Newcastle’s New Club Badge: Craig Hope gives his judgment-a Mike Ashley-like betrayal or new start for a messy, ever-changing crest?

When the report came that the Newcastle Merkteam would talk to us through an imminent club announcement, it was suspected that a change of crest would be revealed.

My first feeling? It all felt a bit Mike Ashley. The former owner flirted with changing the stadium name and did not feel the love of the Toon Army. It strengthened their determination to march him out of the city.

There are few clubs with such a sentiment for their past, for the traditions that make Newcastle United unique. From the black -white stripes to the cathedral on the hill, the ‘brand’ is already recognizable all over the world.

The suspicion was good. The Newcastle brand team confirmed on Friday morning that the club comb would change.

But listening to the reasons why, it didn’t feel like a betrayal. The practical issues of producing such a complicated badge – seahorses, castle turret, lion, flag – mean that quality is often low and is always consistency variable. As the father of three boys with drawers full of Newcastle kits, I appreciate that.

The badge can look different from Jersey to Jersey and because of the complicated design it is no longer woven into the shirt, instead confirmed as a sticky. Washing too hot, mother, and it can come off.

The current Badge of Newcastle, which has only been in force since 1988

My first feeling? It all felt a bit Mike Ashley. The former owner flirted with changing the stadium name and did not feel the love of the Toon Army

There are few clubs with such a sentiment for their past, for the traditions that make Newcastle United unique

From the black -white stripes to the cathedral on the hill, the ‘brand’ of Newcastle is already recognizable all over the world

When Newcastle travel through the United Kingdom, they are now often met in hotels and opposition stadiums with several iterations of their comb – it just depends on which version has been copied from a Google search.

Also take a closer look and is the top not too busy? It’s a bit Game of Thrones. The seahorses have little relevance for modern times and the lion is so small that it does not really serve its goal as a lion.

It is a beautiful badge, full of symbolism, but irreplaceable? I don’t think. Remember that this version has existed since 1988 alone.

Before that there were three peaks in 12 years. Indeed, the current top was banned in the first season!

The process now follows a week of consultation with seasonal card holders and members. That is wise, given the risks to open it for everyone (Sunderland fans could vote mass For black cats to replace the seahorses …).

Then options are presented to supporters and there is a chance to vote on their favorite design. It will only be in use of the 2026-27 season.

Remember, this version has only been around since 1988 – here Peter Beardsley shows the badge that was in force from 1983 to 1988

Beardsley in 1983, the last year of the club comb with a magpie and castle, will continue

Malcolm MacDonald in 1974, with the top that was Newcastle from 1969 to 1976

And is the true brand of Newcastle United not based on literal terms on your heart, but the soul underneath it?

As the saying is, you can change your wife, your friends and your job, but you cannot change your football team.

A change in badge should not change much at all. Let’s wait for the re -designed options, but I like it, and I am sure my boys will be.

As long as Mama does not wash their sweaters in the turn with the Reds …