Search Results

The Sounders. The team from the Pacific Northwest with one of the strongest supporter bases in Major League Soccer. A club whose identity is firmly tied to the city of Seattle – a place known for its innovation, natural beauty, and civic pride – so let’s trek over to the West coast and #GetTheBadgeIn. Seattle Sounders FC joined Major League Soccer in 2009, but the Sounders name has a longer legacy. It dates back to 1974, when the original Sounders competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The name “Sounders” comes from Puget Sound , the large, complex system of interconnected waterways in Washington state. When the new franchise was announced, fans were invited to vote on the team name – and overwhelmingly chose to preserve that link with the past – and their state’s unique geography. Since joining MLS, the Sounders have built one of the league’s most consistent and competitive records. With 2 MLS Cups, 4 U.S. Open Cups, and a CONCACAF Champions League title in 2022, they have become one of the most successful clubs in North American football – they recently competed too in the expanded Fifa Club World Cup. They lost all their games but were up against giants like PSG, Atlético de Madrid and Botafogo. The badge reflects their commitment to a deep local identity. At its centre is the Space Needle, Seattle’s most recognisable landmark. Built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair, the Needle was designed to symbolise a futuristic, forward-thinking city. At the time, it captured the spirit of the space age and the belief that science, engineering, and bold design could lift cities – literally and figuratively – to new heights. Today it stands 605 feet tall and offers panoramic views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the urban skyline. The colours – Rave Green, Sounder Blue, and Cascade Shale – represent the forests, waters, and volcanic mountains that surround Seattle. But they are also, neatly, shared by the city's other major professional sports teams: the Seahawks (NFL), Mariners (MLB), Kraken (NHL), and Storm (WNBA) all incorporate shades of green and blue. This shared palette reinforces the city’s civic identity built around natural beauty and environmental awareness. Seattle has always been a city with an eye on the future. From its early days as a logging port and shipbuilding hub, it grew into a global centre of aerospace during the 20th century, with Boeing based in nearby Everett. Later, tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon transformed it into a city of data, software, and global commerce. The world drinks its coffee thanks to Starbucks and listens to its music shaped by its grunge heritage. Designers, builders and dreamers – the city has a simply superb track record on and off the pitch. Long before Microsoft and Starbucks ever arrived, the land now called Seattle was home to the Coast Salish peoples – particularly the Duwamish and Suquamish, who thrived for thousands of years around Puget Sound. These communities built rich cultures around salmon fisheries, cedar forests, and the rhythms of the tides. The modern city, established in the 1850s by settlers led by Arthur Denny, was named after Chief Si’ahl – or Seattle – a respected Indigenous leader known for diplomacy and peacekeeping during a time of rapid colonisation by Europeans. That legacy, of a place shaped by respect between locals and new arrivals, remains embedded in the civic fabric – and increasingly acknowledged by the city’s sports clubs. The most recent Sounder’s kit is a great example: Created in partnership with Connie McCloud, Gail White Eagle, and Danielle Morsette— artists from the Puyallup, Muckleshoot, and Suquamish Tribes—the 2024 kit is a powerful tribute to the region’s First Peoples and its sacred environment. Inspired by traditional Coast Salish weaving techniques like twilling and twining, the design features flowing geometric patterns that echo water, balance, and continuity. The zig-zags and lines of blues and greens symbolises reflects the natural harmony of the Salish Sea, with sea grass, forest, and waves all represented on the shirt. The label features the words “Water Is Sacred,” written in both English and Southern Lushootseed, the traditional language of the region’s tribes. On the back of the neck, a series of symbols—an orca tail, a wave, and a flowing “S” for Sounders—tie together themes of legacy, stewardship, and place. Seattle Sounders FC is more than a successful football club. It’s a civic institution – one with fan ownership, local heroes like Russell Wilson, Macklemore, and Ken Griffey Jr. in its investor group, and a fan culture driven by supporter organisations like the Emerald City Supporters and Gorilla FC. Lumen Field – which the Sounders share with the Seahawks and boasts a unique design that allows fans to see the cityscape above the field  – regularly sees attendances over 30,000, making it one of the best-supported clubs in MLS. That stadium, like the badge, is a point of pride. Even the club’s economic model reflects Seattle’s DNA: democratic, community-focussed, and creative. Supporters can vote on key decisions through the Sounders FC Alliance Council, and the club engages with environmental and social justice initiatives across the Pacific Northwest. In this, the Sounders mirror the values of the city they represent – progressive, pioneering, and proud of their roots. Seattle Sounders FC may not have the century-long legacy of Europe’s biggest clubs, but in just a few decades they have built something rare: a team with trophies, purpose, and a badge and colour scheme, that is deeply embedded in a very proud past – and an exciting future.

Boca Juniors. The Xeneizes. A club rooted in La Boca, Buenos Aires—fashioned by Genoese immigrants, shaped by triumph and tragedy, and burning with a global, working-class identity. So let’s #Getthebadgein and see what we can see. Founded in 1905 by five teenage boys—sons of Genoese immigrants. Many Genoese migrated to Argentina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to poverty, overcrowding, and declining maritime jobs in Liguria. Argentina offered better opportunities, with an open-door immigration policy, booming trade, and high demand for skilled labour in port cities like Buenos Aires. La Boca, with its busy docks and working-class character, felt familiar to the Genoese, who settled there in large numbers. They brought their culture, dialect, and community spirit—helping to shape the identity of both the neighbourhood and Boca Juniors. Boca the football team took its name from the vibrant port neighbourhood they called home.  In honour of their heritage, they briefly wore red and white shirts like those of Genoa, but in 1906, after agreeing to adopt the colours of the first ship to sail into the port, they switched to blue and gold—thanks to a Swedish vessel. The bold azul y oro  still defines their identity to this day. Their Genoese roots run deep. “Xeneizes”—the Ligurian word for “Genoese”—became their nickname, a proud marker of La Boca’s cultural history. The club has maintained these ties across generations, including an official twinning with Genoa CFC and commemorative kits that featured the word “ZENEIXI” above the player numbers. Ligurian is the language spoken traditionally in the north-western part of Italy in which Genoa is based – today it is endangered, with very few young people learning it, but the heritage is there and in the 19 th century those that came to Argentina from Genoa spoke it as their first language. The club’s badge has evolved alongside its reputation. The original circular design from 1911 was soon replaced by the familiar shield shape. In 1932, the club declared that each Primera División title would earn a gold star on the badge—these stars began appearing officially in 1943. A chunkier CABJ monogram was added in 1996, and the full band of stars returned in 2009. Each tweak in the design reflects a layer of history and identity, not just for the club, but for the millions who support it. In 1925, Boca became the first Argentine club to tour Europe. They played 19 matches, won 15, and returned home with the honorary title “Campeón de Honor.” But the legacy of that tour wasn’t just in results—it marked the birth of the legendary “12th man.” One travelling supporter, Victoriano Caffarena, was so integral to the team’s spirit that he was officially recognised, giving rise to “La Doce”—the passionate fan group that still defines Boca’s matchday experience. Their home, La Bombonera, opened in 1940 and is unlike any other. Its steep, vertical stands create a cauldron of noise. Locals say “ La Bombonera no tiembla. Late. ” (“La Bombonera doesn’t tremble. It beats.”) The atmosphere inside is said to be electrifying, particularly during the Superclásico against River Plate, where blue and gold banners, firecrackers, flares and chants fill the air. Boca’s story is not without sorrow. In 1968, during a match at River Plate’s Monumental stadium, 71 Boca fans were killed and over 150 injured at Gate 12—a catastrophe that went unacknowledged for decades. Only in 2008 did River install a plaque in remembrance, and Boca followed with their own tribute at La Bombonera. To this day, 23 June is marked as a day of mourning by the club. The rivalry with River Plate—the Superclásico—is not just the fiercest in Argentina but one of the most charged in world football. It has always been more than a game. Boca came to represent the working-class pride of the southern docks, while River moved north and became associated with Argentina’s wealthy elite. Every match between the two is a battle of class and heritage. Boca’s influence goes far beyond the pitch. Its youth academy is a breeding ground for brilliance—producing legends like Carlos Tevez, Juan Román Riquelme, Éver Banega, Leandro Paredes, and Nahuel Molina. The club also excels in other sports—basketball, futsal, volleyball, and hockey—most recently winning the 2023–24 basketball title. Off the field, Boca operates like a cultural institution. There’s a Boca-themed hotel in Buenos Aires and even a restaurant in New York. Boca-branded taxis roam the city. There’s a Boca wine label, Boca funeral services, and even a section in a cemetery reserved for lifelong fans. It’s a club that follows its supporters from cradle to grave. And then there are the trophies. Over 30 Primera División titles. Six Copa Libertadores. Three Intercontinental Cups—including famous victories over AC Milan and Real Madrid. Boca stands among the world’s most successful clubs, both historically and in terms of global reach, with over 315,000 members and a booming merchandise market stretching far beyond Argentina. So, that badge – a field of stars. But it’s more than simply on field success. It’s a story of immigration, aspiration, community, and hope.

. The Lone Star club of Rio. A team with origins on the water, legends on the pitch, and a badge that’s become one of the most recognisable symbols in Brazilian football. Botafogo’s story begins not on a football field, but in a rowing boat. Translated, the team name means Football and Rowing Club . In 1894, a group of young men from the Botafogo neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro founded the Club de Regatas Botafogo . A few years later, in 1904, another group—this time footballers—formed what would eventually become the Botafogo Football Club . It all began during an algebra class at the Alfredo Gomes College. A group of students had the idea to create a team called the Electro Club . The name didn’t last long—after a suggestion from Dona Chiquitota, grandmother of one of the players, the club adopted the name Botafogo Football Club, officially founded on 18 September 1904. The club's colours—black and white—were chosen in admiration of Juventus, the favourite team of founder Itamar Tavares. Its first badge, designed by Basílio Vianna Jr., was drawn in the Swiss style with a bold BFC  monogram. Before long, Botafogo Football Club would rise to become one of Rio’s strongest sides, winning championships in 1907, 1910, 1912, and more. Though the two Botafogo clubs shared the same name, colours, and neighbourhood, they remained separate—until fate intervened. On 8 December 1942, during a basketball match between the two institutions, Botafogo Football Club player Armando Albano , a respected athlete and Brazil international, collapsed and died at half-time. The tragedy united both clubs in grief. The president of the rowing club, Augusto Frederico Schmidt, famously said: “At this time, I declare to Albano that his last match ended with the victory of his team. We won’t play the time left on the clock. We all want the young fighter to leave this great night as a winner. This is how we salute him.” Eduardo Góis Trindade, president of the football club, added: “Between the matches of our clubs, only one can be the winner: Botafogo!” Schmidt concluded: “What else do we need for our clubs to become one?” And with that, the merger was complete. The Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas  was born—united not by business strategy, but by tragedy and shared spirit. The badge changed to mark the occasion. The football club’s monogram was replaced by the rowing club’s iconic lone white star, the Estrela Solitária , originally chosen to represent the planet Venus, as seen by early morning oarsmen on Guanabara Bay. That star still shines at the heart of the badge today. But the badge is just one part of what makes Botafogo unique. The club has long been one of Brazil’s most respected institutions, especially during the golden era of the 1950s and 60s. Legends such as Garrincha , Nilton Santos , Jairzinho , and Didi  wore the black and white stripes and helped shape the Brazil national team that would dominate world football. In 1968, Botafogo were crowned champions of Brazil, and in 2024, they finally lifted the Copa Libertadores , reclaiming their place at the top of South American football. The neighbourhood of Botafogo—located between the hills of Mundo Novo, Dona Marta, and São João—is a mostly upper-middle-class district, long serving as a connective hub between the city centre and the coastal zones of Copacabana and Ipanema. Its transformation from farmland in the 18th century to a modern urban centre in the 20th followed the very growth of the city itself. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the arrival of gas lighting, animal-drawn trams, and later, modern infrastructure, Botafogo evolved into a core part of Rio’s social and economic fabric. The name Botafogo  itself—literally meaning “Set it on fire”  or “Spitfire” —has its roots in Portuguese naval history. One of the men aboard the galleon Botafogo  was João de Sousa Pereira Botafogo , a nobleman from the city of Elvas and master gunner responsible for the ship’s powerful artillery. His skill earned him the nickname Botafogo — which he proudly added to his family name. Later, he travelled to Brazil, fought against the French and local Tupi peoples, and was rewarded by the Portuguese Crown with land that would one day carry his adopted name: Botafogo. Over the centuries, the name came to define the neighbourhood, the club, and even a ballroom dance step born in the area. Today, Botafogo plays at the Estádio Nilton Santos , a modern stadium named after one of its greatest icons. It stands as a testament to a club that has endured ups and downs but never lost its identity. The nickname O Glorioso — The Glorious One —wasn’t given lightly. Botafogo has excelled in rowing, basketball, swimming, athletics, and more. This is a club stitched into the cultural and sporting life of Rio. A city of mountains and ocean, samba and skyscrapers, wealth and struggle. A city built by migrants—from Portugal, from Africa, from the rural northeast, from across Latin America—all of whom contributed to Rio’s identity, its economy, and its footballing soul. It’s a story of Rio’s past as a colonial capital, its present as a city of contrasts, and its future as a place where football still matters—deeply. Let’s get the badge in.

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Flamengo. So, let’s #GetTheBadgeIn for one of Brazil’s most iconic clubs, born on the waters of Guanabara Bay in Rio and now a giant of South American football.   Flamengo was initially founded on 17 November 1895, not as a football team but as a rowing club, by a group of young men from the Flamengo neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. At the time, rowing was considered one of the most prestigious and popular sports in Brazil. Like Botafogo—who also began as a rowing club—Flamengo’s identity was originally tied to the bay. The calm waters of Rio’s natural harbour made it a perfect place for competitive regattas, which were regular social events among the city’s middle and upper classes in the late 19th century.   In 1911, a group of players broke away from Fluminense Football Club (see here: https://www.getthebadgein.net/post/fluminense-fc )  and asked Flamengo rowing club to form a football team under their name. This they did (and the team today is still officially called ‘Flamengo Rowing Club’). The football team played its first official match in May 1912, winning 16–2 against Mangueira. Within a couple of years, Flamengo had claimed its first Rio State Championship, and the football side quickly became the dominant part of the club’s sporting identity. Their rivalry with their former parent, Fluminense is one of the most intense in world football, the so called ‘Fal-Flu Derby’. The only derby I know of that could be called a fratricide. Like two rival brothers – the passion is fierce.   As those footballers approached the rowing club looking to form a new team, they did so at a difficult time for Brazil. Between 1889 and 1930, Brazil’s Old Republic was controlled by wealthy landowners from São Paulo , which produced coffee, and Minas Gerais , known for dairy — a system called “café com leite” (coffee with milk) politics . Slavery had only just ended in 1888 – the last place in the Americas to ban it , and formerly enslaved people received little help or land, continuing to live in poverty. Most Brazilians, including women and the poor, had no right to vote or take part in politics. Although cities grew and immigrants arrived to work on farms and in towns, power stayed in the hands of a small, rich elite. For many working class Brazilians from Rio, living in this unequal world of constraints, football looked like an exciting new symbol of European style growth and modernity. Fluminense had been founded by an Anglo-Brazilian who had learnt of the game when studying in Switzerland. They adopted a stylised Swiss badge with the initials wrapped around each other – Flamengo did the same, adopting the same lettering style and shield motif – but with a striking black and red adopted from the rowing team’s colours. The football shirt, sometimes called the Manto Sagrado (Sacred Mantle), has become one of the most recognisable in world football.   The club’s name and neighbourhood—Flamengo—has more unusual roots. The word comes from the Portuguese for “Flemish”, referring to Dutch sailors who were shipwrecked in the area during an attempted invasion in the late 16th century. At the time, Portugal and Spain were united under the Iberian Union, and the Dutch were at war with the Spanish Crown. Though the sailors never settled there in large numbers, the area retained the name. In later centuries, Flamengo developed into a quiet residential and seaside district, before becoming a fashionable and then densely urbanised part of Rio.   Flamengo’s rise matched the evolution of Rio itself. As Brazil’s capital throughout most of the 20th century, the city attracted waves of migration—from the northeast of Brazil, from rural areas, and from abroad. The club’s support base grew across social classes and regions. By the mid-20th century, Flamengo had become the most widely supported club in Brazil. Players like Zizinho, Dida, and later Zico became national icons. The club’s 1981 Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup wins, particularly the 3–0 dismantling of Liverpool in Tokyo, cemented Flamengo’s place in global football history.   Today, Flamengo remains member-owned. The club’s Ninho do Urubu training centre is a state-of-the-art facility used by both the senior squad and its highly regarded youth academy. Home matches are played at the Maracanã, where Flamengo draws some of the largest crowds in South America. Recent years have seen further success: multiple Campeonato Carioca titles, national league championships, and another Copa Libertadores title in 2019, followed by a third in 2022. The club continues to be one of the wealthiest in Latin America, with a strong commercial structure, major sponsorships, and a large global following.   Flamengo’s badge is simple but it represents a long and layered story. A club that began by breaking away from what it considered the too strict bonds of the more bourgeois Fluminense, at a time when Brazil was still in the grip of an older, restrictive time period. Its fanbase grew as Rio grew. It reflects Rio’s diverse history, its social change, and its enduring obsession with football.

Fluminense Football Club. Owners of the most iconic and impressive kit colours at this year’s Fifa Club World Cup. The Tricolor Carioca. A club who predates Brazilian football itself – one born in the rhythms and flows of Rio de Janeiro itself—so let’s #GetTheBadgeIn and see what we can discover. Fluminense was founded on 21 July 1902 by Oscar Cox, a young man from Rio’s privileged class. Born to a wealthy Anglo-Brazilian family, Cox had studied in Switzerland, where he discovered the newly codified game of football. On his return to Brazil, he brought with him a ball and introduced the game to his mates – who formed a team, Fluminense. Based in the leafy, refined neighbourhood of Laranjeiras, the club was embraced by Rio’s educated elite—bankers, civil servants, merchants, and intellectuals. These were people who saw football not just as a pastime, but as a mark of sophistication, a link to the modern styles and trends in Europe – a modern sport for a modern city. The club’s name, Fluminense, comes from the Latin word flumen , meaning river, combined with the Portuguese suffix -ense , meaning “from” or “belonging to.” It literally means “from the river,” and is the official demonym for people from the state of Rio de Janeiro (while Carioca  refers specifically to the city). Choosing this name gave the club an identity tied not just to one neighbourhood, but to the broader spirit and pride of the state itself. That sense of civic pride quickly turned into something concrete. In 1919, Fluminense became the first club in Brazil to build its own football stadium—Estádio das Laranjeiras—funded entirely by subscriptions from its own members. It quickly became the focus point for all thing soccer in Brazil, in fact, it had already begun hosting important matches even before completion. In 1914, the stadium was the setting for the Brazil national football team’s first ever game—and first ever goal—against Exeter City who were on tour at the time. Quite the claim for today’s League 1 Grecians (do they honour it? I’d have a Brazilian inspired away kit almost every year if I were them! And a club store in Rio!) Five years later, it was where Brazil won their first title, the South American Championship of 1919. By 1922, Fluminense had over 4,000 members, a stadium with space for 25,000 fans, and facilities so impressive that they drew praise from visiting European teams. Fluminense’s early story also shaped one of world football’s great rivalries. In 1911, internal disagreements among Fluminense players led to a group leaving to form Flamengo’s football team. The arguments centred over the team’s managements approach to discipline and team selection, which many of the players from more laid back and bohemian parts of the city felt were unfair and unnecessary. 11 players split and approach a local rowing club – Flamengo – and asked it they fancied opening a football team. They did. And so they did. Here in lie the origins of the famous Rio “Fla-Flu” derby. The match became more than just a football fixture—it was a clash of identities. Over time, it came to reflect the social, cultural, and geographical contrasts within Rio itself. That said, the two teams needed a stadium fitting to host such a large scale and passion event. In step The Maracanã. Constructed for the 1950 World Cup, the first one after the Second World War and an opportunity for Brazil to showcase itself to the world. The government invested and built the mighty (almost) 200,000 seater stadium. Unfortunately, in the final Uruguay shocked Brazil and won 2-1. In 1966 the stadium took on the name The Maracanã, in honour of local journalist Mário Filho. Filho led the world in developing sports’ journalism and his writing, covering the management, the players and the games in more detail than anyone else had ever done set the standard for modern sports’ journalism. The Rio in which the team was based was a boom town during this period. That story begins centuries earlier. In the 1600s and 1700s, Rio was a key hub in the Portuguese colonial economy. It exported sugar to Portugal, which then re-exported it to England, France, and the Netherlands. Gold from inland mines passed through Rio to Europe, helping to fund the Portuguese crown. And Rio played a tragic role in the transatlantic slave trade, receiving enslaved Africans—particularly from Angola—as part of the wider imperial triangle. In the 1800s, coffee took over as Brazil’s dominant export. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, countries like the United States, Germany, and Britain became hungry for caffeine, and Rio became the engine room of the global coffee trade. By the early 1900s, Rio was expanding rapidly, and so too was Fluminense. The club’s badge reflects all this—the refinement of its European influences. The interlocking FFC monogram, inspired by Swiss-style design, sits within a classic shield – honouring the Swiss influence that began with Oscar Cox. The colour scheme—maroon, green, and white—is entirely unique in world football. While adopted right from the very beginning of the team the colours have in later years been attributed to symbolises nature (green), peace (white), and dignity(maroon). Through the ages the club’s youth academy in Xerém has developed modern stars such as Marcelo, Thiago Silva, and Fabinho. And while its image was once reserved and refined, today it carries the nickname Time de Guerreiros —Team of Warriors—a tribute to the spirit shown in comebacks like the dramatic relegation escape in 2009. That nickname sums up something vital: a club that was born of Rio’s elite has become part of its popular soul. So, when you see the Fluminense badge—its sharp monogram, noble colours, and graceful design—It’s a window into Rio’s story: from sugar port to global city, from aristocratic pastimes to working-class passions. A story that continues to flow, like the river it’s named for.

Juventus Football Club. Juve. La Vecchia Signora—the Old Lady. A name that carries weight across Italy and far beyond. So let’s get the badge in for one of the most famous teams on Earth. Founded in 1897 by a group of students on a bench along Corso Re Umberto in Turin, Juventus began as a modest schoolboy team but grew into a club that would come to represent an entire city—and much of a nation. Turin, before becoming home to Juve, has had a long history y- beginning life as a Roman army camp 2000 years ago, housing the powerful House of Savoy which for centuries dominated Italian politics was central to the unification of Italy in the 1880s. Turn was even the capital of Italy from 1861 to 1865. Modern Turin, Juventus’s home, was at the heart of Italy’s industrial boom in the early 20th century. Known as “the Detroit of Italy”, it became the centre of car manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and steelworks. At the heart of that transformation stood FIAT (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino), founded in 1899 by Giovanni Agnelli—whose family would go on to own Juventus and tie the club’s fate to the economic development of the city.   As FIAT expanded, drawing workers from southern and rural Italy to fill factory floors, the city itself changed. Turin became a magnet for migrants and a hotbed for industrial labour movements. Juventus, initially a club of middle-class students, became a bridge between old and new Turin—its appeal stretching from the classroom to the assembly line.   It’s no surprise that Juve’s early growth mirrored that of the city’s factories. FIAT eventually became Juventus’s financial backbone, giving the club access to resources that many rivals lacked. As Turin became the country’s economic engine, Juventus positioned itself as its footballing counterpart. In the early 1900s, Juventus, who were previously playing in pink, wanted to change their kit colors. Tom Savage, a Nottingham-born player for Juventus, arranged for a set of black and white striped shirts to be sent from Notts County to Juventus. Juventus adopted these colors and have worn them ever since. The Juventus badge has gone through many changes—each one capturing something about the era it represented. Early versions featured the bull of Turin, a reference to the city’s coat of arms. The mural crown that sometimes appeared above the crest was a symbol of the city’s status. In 1958, Juventus became the first Italian club to add a gold star above the badge, celebrating their tenth Serie A title—a tradition now common around the world.   In 2017 the traditional shield was replaced with a minimalist black and white “J”—a modernist symbol aimed at reflecting the club’s brand in a digital, globalised age. It was a controversial move. For traditionalists, it removed the team from the city’s proud heritage. For others, it was a sign of confidence—a club ready to lead again, not just on the pitch, but in how football presents itself to the world.   And lead they have. Juventus have won over 30 Serie A titles, more than any other Italian club, along with two European Cups and dozens of domestic trophies. From Giampiero Boniperti to Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus has been home to some of the game’s most iconic names. But it has also retained a strong connection to its city, particularly through its supporters— the working people of Turin who filled the old Stadio Comunale, and now gather in the state-of-the-art Allianz Stadium. It is a club shaped by factories and family, by migration and modernity, by a belief in progress tempered by a respect for tradition.

Ulsan HD FC. Known for years as Ulsan Hyundai, the clue is in the name, but this team is from a city built on industry and an economic miracle.   The club was founded in December 1983 as Hyundai Horang-i, backed by Hyundai Heavy Industries and originally based in Incheon. By 1990, it had relocated to Ulsan—Hyundai’s industrial home—and began building up its fanbase and identity.   The name Ulsan combines the ancient term “Ul” (likely referring to the old local region of Ulju) and “San”, which means “mountain” in Korean. The name reflects the geography of the area—a coastal plain ringed by low mountains. It was perfect for a sheltered fishing village and trading town which is what it was for most of its history. Then came the 1960s and South Korea’s post war boom. It’s access to the sea made it an ideal site for heavy industry. The transformation, when it came, was rapid and profound.   That transformation was driven largely by Hyundai. Founded in 1947 by Chung Ju-yung, Hyundai began as a construction company and grew into one of South Korea’s major chaebols (family-run conglomerates). The name “Hyundai” means “modernity”, a fitting label for a company looking to rebuild a new economy from the ashes of the Korean War. As the company grew it spun off numerous divisions, including Hyundai Heavy Industries (now the world’s largest shipbuilder).   The Hyundai shipyard stretches over four kilometers along the coast of Mipo Bay in Ulsan and includes 10 dry docks and 9 giant ‘Goliath’ cranes – some of the biggest in the world. They build everything here from ballistic missile submarines to some of the worlds largest container ships to specialised semi-submersible oil rig carriers.   The other famous department is the Hyundai Motor Company, which operates the largest single automobile plant in the world, located in Ulsan and producing over 1.5 million vehicles annually.   Understandably then the city of Ulsan has became synonymous with engineering, shipbuilding, oil refining, and automotive production. Its economy boomed, attracting workers from all over the country and transforming it into one of South Korea’s wealthiest cities by GDP per capita. The football club grew out of this industrial surge—a part of Hyundai’s community-building vision. The company built the city up with retail and housing developments – and of course – a football team.   Ulsan HD FC’s badge captures this legacy. It features a powerful tiger, long a symbol of strength and courage in Korean folklore, backed by bold colours and a clean, professional design. The club’s recent rebranding in 2023, shifting from Ulsan Hyundai to Ulsan HD FC, reflected a broader corporate identity shift but kept the essential elements intact.   On the pitch, Ulsan began with steady growth—finishing third in their debut season in 1984, and winning their first K League title in 1996. Since then, the club has become a giant in Korean and Asian football. They’ve won multiple K League titles, including three consecutively from 2022 to 2024, and lifted the AFC Champions League trophy twice, in 2012 and 2020. Their home ground, Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and remains one of the country’s finest football venues.   But the real soul of the club lies in its supporters—factory workers, engineers, students, and families who fill the stands and fly the blue and white of Ulsan. The Hyundai Derby against Jeonbuk Motors (green and yellow) is more than a football match; it’s a reflection of the industrial rivalry and civic pride that run deep in Korea’s corporate history.   Ulsan’s rise—from a quiet coastal town to a global industrial hub—is just incredible. A true Asian tiger. What began as a company team has grown into one of Asia’s most successful clubs, while never forgetting the people and industry that made it possible.   The club’s badge, with its tiger crest and corporate clarity, stands not just for footballing ambition but for a city that reinvented itself—and a company that helped shape a nation’s future.

Launched only in 2020, and co-founded by David Beckham—who has lived in Miami since 2007— Inter Miama has quickly become a symbol of football's "breakout moment" in the USA - blending Beckham’s global brand with Miami’s vibrant identity. Their badge features two great white herons, native to South Florida, standing back-to-back with legs forming an “M” for Miami. Between them is an eclipse sun with seven rays—a nod to Beckham’s iconic number 7—while the pink-black-white colour scheme is uniqie in world football and makes their shirts stand out. The name “Inter” (Internazionale) was also carefully chosen. It harks back to Inter Milan, who in their earliest days split from AC Milan over the belief that football should be open to international players. In a city like Miami, where more than 70% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and over half of residents were born abroad, the choice of “Inter” is a perfect reflection of Miami’s diverse and global identity. Those pink herons then were not chosen just to be distintictive - but they and their design also reflect Miami's famourls Art Deco architecture. Particularly along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. From the 1920s to the ’40s, architects like Lawrence Murray Dixon and Henry Hohauser built sleek, symmetrical, pastel-coloured buildings with geometric lines, terraces, and neon highlights. They quickly came to symbolise the wealth and glamour of the USA. It became the city’s identity, driving tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and starring in countless contemporary fashions, films and video games. Nowhere else in the United States has such a concentrated, vibrant Art Deco district — it defines Miami’s streetscape as much as it does its attitude. Miami’s nickname—“Vice City”—originated well before GTA picked it up. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the city became known for its underground drug trade, high-profile corruption cases, and a lawless edge that captured global headlines. Messi’s arrival supercharged interest, leading to packed stadiums, rising TV ratings, and fresh interest in the MLS both domestically and abroad. Beckham’s had long planned this club - when he signed for the MLS back in 2007. Say what you like about the lad, but he had the good sense to include a peculiar line in his contract when signing for LA Galaxy - he would forever retain the option to buy a franchise (new team) in the MLS for a mere $25m. That he did, and kids can be seen wearing Messi's inconic black and pink strip from Miama to Mumbai. Beckham's shrwed investment has paid for itself a thousand fold. I have an admission to make - I totally underestimated how clever this badge is. The design and colour scheme are exceptionally well thought-out. This isn’t some generic design studio disaster cooked up by a kid with no understanding of the city. This is a testament to class and depth in the modern footballing world—a visual identity rooted in local nature, urban design, personal meaning, and community culture. It proves that even in an era of commercial rush-jobs, you can still create something that looks modern but is packed with historical meaning. It’s Miami in football form. From its heron badge and eclipse sun to Art Deco roots and Vice City swagger, it’s a club that’s stylish, strategic—and unmistakably from the neon-lit city. Very well done Sir Beckham.

One of the giants of Liga Portugal – . Founded in 1893, this is a club whose badge and city are inseparable, steeped in history from medieval reconquest to modern architectural brilliance. The FC Porto badge is one of the most richly detailed I have seen – and I love it. It features a classic blue-and-white football encircled by the club’s initials – FCP – and topped with one of the most layered symbols in the sport: the Portuguese national coat of arms (see here for a post on it separately). Within it are five blue shields, arranged in a cross, each dotted with five small white dots – these represent the five Moorish kings defeated by Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, at the Battle of Ourique. The small white dots symbolise the five wounds of Christ, tying together Christian victory and national myth. Surrounding the shields are seven golden castles, a nod to the fortified cities captured during the Reconquista (when the Christian armies expelled the Islamic caliphate from the Iberian Peninsula in the 1400s). These elements combine to reflect the process through which the Portuguese kingdom was born – through conflict, faith, and a relentless drive for sovereignty. But that’s only part of the crest. Behind the national coat of arms is the coat of arms of the City of Porto, which includes the Virgin Mary, twin towers, and a green dragon – rooted in local legend and symbolic of the city's defiance. The inclusion of both national and civic symbols in a single football badge is rare, and it says everything about Porto’s character: fiercely local, proudly national. The twin towers in the crest come directly from the city's medieval coat of arms. They symbolise the fortified nature of Porto in the Middle Ages, when the city walls and gates were vital to defending its independence and maintaining control of its important port. In between the two towers is the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Porto. Legend states that a statue of the Virgin was brought to Porto by Christian crusaders from France and placed at one of the city gates (the Vandoma Gate). It became a symbol of divine protection during battles and sieges, especially when Porto resisted enemy forces. And it seems to have worked - as we shall see: The dragon, which crowns the top of the badge, was added in the 19th century for Porto’s bravery during the Liberal Wars. The city endured a brutal siege (1832–33) while supporting King Pedro IV. As a reward for its resistance, the king granted Porto the honour of bearing the title Invicta and added the dragon to its arms to symbolise the city’s courage. And the nickname Dragões has stuck ever since. The city is one of the oldest in Europe. Known in Roman times as Portus Cale, the name would stick not just for the city – but the country too. Portus is Latin for “port” or “harbour”, and Cale was the name of an earlier pre-Roman settlement in the area. Together, Portus Cale referred to the harbour and town that developed at the mouth of the Douro River. Over time, the term evolved into Condado Portucalense (the County of Portucale), the medieval territory from which the independent Kingdom of Portugal emerged. The modern nation takes its name directly from the ancient identity of Porto. The city is not just important in Portuguese history – it’s foundational to it. Christian forces took the city back from Muslim rule in 997, making it a vital first step in the Portuguese Reconquista. In 1415, it was Porto that launched the fleet that carried Prince Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese army to Ceuta (the southern gateway of the Straits of Gibraltar). Control of this part of North Africa gave Christian Europe access to the Mediterranean and a base from which to explore the African coast. The Age of Discovery, led by Portugal, began in earnest thereafter. Porto then thrived as a trading port, particularly through its production of port wine, which still defines the Douro Valley today. On the pitch, FC Porto has claimed over 30 Primeira Liga titles, 18 Portuguese Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, and 2 European Cups/Champions Leagues – most notably under José Mourinho in 2004. It has nurtured talent from Deco, Falcao, and James Rodríguez, to Pepe and Bruno Alves, earning a reputation for developing world-class players while punching above its weight on the European stage. FC Porto’s badge isn’t just a logo – it’s a mini history of Portugal. From castles and kings to saints and dragons, from Portus Cale to modern Europe, it’s a visual story that spans centuries. The club is more than blue stripes and silverware – it’s a symbol of Porto’s undefeated heart. And it takes to the pitch every weekend to continue the legacy.

As the Roman Empire fell and the barbarians stormed into Italy, the local people fled. To the mountains, into the hills – and into the seas. Literally. Into the sea. At what is today Venice, refugees fled with their belongings into the shallow marshlands off the coast – the barbarians – keen to get down to Rome and loot the good stuff – watched with bemusement and let them go. Out in the marshes, these settlers put down roots – well – logs, to be precise. By ramming logs deep into the sea floor they created platforms on which they could build. Over time, these foundations have, far from rotting away, petrified – absorbed so much water that they have turned into solid rock. It is upon these manmade foundations that the city sprang. Let’s fast forward a bit… to a time when this city had turned from a soggy backwater to a European powerhouse. During the 4th Crusade, as the assault on Constantinople stalled and hesitation gripped the fleet, many of the galleys carrying reinforcements lingered in the safety of the waters. Amidst this uncertainty, the blind and 92-year-old Doge of Venice, Enrico Dandolo, defied age, fear, and reason. Clad in full armour, he commanded his galley to surge ahead alone, landing boldly on the beach beneath the walls of the greatest city in Christendom. At his side flew the banner of St Mark. His audacious act of leadership and defiance stirred the hearts of the wavering Crusaders—shaming them into action and igniting the charge that would ultimately breach the city’s defences. I've been studying and teaching History, properly, for more than twenty years now. You'd think I'd have a grasp of most of it, right? Wrong. Even now, I'm still uncovering incredible civilisations, people, and stories I’d never even come close to discovering before. One such story is that of Venice and their incredible trading Empire of the Middle Ages. This led me to seek out their football team—and their badge. And wow. What a story we have here. So, let's leave the cold, rain-soaked terraces of East Anglian non-league football for a moment or two, and transport ourselves to the open-air, 11,500-seater stadium of Pier Luigi Penzo, at the very end of one of Venice's micro-islands, nestled inside the Aegean lagoon that call home. The badge is a straightforward V. V for Venezia. Simple. But embedded in this V is a lion. A lion with wings. The V badge has only been around for just over a year or two. The older one features the lion more vividly, so I've posted that image too. After the capture of Constantinople, Venice could demand what it liked. It could have had gold, territory, titles... and while it took a few of those things, it really only demanded one thing—a trade deal. A Venetian-run system of free trade across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. And it got it. Known as the Stato da Mar, these seas became Venice's highways. Goods from the Far East embarked in Ukraine and sailed to North Africa. Goods from the Middle East embarked at Palestine and travelled to Northern Europe. All on Venetian ships. A bit like modern Britain, Venice was poor in natural resources but boasted a large coastline and an enterprising people. It traded—or it died. They sought to engage, expand, and control European trade—not cripple it. That’s how they took back control. Not with hate-filled slogans, but with ships. At its height, it ran an incredibly efficient system of trade and government. Local officials were salaried and banned from conducting their own trade or employing family members—an anti-corruption measure British and American politics could benefit from today. Their dockyards built the first assembly lines—Venice could produce one completed galley every 24 hours. How long would it take a modern dockyard? Another lesson we could learn today was one of tolerance and pragmatism. The Venetians traded with everyone and anyone: Turks, Arabs, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Protestants, Orthodox, and Catholic. At a time when other European cities were busy murdering their Jewish residents, the Venetians gifted them an island to set up shop and protected them in law. If you could help, if you had something to offer—you were in. Today that glory has gone. Like much of Europe, only the shell remains—a tourist trap, a theme park of former power, frequented by Chinese and Arab tourists. It remains a sacred place for fashion, style, and film festivals. But in reality, its lifeblood is the sale of fridge magnets to the day-trippers disgorged onto its streets each day by mammoth, coastline-eroding and water-polluting cruise ships. But baked into the buildings, and buried beneath the slowly sinking courtyards, lies a spirit that once monopolised global trade, engineered the defeat of the world’s greatest powers, and accumulated wealth and culture that far outstripped its humble origins as a desperate refuge for the poor. The Venetians will always find a way. And St Mark will roar again.

Today is #SuperBowlLIX   , and as a one-off special, let's #GetTheBadgeIn for the teams involved. Playing in New Orleans, the Philadelphia @Eagles will take on the for the second time in three years. The Chiefs won their last meeting 38-35, and they’re eager to add a 4th Super Bowl title to their incredible recent run. But before the action begins, let’s explore the surprising origins of the Chiefs. Despite the name, the logo, the stadium (Arrowhead), the traditional costume of its fans (Native American face paint and headdresses), and the famous "Arrowhead Chop" celebration, the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t originally meant to be a nod to Native American culture. Instead, the team was named after H. Roe Bartle. Bartle, a Kansas City local, gained prominence as the leader of the local scout association. As head of the organisation, he was called “Chief” by the scouts, and the nickname stuck. Bartle later moved into business and became an influential local figure. When President Truman asked him to lead the Economic Stabilization Agency, Bartle had to resign from 57 boards of directors to avoid conflicts of interest (something that today’s America might find amusing, given how public office is often exploited for private gain—but I digress). With Bartle’s involvement in numerous ventures, it wasn’t long before he became the mayor of Kansas City—twice. During his time as mayor, an opportunity came knocking. A few years earlier, in 1958, American businessman Lamar Hunt had watched the NFL Championship Game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts. Widely known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played," it featured an exciting finish, innovative play, and record-breaking TV viewership. Hunt, captivated, wanted to be part of the action. He approached the NFL about buying a franchise. They said no. So Hunt decided to create his own league instead—the American Football League (AFL). He personally took ownership of a team based in Dallas, calling them the Texans. However, after a few years, he realised the local market couldn’t generate the revenue the team needed, so he began searching for a larger city. That’s when Bartle stepped in. He saw an opportunity to boost Kansas City’s public profile and offered Hunt a deal, promising ground improvements and a major increase in season ticket sales. Hunt was convinced. The Texans packed up, moved to Kansas City, and renamed the team after the man who made it all happen—Chief Bartle. So, there you have it. The Kansas City Chiefs may not have started as a tribute to Native American culture, but they represent a key chapter in the history of American sports, entrepreneurship, and civic pride.

Today is #SuperBowlLIX and as a one-off special, let's #GetTheBadgeIn for the teams involved. Playing in New Orleans, the Philadelphia @Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the second time in three years. It was a close game last time (38-35 to the Chiefs), and Kansas City are keen to add a 4th Super Bowl title to their recent incredible run. But don’t count out the Eagles just yet—they’re ready to soar. So, let’s start with the Philadelphia Eagles. Is their name as simple as Eagles are fast, aggressive, and look cool? Yes. But also no. See, the Eagles icon was chosen by the founders, Bert Bell and Lud Wray, because, at that time, there was a different eagle inspiring local people—the National Recovery Administration (NRA). Back in the 30s, the USA, under President Roosevelt, was pulling all the federal levers of government it had to help the country recover from the Great Depression. This wasn’t some crazy scheme dreamt up by a deep-state cabal of conspiracy theorists but an honest attempt to improve people’s lives. The economic shock had seen millions lose savings, homes, and jobs. Exports had slumped, and prices were skyrocketing. It was a bad time. So in stepped the NRA. It set out codes of conduct for employment, set minimum wages, and gave unions a greater say in bargaining for increased rights for their members. Companies that adhered to the code got to display a blue eagle badge on their premises and advertising. The government ran a campaign encouraging people to frequent the eagle-clad businesses as a way of helping their fellow Americans. In the middle of this gloom, Bell and Wray led a buyout of the bankrupt NFL team, the Philadelphia Yellow Jackets. They secured the right to a slot in the league and decided to enter with a new team—the Eagles—and to adopt the Eagle symbol in the process. Bell was a long-time football player and coach who had an eye for what fair competition looked like. Later in his career, he became the NFL commissioner and introduced the NFL Draft, giving the worst teams from the season before the first picks of the new talent coming out of the college system. This drafting process has kept the league competitive and has avoided the game being dominated by teams backed by billionaire owners. It also, in my opinion, makes the achievements of teams like the Chiefs and the New England Patriots even more remarkable. They won title after title without continuously buying in fresh superstars but by nurturing and integrating talent into their teams. Bell had an eye for keeping things fair—which surely explains his fondness for the NRA Eagle. And there you have it—far from being just a cool name, the Philadelphia Eagles are rooted in a symbol of hope and recovery. Fly Eagles Fly.