Is It Time For A Rebrand?

So, before I started writing for Vital Newcastle, I wrote the odd piece for True Faith. There was a piece i wrote in December which didn’t make it onto the site, which, in light of The Chronicle posting their findings on the subject today, seems like the right time to publish and updated version here:

We have had our current club crest since 1988 which is FAR longer than we kept any of the previous ones. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very worthy of its longevity, and I do still love the badge, but with clubs modernising their crest lately, or even having a full rebrand, is it time we joined the club?

It could be a good way to visually represent the new era and, although Mike Ashley had nothing to do with the club crest, it would also be another way to put those dark days behind us. A fresh start with a new, positive outlook.

Obviously a large part of the fanbase will never have known the club with a different crest so might feel a bit precious about it – I’m a child of 1982 and, although this badge was introduced in ‘88 it’s the only one I remember seeing us play in. I wasted many a sheet of paper trying to sketch its complex lines and intricasies, forgetting all about my total lack of artistic skill, so I write this fully aware of the backlash I may get, especially as I’m undecided on the idea myself.

If we were to change, could we modernise the current crest a-la Tottenham, or go for a full change like Man City? I’ve seen suggestions online that we keep it similar to how it is now, but replace the seahorses with magpies, which I do like the idea of.

So that leads us to the obvious question – A new badge …. what would that look like? Would we draw on local landmarks like the Tyne Bridge? Use aspects from the current badge like the tower? Or just go with something completely fresh?

Or you know …. just leave it well alone? Let us know in the comments below.