Replica shirts are more than just a piece of clothing, they give the fans a sense of identity, that they belong with the rest of the fans.  It’s virtually like waving a flag that gets you close to fellow fans, irrespective of the place. They will immediately see that you are one of them; no words need to be spoken. Whether you are at the stadium during a match or simply talking football with a group of people, replica football shirts make you someone who belongs to that community.