Emblems - The Pride and Joy

The inhabitants of the new industrial towns of the early nineteenth century quickly developed a sense of local pride and whatever their beginnings, football grounds were now considered to be highly prestigious for the local communities. They were as much a part of a town as a public library, a town hall or a law court, and were certainly used by more people. The football ground was often the only place ‘outsiders’ could visit. To emphasise their ties with their local community, and to bask in civic pride, most of the early football clubs took as their crests the coats-of-arms of their cities.

The city insignia of the early days are now used as emblems by only a few clubs. This is partly because they became too widely used by other local organisations so losing their club uniqueness and partly because they have been modernised.

Blackpool (old)

Blackpool (new)

Nottingham Forest (old)

Nottingham Forest (new)

The new designs are easier to recognise at a glance, to identify at a distance, and cheaper to reproduce on players’ shirts, shorts and socks, badges, rosettes, scarves, ties, mugs, pens, pencils, notepaper, programmes, flags and anything else of a commercial nature.

In selecting images for the re-designed emblems, the clubs have often chosen either a bird or some kind of animal and have provided not only a striking visual symbol for their supporters but also, in many cases, a useful club nickname.

Some clubs have shown a preference for fierce strong animals or large birds of prey denoting power, the ability to attack, and the will to succeed.

Hull City

Millwall

Oldham Athletic

Crystal Palace

Others have opted for small birds and animals embracing ideas such as:

the team colours, a robin for red, or a magpie for black and white

the club’s geographical position, seagulls for a seaside town

a fox, stealth and cunning or a wise old owl or

a stag, strong but fleet of foot.

Sheffield Wednesday

Perhaps of more significance is the idea that these birds and animals can be agile and swift, as well as strong and powerful, symbolising the speed and athletic skill of the players.

Leicester City

Norwich City

Brighton and Hove Albion

Coventry City

Mansfield Town

Although birds and animals are the most popular choice of image, some weapons are favoured and these include swords, lances, cannons and axes. There are also knights, warriors, castles and towers. The aggressive nature of these warlike symbols stressing the ability to conquer is obvious. This however may not always be the intent as some of these symbols are associated with local industry, traditions and landmarks.

West Ham United

Sheffield United

Arsenal

Doncaster Rovers

Unlike the players’ kit, the colours of which may be worn by other teams, the emblem is unique and symbolises that club only. For example when teams play in a televised match their emblems are always shown alongside the name of the club and the names of the players. It is a source of great pride to supporters and evokes feelings of loyalty. It is usually protected by copyright and cannot be used without permission.

Nicknames - A team by any other name

Every club in the Football League has a nickname. The most popular are derived from the kit colour such as ‘The Reds’, ‘The Whites’ or ‘The Blues’.

Others are associated with the emblem for instance:

The Pilgrims’ - Plymouth Argyle

The Gunners’ - Arsenal

The Canaries’ - Norwich City

Most emblem-related nicknames are unique. Nicknames such as:

PiratesSeagulls

SeasidersCumbrians

Spireites and

Railwaymen

give some indication of the club’s location, local industry or feature of the town. Failure to identify clubs by their nicknames can make the sports pages of newspapers as well as football programmes on radio and television somewhat difficult to

follow