Manchester United badge: The history and changes to the Man Utd logo

The Manchester United badge is an iconic staple in English football, known all around the world.

But it didn’t always look the way it does now.

Since the club’s formation as ‘Newton Heath’ in 1878, there has been many changes to the renowned badge it is today.

So, let’s take a trip back to the very inception of the club.

Newton Heath 1878-1891

newton heath 1878 crest
Here, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This was the very first badge in the club’s history. The green and gold colours represented that of the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway which the club was formed through.

Likewise, the train is an emblem of that.

Then over 110 years later, United used the poignant green and gold colours again in their 1992 away kit.

But this wasn’t the last time these colours would re-enter Old Trafford.

With the leveraged buyout of the club in 2005 by the Glazer family, unrest and toxicity grew around the club.

This continued for years as the American owners failed to support the club financially.

Then in 2010, fans protested against the huge debt that had been placed on the club.

United would’ve made a net loss had they not sold Cristiano Ronaldo despite the club winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.

These protests led to this iconic photo of David Beckham returning to Old Trafford as an AC Milan player wearing a green and gold scarf.

Since then, the use of green and gold has been a statement of any fan protests against the club’s ownership.

Newton Heath 1891-1902

newton heath 1891 crest
S21710491, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

13 years later, the club made its first changes to the badge.

It simplified it by removing the train and adding a football at the top. It kept it’s green and gold colours though with the year of establishment clearly displayed.

Manchester United 1902 – 1960

manchester united crest 1902
Here, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

By 1902, United were on the brink of collapse due to lack of financing and increasing debt.

But a famous tale involving an English businessman and a dog, led to the survival of this iconic club.

It started at a club fundraising event where club captain Harry Stafford’s dog wandered off. He ended up at businessmen John Henry Davies’ door.

Davies took a liking to the dog and in return for investing in the club, he was given the dog. He and three other local businessmen put money into the club and kept it afloat.

Then, under his ownership, the club changed its name to Manchester United and its colours to red, white and black.

He also funded the move to Old Trafford in 1910 as well as the appointment of Ernest Mangall as club secretary (manager), who won United their first ever league titles.

The Latin phrase ‘CONCILIO ET LABORE’ translates to ‘by wisdom and effort’ in English, which was the Manchester moto. Every city had a Latin moto back then and this was Manchester’s.

It’s incredibly similar to the Manchester coat of arms.

The ship represents the Manchester Ship Canal and the cotton trade which was a crucial element in the growth of the city.

The lion and its helmet signifies the origins of the city around a Roman hamlet while the yellow stripes represent the cities three rivers Irwell, Irk and Medlock.

The ball at the top is in reference to the Manchester bees which represent the working-class nature of the city.

Manchester United 1960-1970

In 1960, came the next big change. The name ‘Manchester United was seen on the badge for the first time. The Manchester ship was still shown.

They used a red, white and black colour scheme fitting with the club’s colours.

The Lancashire rose was a prominent change with the three stripes remaining on the badge.

Manchester United 1970-73

Not long after, the colour scheme was completely changed.    The red and gold palette was introduced. The Lancashire rose was also replaced by two footballs.

It was a big step towards the current United badge.

Manchester United 1973 – 1998

Just three years later, the addition of the ‘Red Devil’ came in. The three stripes were removed to make place for this.

The Manchester ship remained though.

The ‘Red Devil’ came from local rugby league team ‘Salford Reds’ who were referred to as ‘Les Diables Rouges’ which is ‘The Red Devils’.

United’s manager Sir Matt Busby believed the nickname could be intimidating to opposition teams, so the club began using the devil logo.

Manchester United 1998 – PRESENT

Man United Fans

25 years later, the club logo was changed for the last time so far.

It was a refresh of the original badge with the words ‘Football Club’ removed from the badge.

The font’s used were bolder and more vivid across the badge.