Fan power shows how Leeds are marching on together
WHEN Leeds United released images of their new crest at midday on Wednesday, it is fair to say football’s collective jaw fell to the floor.
Surely it was a wind-up. Contrary to widespread perception, clubs change their badges quite regularly.
This would have been Leeds’ 10th in just over half a century – and certainly the most bizarre.
Of the more gentle comments, it was suggested it looked like an advert for heartburn medicine, some said it reminded them of the cover of a video game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2, released 16 years ago.
A few, unfamiliar with what it is supposed to represent, something known as the Leeds Salute, said it looked like it was adopted from a white supremacist group.
Whatever responses it drew, the common denominator was ridicule from those who do not support the club and embarrassment from those who do.
According to the blurb that accompanied the digital unveiling, it had taken six months of research to come up with this rather than 10 minutes in the pub with a pint and a smartphone.
The club say they had consulted 10,000 people. Presumably, they only asked them did they have any objections to a new crest rather than tell them what it was going to look like.
Either that or they consulted 10,000 Manchester United fans.
There was certainly not 10,000 people queuing up to give the Leeds Salute the thumbs-up, rather 70,000 signing a petition to insist the comical crest was dumped.
Then a funny thing happened. The club listened to the fans. Sure, the noise was pretty deafening, but that still does not guarantee a club will listen.
In recent times, Leeds United have not had a reputation for listening, but by late evening of launch day, managing director Angus Kinnear had promised to “extend the consultation” with supporters. There will still be a new crest, but the ‘salute badge’ will go down as an aberration.
After it made the club a laughing stock, it might not seem like the toughest of U-turns, but it is still a victory for fans. They have pointed out the first serious misstep of owner Andrea Radrizzani’s tenure and the Italian and his executives listened.
In similar circumstances, Everton listened to their supporters in 2013 when a new badge design omitted the club motto Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Perhaps these have been token triumphs, almost literally, or perhaps they should be indicative of what can happen when fan reaction is mobilised.
Perhaps this will encourage supporters to try to make their voices heard on issues that, for some reason, do not stir emotions quite as much altering a club crest.
Issues such as the exorbitant prices of ever-changing replica kits,
Everton listened to fans when their motto was omitted
the rescheduling of matches with zero thought for travelling support, the spiralling cost of TV subscriptions.
Leeds fans did not have to take direct action, but you can be sure they would not have bought the jersey had that ridiculous crest been on its chest.
Fans can make themselves heard and the Football Supporters Federation, among others, deserve credit for lobbying the Premier League into a price cap on away tickets.
And one of the most striking recent examples of fan power was when 10,000 Liverpool fans walked out of Anfield after 77 minutes of a league game in protest at proposed ticket prices ahead of the opening of the new stand.
The club caved in and prices were frozen for two seasons.
In compelling the club to alter its favoured design for a new badge, Leeds followers have perhaps not struck the same sort of blow.
But they have reminded fans nationwide that they still have a voice, one that can be heard.
For that, they deserve a salute.