets are a team that represents all of the north of NSW.
- Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske
"That is very much something that is talked about in the changeroom and something the players are aware of whether they're local players like Angus Thurgate or whether they're players that have come in from overseas.
"We want them all to be aware of the importance of representing this region and how strong football is here and how proud the community is.
"We will be carrying that into each and every game this season and beyond."
We know of our connection to the broader football community and we want to make sure there's a constant reminder of that community in the kit that we wear.
- Shane Mattiske
Mattiske hoped it would also start the conversation in the stands at the Jets' home matches at McDonald Jones Stadium as fans would see 1884 on the back of the jersey in front of them.
"We know of our connection to the broader football community and we want to make sure there's a constant reminder of that community in the kit that we wear," he said.
1884 was the year the Northern NSW Football Federation was formed. The governing body covers seven member zones, including Football Mid North Coast which incorporates clubs from Forster, Taree, Port Macquarie and Kempsey.
The club's nod to its history coincides with the Jets' return to a predominantly gold playing strip which they wore from the inaugural A-League season in 2005/06 until the end of 2010/11.
They also wore gold in their memorable 2007/08 grand final triumph over the Central Coast.
"Going back to gold was an important way to connect to the heritage of the club," Mattiske said.
"There is a great history of the Jets themselves in terms of two grand finals; one with an unfortunate outcome, but one great grand final win early in the club's history. Gold is a great heritage colour and it's been well supported by the fans and it does give us our own identity in the region.
"Gold is something that is clearly recognisable as football and as the Jets."
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