Quote: PrinterThe "Not really if the designers do a good job it can last 20 years as the current Leeds United badge has done.
Do you really think a young fan would find the current Wigan badge appealing? Is a 7/8/9 year old going to prefer the Wigan badge over Leeds' badge? As I said tradition is important and should be part of any new badge but you surely should be able to have a modern take on it. Good designers should be able to produce something that appeals to both old and young.'"
I think young fans would buy into the traditional badge because it's linked to history and heritage that the people introducing them to the game would talk about. The passing down of club loyalties through family/friends is much stronger than any modern glitz and glammer. I get we need to do something to appeal to new and younger fans, I just personally don't think the club badge is the thing that should be changed to do this. Mascots, pre-game/half time entertainment, social clubs/junior membership events, school visits, players attending amateur club events, strong social media and then a strong digital platform through apps, games, info etc should be used as the modern way of appealing to young/new fans - some things though need to be part of the club identity and heritage, the badge, the colours and the kit should be sacred and untouched (though the kit can and should have modern variances but keeping true to the traditional colours and general kit design).
Again, that's just my view. For the existing long term fans, and to build that long term commitment from new fans, they need to 'buy in' to the club as more than just a current day pass time, it's needs to become part of who they are. When I look at my own family, going to the rugby together and Sunday dinner were the only 2 constants - regardless of how busy we were, how much or how little money my parents had when we were growing up, those 2 things were guaranteed to happen every week and it just simply always was and is part of who we are as a family. Kids, parents, grand parents, uncles, cousins - every week we're all together for it. Now it might be an age thing, but even though all the success I've seen us have has been under the Rhinos moniker, I'll always identify as a loiner first and foremost, and when I think of the club, I think of the old badge, the blue and Amber traditional hoops - I don't mind the Rhino moniker, and my son loves the whole Ronnie the Rhino aspect, but I suspect he'd still be as equally engaged if we still had our traditional badge (but Ronnie must definitely stay too). He's bought into what rugby, and specifically the Leeds club means to our family - family members who are no longer with us, but who are talked about at the rugby. For me, the traditional badge is about those people, the ones who've been part of the club and are no longer here.
Wow, I've gone off on a tangent and got myself all sentimental and emotional haha
