Leeds United look like making a dramatic U-turn just hours after unveiling the new club badge.
Leeds unveiled their new badge at lunchtime today and it was met with a huge backlash from the fans.
The new design, a fan with his arm across his chest doing the Leeds salute, infuriated fans, in a change that would have been in place ahead of the clubs century celebrations next year.
The club claimed they had come up with the design after six-months of extensive research with 10,000 fans consulted.
6 months of research
10,000 people consulted
Ready for the next 100 yearsWatch video ➡️ https://t.co/rIIdL2Yz9F pic.twitter.com/pMrd3zTjCl
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 24, 2018
Within minutes, a petition was put in place to stop the new design and by 7.30pm this evening, over 57,000 fans had signed the petition.
Leeds managing director Angus Kinnear spoke of the new design when it was launched at lunchtime today. In a statement on the clubs official website , Kinnear said.
“Updating the crest is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we are proud to have a new crest that is authentic to Leeds United and honours the quality and loyalty of our fans. It is a symbol of ‘strength in unity` and a proud expression of the club`s identity and history.”
After the backlash today, Kinnear spoke on BBC Radio Leeds this evening.
“As we look at the feedback today I think that it is clear that the consultation process we embarked on that we were very confident had delivered a result wasn`t extensive enough.
“We need to reopen the consultation process very clearly and that is what I have come on here to say.
“The fans should really trust us because we have been so impressed by the level of support they have given us and the sense of unity we have between the board, the supporters and the players.
“There is now way Andrea (Radrizzani) or I are going to do anything to jeopardise that unity or what we want to achieve in the future.”
What did you make of the new club badge and have the club made the right decision to reopen consultation into a new badge?