In sport, aclub crest is the term used to describe alogo used by asports club. Such a logo is also often termed abadge. The logos of many clubs are inspired byheraldic design.
In Association football, club crests did not always hold their current importance. In the case ofAston Villa Football Club, while therampant lion was associated with the club from near its inception in 1874, the earliest known crest, theLion RampantTo dexter (facing left) on a shield with motto "Prepared", was first documented in the club program of 1st September 1906.[1]
The use of the termcrest to describe a logo derives from the misconception that a crest refers to any emblem that is heraldic.[2] In heraldry, acrest specifically refers to the element of acoat of arms which appears above a helmet.
Due to the heraldic design of many club logos, they are sometimes regulated in regions withheraldic authorities. In Scotland, some club logos have been deemed "an heraldic device" by theCourt of the Lord Lyon. Because heraldic devices must be authorised by this court, some clubs have been required to change their logos to designs which are not heraldic. Alternatively, a club may apply to have its logo authorised by the Court of the Lord Lyon.[3] Similarly, theCollege of Arms has regulated club logos, with at least 25 football clubs in England and Wales having designs authorised by the college. In those cases, theEnglish Football League was grantedheraldic badges, which were subsequently licensed to the appropriate clubs.[4]
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