Manchester United is one of the most followed football teams in the world. Recently, their iconic badge has come under scrutiny due to its historic links.

The Evolution of the Man Utd Badge

The Manchester United club badge is one of the most recognizable in the world of football. Throughout the history of the club, the badge has undergone several changes. Originally, the club used Manchester's coat of arms as its crest, featuring three diagonal stripes, a globe, and a ship. The motto "Concilio et Labore" was also included, meaning "by wisdom and effort." In the forties, the badge was reshaped into its familiar form with the addition of the words "Manchester United Football Club."

In the 1960s, legendary manager Matt Busby coined the nickname "the Red Devils," which led to the stripes being replaced by a devilish figure in the 70s. The design of the red devil was created by cartoonist and ex-player Dennis Law. The current emblem features a shield with a red devil holding a pitchfork, with a three-mast ship above it.

The Meaning Behind the Ship

The three-mast ship on the Man Utd badge represents the historic connection between Manchester and the Irish Sea. It is the only remaining feature from the city's coat of arms, symbolizing the city's global trading power during the industrial revolution.

In April 2023, campaigners called for the removal of the ship, alleging its links to a darker past of slavery. However, historians have dismissed these claims. Local Labour MP Graham Stringer stated that the claim tarnishes Manchester's proud history of anti-discrimination, emphasizing that the city had nothing to do with the slave trade.

What does the Man City badge mean?

Manchester City's club badge also holds symbolic meaning. The inclusion of a boat on the badge is a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1894. This significant engineering feat was a source of pride for the city. The badge also incorporates the red rose of Lancaster, symbolizing the county of Lancashire. The three blue lines on the shield represent the city's three rivers: the Irwell, the Irk, and the Medlock. The badge has undergone changes over the years, with the most recent version introduced in 2015.