PSV

Mid-Week @psveindhoven recorded a thumping victory over Premier League toppers Liverpool. They currently sit atop their own Dutch Eredivisie. I have a soft spot for all things Dutch and have kept an eye on PSV over the years, but this victory really demanded further attention. So I think they've earned a #GetTheBadgeIn.

PSV were formed in 1913 by workers from the Philips company based in Eindhoven. This Dutch electrical megafirm is a rare European big hitter in the tech world. Over their long history, they began life developing carbon-filament lamps (old-fashioned light bulbs) and have poured money into Research and Development over the years. They've been instrumental in developing medical breakthroughs like the CT scanner and MRI machines, and on a more day-to-day basis, you will know them for their LED bulbs, shavers, and VCRs. They, in fact, also invented the cassette tape and, jointly with Sony, the Compact Disc. That's pretty impressive.

The technology links remain today with the Philips logo on the back of the shirt, and the shirt sponsor is Brainport Eindhoven, the name of the technology hub centred around the city, bringing in many more companies and tech firms.

In the process of driving innovation, their HQ and R&D labs in Eindhoven have employed thousands of people – many looking for a game to play. The football team that emerged from the company played initially with a black and white badge showing an upside-down light bulb with the words Philips inside.

In 1916, they formally adopted the name Philips Sports Association (Association is Vereniging in Dutch, hence the V in PSV). It has had great success over the years, especially in the 70s and 80s, winning the UEFA cup during that time (like my beloved Ipswich Town Football Club). They have brought through their academy superstars like Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, and Memphis Depay.

The fan base is especially proud of their team, and no player ever wears the number 12 – that number is reserved for the fans – their famous atmosphere at home grounds makes them the 12th man on the pitch.

Their badge then is of a simple design, showing the initials of the club on a flag in front of the red and white stripes taken from the club's colours. In 1982, they adopted a new badge that gave the oval shape a chain of horseshoes around the outside. I can't find online any trace of a deeper meaning to this other than horseshoes are a traditional sign of luck (which is why they are often a wedding gift). Perhaps that is the reason; the designer just felt it needed something extra, and this pattern worked well. It certainly has brought them some luck, with the club having won over twenty league titles – represented today by the two stars over the badge.

The Dutch, and PSV especially, pride themselves on their excellent academy pedigree. They have produced some of the world’s best players through their clubs, with PSV being 12th on the global list of clubs making money from their academy players. Their efforts are helped by a unique setup where the larger Dutch clubs field their Under 21 teams in the Dutch second league – meaning they’re up against professional adult opponents, all fighting for the big money promotion to the Eredivisie, right from the early days of their career.

Pioneers of technology and tactics, cassettes and crosses.

PSV are electric.