The FA has revealed a new version of its iconic ‘Three Lions’ Crest – the visual identity of The FA and England teams. The new design takes its inspiration from the 1948-49 Crest.
The iconic ‘Three Lions’ Crest has been refreshed to give greater visual standout in today’s digital environment.
It draws directly from the significant heritage the Crest embodies – namely the College of Arms version commissioned by The FA in 1948. It is the first time in seven years The FA has made changes to its Crest.
It includes redrawn Three Lions, more authentic-looking Tudor roses and a new colourway for the England Crest – lighter blue – to differentiate it from the previous version and enhance its on-shirt presence.
The England Senior Team will wear the Crest for the first time on 28 March in the match against Slovakia at Wembley Stadium.
Extensive research was conducted by The FA with different groups before the design changes were undertaken in-house. The aim was to establish what ‘The FA’ and ‘England’ represent in people’s lives, and to gain a greater insight into the sense of national identity the ‘Three Lions’ can deliver.
The FA’s Group Commercial Director, Jonathan Hill, commented: “We have taken great care in updating The FA’s ‘Three Lions’ Crest.
"The new designs have been modernised for today’s digital world, whilst also ensuring that they reflect the rich heritage and traditions of the Crest - particularly the 1948-49 version.”
The single-lion emblem was first adopted by Henry II when he became King of England in 1154. It was added to by Richard I (The Lion-heart) who added a second, and then third lion by the end of his reign in 1199.
However it was not until 1872, nine years after The FA was established, that the Crest featured in an England game, adorning the players’ shirts in the world’s first international match, between England and Scotland in Glasgow.
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