7 football clubs whose change of crests angered their fans

#3 Arsenal

Arsenal changed their crest for the first time since 1949 in 2002

Arsenal revealed their new crest at Highbury in February 2002 in an attempt to make merchandising easier. The Gunners had been unsuccessful in copyrighting their previous Victoria Concordia Crescit badge leading to considerable loss and engaged London agency 20/20 in order to revamp their corporate image. Dispensing with the traditional Islington coat of arms, latin quote and Gothic script, it was replaced by a simple shield.

Even though the cannon remained, it now faced east instead of west, a decision that created an outcry among Arsenal supporters. Even though club Chairman Peter Hill-Wood tried to spin it as a ‘traditional badge with a futuristic outlook’ statement, the fans weren’t so easily fooled.

Gunners all over London could hardly believe the club had gone through a nine-month-long process without consulting a single fan. They didn’t take too kindly to part with a crest they had used since 1949 just for the sake of their new soon-to-be Emirates Stadium and made their displeasure known loud and clear.