A football crest is the visual identity used by a football club or national team, commonly referred to as a club crest, club badge or club logo. It appears on the chest of football shirts and forms a central element of a team’s matchday and training apparel.
In practical terms, the football crest identifies the team on the pitch and across official merchandise.
Most football crests are influenced by heraldic design traditions, often presented within shield shapes or circular formats. Common elements include animals, symbols linked to a club’s location, and text such as club names or mottos. Many designs incorporate references to local history or civic identity, such as industrial symbols or regional emblems, while stars may be added to denote major honours.
Football Crest History
Historically, clubs did not always use dedicated football crests. Early teams often adopted elements from city coats of arms. For example, Aston Villa used a lion symbol from its early years after its founding in 1874, with a documented crest appearing in 1906 featuring a shield and the motto “Prepared”. Over time, football crest designs became standardised as clubs developed distinct visual identities.
The term “crest” itself originates from heraldry, where it refers specifically to the element above a helmet in a coat of arms, although in football it is commonly used to describe the full badge. In some regions, including Scotland and England, football crest designs have been subject to oversight by heraldic authorities such as the Court of the Lord Lyon and the College of Arms.
Today, the football crest is used consistently across kits, training wear, and digital platforms, serving both identification and commercial purposes within modern football.
