Manchester City will change the colour of their women's shorts from next season, the club and kit manufacturer Puma have confirmed.
Fourth-tier English side Aston Villa were the first club to adopt the abandonment of white shorts, and opted for navy, followed by Stoke City, who changed their shorts to red in early October.
Stoke head coach, Lou Roberts, said: "It’s real, the anxiety about your period possibly starting before or even during the game and embarrassment that's associated with that, it obviously affects your performance.
“Not feeling as though you completely focused on the game probably worried about being exposed in an environment that women should feel relaxed and enjoy.”
The message has spread to top teams in the Scottish Championship and Welsh Premier Women’s League who have made the change too. Livingston and Swansea women’s teams were the latest to replace their white shorts with black to prevent ‘worries, anxiety and uncomfortable feelings’ for their players whilst on their period.
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A recent joint statement released from Manchester City and kit manufacturer Puma, stated they are committed to the move away from white shorts from the 2023-24 season due to player feedback.
The statement said: "We have decided to implement changes to the products we offer to our female players. Starting from the 2023/24 season, we will not be providing white shorts to our female athletes.
"We will always provide an alternative for our home, away and third kits to solve the issue highlighted by women across all sports."
City are the most high-profile women's football side in England to change the colour of their shorts because of period concerns.
The club explained the decision was due to help create an environment that allows players to 'feel comfortable and perform at their highest level'.
Before the announcement, Taylor told the BBC: "We've always spoken about supporting the players as best we possibly can, about improving levels for the girls as much as we possibly can, not just at this club, across the board for women's football.
"I think it's something we need to look at for sure, just so that we are offering the top-level support that we need to, for the players."
Women in Sport research in 2021 found that 42% of teenage girls avoid exercise and PE at school when they have their period. This relates to a general health concern of girls not getting sufficient exercise due to pain, shame and/or anxiety surrounding their menstrual cycle.
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