Newcastle United Supporters Trust Slams Crest Survey as 'Leading'

Newcastle United fans express concerns over the club's plans to change its iconic crest, citing a biased survey and questioning the need for a redesign.

Newcastle United fans have raised concerns after the Premier League club announced plans to change its iconic crest, which has been in use for 37 years. The club is consulting a section of the fanbase on the potential redesign.

The club cited the crest's intricate design as the reason for the proposed change, stating it was “created in a different era” and doesn't always “translate well in today's digital world.” This explanation, however, hasn't alleviated fans' worries about altering a beloved club symbol.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust has expressed skepticism over the club's survey on redesigning the crest, questioning its effectiveness in capturing fans' genuine views. According to the trust, “The survey is framed in an incredibly leading manner throughout and it is hard to see how any meaningful fan engagement or reliable conclusions can be drawn from it,” as stated in a letter to club CEO Darren Eales, who was invited season ticket holders and members to participate in what the club described as an independently run survey.

Season ticket holders and members will be invited to share their thoughts on our current club crest

Club are looking to use a “refine and revive” approach

We would encourage all supporters to share their views on this #NUFC pic.twitter.com/MJU2mEPWkU

— Newcastle United Supporters’ Club (@Nusc2023) May 9, 2025

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust further highlighted concerns regarding the club's adherence to Football Association rules on crest changes. The trust noted that the FA requires clubs to demonstrate majority supporter backing for such alterations. Given this, the trust argued, “As it stands, the survey is not able to provide information on whether the majority of our supporters are open to the idea of making a material change,” casting doubt on the survey's ability to meet regulatory expectations.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust has called for a revised survey to ensure compliance with FA regulations. According to the trust, “To comply with FA rules, we strongly urge you as a club to provide a new survey, written in a neutral tone and to include an option for supporters to indicate that they do not wish to pursue any change at all.”

The club's current crest, featuring elements from the city's Coat of Arms—such as the castle, demi-lion, seahorses, and pennon—has been in use since 1988 and holds significant historical and symbolic value for fans and the city alike.

“As the crest is a recognised Heritage Asset and a vital symbol that unites our city, we simply ask that the consultation process strictly adheres to FA guidance,” the trust said.