Leeds United crest backlash: MP urges club bosses to go back to drawing board

An MP who supports Leeds United has urged club bosses to go back to the drawing board over plans to implement a controversial new badge.
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United were hit by a furious backlash from fans after unveiling the cartoon-style crest and more than 70,000 people have signed an online petition calling for it to be scrapped.

Now East Leeds MP Richard Burgon has written to owner Andrea Radrizzani, as a fan and on behalf of his constituents, and joined the chorus urging the club to reconsider the “unsuitable” choice of new badge.

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He said: “To be frank, the idea of it being used in connection with next year’s celebrations of the centenary of the founding of our club from the ashes of Leeds City fills them - and me - with horror.”

Mr Burgon, who has been a Whites fan since he was 10-years-old, praised United’s owner for his vision for the club and work since taking over as boss, but added: “I’m sure you’ll agree with me that what makes Leeds United special is the fans, their passion and their ferocious loyalty through all of our ups and downs.

“I hope therefore that you will listen to them and drop the idea of this new badge.”

He also said his preferred choice would be “getting back to the Yorkshire Rose badge”, worn by Leeds players when they were promoted back to the old First Division.

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The club said that more than 10,000 people were consulted over the crest, and six months of research was conducted.

But speaking to the YEP last night, Leeds managing director Angus Kinnear said it had become apparent that the consultation conducted by the club during the design process “wasn’t extensive enough”.

He said the Whites would carry out further consultations about the crest.

In his letter, Mr Burgon said: “When we won our trophies under Don Revie we had a series of good badge[s] on our team shirts.

“When we won our trophies under Howard Wilkinson we had a good badge on our team shirts.

“When we are finally back where we belong in the Premier League, we need a good badge too.”