Newcastle Fans Express Concerns Over Club’s Survey on Potential Crest Change

Supporters of Newcastle United have voiced their concerns following the Premier League club’s decision to consult a segment of the fanbase about proposed changes to the club’s longstanding crest, which has been in use for 37 years.

The club stated that the current crest was “designed in a different era” and acknowledged that its elaborate design does not always “translate well in today’s digital landscape.”

Newcastle has encouraged season ticket holders and members to contribute their opinions through what they have described as an independently conducted survey. However, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust has raised doubts regarding the survey’s integrity.

“The survey is framed in a highly leading manner throughout, making it difficult to ascertain how any meaningful fan engagement or reliable conclusions can be reached,” the trust noted in a letter addressed to club CEO Darren Eales.

The trust also highlighted a clause within the Football Association’s regulations, stipulating that a club must demonstrate that a majority of its supporters support a significant alteration to its crest before implementing any changes.

“As the survey currently stands, it fails to provide insights on whether a majority of our supporters are amenable to the idea of making a substantial modification,” it added.

“To align with FA regulations, we strongly urge the club to develop a new survey, articulated in a neutral tone, and to provide an option for supporters to express a desire for no changes at all.”

The existing crest, in use since 1988, incorporates elements from the city’s Coat of Arms, including a castle, a demi-lion, two seahorses, and a pennon.

“As the crest is a recognised Heritage Asset and an essential symbol that unifies our city, we respectfully request that the consultation process strictly adheres to FA guidelines,” the trust concluded.