Power to the People/Fashion is Dumb

Leeds United are one of England's most historic clubs. Founded in 1919, The Whites are one of the founding members of the Premier League, though the club has toiled in the lower divisions since being relegated in 2004. They currently sit in 9th place among the 24 teams in the Championship, one rung below the top.

That's all preface to a lesson in customer service, played out in near real time this week.

The business side of Leeds United decided that it was time to replace the club's somewhat dated, and muchwhat dreadful badge, seen below:

Let the record show that Leeds has historically had really awful design sensibilities, when it comes to the club's badges. From a goofy-ass bubble-lettered 70s mess, to an out-of-nowhere peacock through the 80s and early 90s, Leeds' badges kept pace with the club's spotty performance.

1973-76

1976-77

1981-94

So Leeds weren't exactly operating from a position of strength when they commissioned a new badge. 

Leeds supporters are known for a salute, itself vaguely white supremacist, or at least authoritarian. But famous nonetheless as the Leeds Salute, an emphatic thumping of one's left breast with one's right fist, arm parallel to the ground. And the designers of the new crest wanted to honor that legacy.

Which gave us this:

Leeds supporters, to put it mildly, were nonplussed. As ESPN put it, "Leeds United have unveiled their new club crest and the general reaction, to put it in the kindest terms possible, has been of intense mockery." In that article, both fans and other teams mock the new crest, though old-school Columbus Crew fans didn't understand the fuss.

To the lasting credit of the bosses at Elland Road, the voice of the fan carried the day. From a statement the club issued just two days after the unveiling of the new badge, "Leeds United would like to thank our supporters for their feedback on the proposed new crest released yesterday. 

The volume and depth of opinions expressed reinforced the level of passion our fan base has for our club. While the current board of directors are custodians of Leeds United the fans will always be at the heart of everything we do, and you will be listened to. 

We conducted thorough research into the  desire for a change to the crest to symbolise a new era for the club. 

However, we also appreciate the need to extend  the consultation with supporters and we are committed to working with you to create an identity we can all be proud of. We will release further information on how supporters can get involved in the process next week. 

Marching On Together.”

I think that means they're gonna drop the new badge and find something better.

And now that we've shitcanned the G:TB Peeps Diorama Contest, I believe we need a new gimmick. Please offer your ideas in the comments.

Gheorghing On Together