Everton promise to redesign 'awful' crest after protests
Fans to get final say on new logo next year, but it's too late to change badge for new season
EVERTON, still without a manager after the departure of David Moyes to Manchester United, have been forced into an embarrassing climbdown over the design of the new club crest, which prompted protests from more than 23,000 fans.
A simplified badge design was officially unveiled last weekend but did not go down well with supporters, who flocked to sign an online petition condemning it. Now the Merseyside club has responded with what The Guardian calls a "grovelling apology" and a promise to redesign the badge next summer.
The new-look logo dispensed with the club's Latin motto "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" (nothing but the best is good enough) and two laurel wreaths, and was almost universally panned.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The petition called the badge "awful" while commenters who added their names to the campaign dubbed it "amateurish", "poorly designed" and "ridiculous".
Now Everton have reacted to the criticism by promising to make amends next summer. In a statement on its official website the club said it was "sorry" and added: "We regret we didn't ask every Evertonian about something that matters so much to every one of you."
The club has promised to look at the design of the crest again at the end of next season and pledged that "Evertonians will make the final decision" on a new badge. The process will be overseen by a panel of Everton fans who will "develop ideas and put forward suggestions" to be voted on.
However, nothing can be done about the coming season. Merchandise featuring the new-look logo is already on sale and it is too late for Nike, who provide the Everton kit, to change the design for next season's shirts.
After the furore over the new badge, club officials will be holding their breath as they await reaction to the new home shirts for 2013-14, which will not be unveiled until later this summer.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Inside Trump's billionaire Cabinet
THE EXPLAINER Is the government ready for a Trump administration stacked with some of the wealthiest people in the world?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is China targeting Nvidia?
Today's Big Question A new front in the 'chip war' with the US
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published