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The Daggers (@Dag_RedFC) sliced up AFC Wimbledon in the #EmiratesFACup and now they've drawn @MillwallFC in the next round, which I think is very winnable. But regardless, let's honour them by taking a closer look at this club with an incredible double history: Dagenham and Redbridge. Let’s #GetTheBadgeIn.   The club was formed in 1992 through a merger of Dagenham and Redbridge Forest, the latter itself a merger of Ilford, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow Avenue. The club's traditional colours, red and blue, represent the merged teams—similar to @MaldonTiptreeFC     The club crest blends the two coats of arms of Dagenham and Redbridge, and it’s done magnificently.   Let’s start with the quartered red and blue waves in the background. This is directly taken from the Dagenham coat of arms, which features the same pattern. It also fits well because the Redbridge coat of arms features wavy lines too—common among towns near rivers or the sea (see @IpswichTown  and others). In this case, the waves represent the rivers central to both towns: the Thames for Dagenham and the River Roding for Redbridge. Dagenham's original coat of arms also includes a cog, symbolising the industries that relied on the area's wharfs, jetties, and docks along the Thames - more on which later.   At the top of the crest, we see crossed keys and a sword. The keys symbolise St Peter (gatekeeper of Heaven), while the sword represents St Paul, who wrote about wielding faith like a sword (and was also beheaded by one). The Church of St Peter and St Paul, built in the 13th century, sits at the heart of Dagenham. A century later, —The Cross Keys pub —opened across the road from it, and it remains open today.   The oak tree at the base of the crest is from Redbridge’s coat of arms. It represents the Fairlop Oak, a massive tree in Hainault Forest with a recorded circumference of 66 feet. For centuries, it served as a meeting point, and in 1725, the first Fairlop Fair was held under its branches. Organised by local landowner Daniel Day to celebrate (distract from?) rent day with his tenants, it grew into a massive event, attracting 200,000 attendees by the early 19th century. Unfortunately, the fair ended when the common land was enclosed, sold off, and blocked from communal use—a sad end to the 18th centuries answer to Glastonbury.    What about the red birds on the crest? These are martlets, which appear on Redbridge’s coat of arms and reference King Edward the Confessor. Edward, the last Saxon King, passed away without an heir, sparking the succession crisis that led to the Norman Conquest in 1066. However, while Edward’s heraldic birds were doves, not martlets, his influence lives on in other coats of arms. Edward had loose connections to the area—he owned a palace at Havering-atte-Bower, not far from Redbridge. A Catholic Church in Romford bears his name, possibly connecting him to Redbridge and, ultimately, the Daggers.   Dagenham's Saxon connections run deep, the name derives from the old Saxon name Dacca’s Homestead (Ham).   More recently, the geography of this area attracted the Ford Motor Company to Dagenham, where they built a factory in 1931, having previously operated in Manchester. The Thames' deep waters allowed for larger shipments, making Dagenham the ideal location. Over the decades, the factory has produced nearly 11 million cars. It also gained fame in 1968, when the women of Dagenham, ever a feisty group, went on strike over unequal pay. They sewed car seats and had been subjected to a pay cut. Their demands for equal pay eventually succeeded, inspiring the 1970 Equal Pay Act as women across the UK followed their example.   So, there you have it—the Daggers. Blessed by Christianity’s two greatest saints, home to Saxon kings, industrial innovators, fierce proponents of equality, and legendary party-goers of the 18th century. The Daggers can cut through history—and I'm sure, Lions.

This year's FA Cup winners (yes, you read that right...) So let's #GetTheBadgeIn! First, why the Eagle? Why Crystal Palace? Why do they sound like they’re from the Wizard of Oz? Let’s take a moment to #GetTheBadgeIn #CPFC   Palace themselves aren’t entirely sure when they began, if we’re honest. Until two seasons ago, their badge read 1905, with the story being that the team was formed by workers from the Crystal Palace in Sydenham, London. However, local historian Peter Manning unearthed evidence suggesting the team dates back to 1861. If true, this would make Palace older than Notts County ( @Official_NCFC , 1862) and allow them to claim to be the oldest team in England.   So, what is their claim? The story of Crystal Palace Football Club begins, unsurprisingly, with the Crystal Palace itself. The Palace originated with the Great Exhibition of 1851, a visionary project led by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband. Nicknamed “The Crystal Palace,” it showcased British industry and ingenuity, at the height of our Imperial heyday. Visitors could marvel at treasures like an Egyptian mummy, the Koh-i-Noor diamond (still controversially part of the Crown Jewels), mini steam engine rides, and Charles Goodyear’s rubber tyre technology. Ransomes of @IpswichTown exhibited their "artificial stone" material, while Richard Garrett III’s visit inspired the development of Leiston’s Long Shop assembly line. The exhibition drew 6.2 million visitors in six months—a staggering number given Britain’s population of 27 million and the relatively new railway system. However, controversy surrounded the Palace. Built in Hyde Park, it faced local opposition, leading Parliament to order its removal by June 1852. To preserve it, the Brighton Railway Company bought, dismantled, and relocated it to Sydenham, Surrey (at the time).   The new Crystal Palace, much larger than the original, opened in June 1854 with 200 acres of parkland (now Crystal Palace Park). Today, you can run around its foundations at a Park Run each weekend. My boys did it during the summer. The Crystal Palace Company turned it into London’s premier attraction and used the parkland for sport. Archery and cricket were introduced first, with a cricket pitch laid in 1857. That same year, football was played on the grounds for the first time. By 1859, the company established the Crystal Palace Cricket Club, whose players formed a football team in 1861.   Like many others, these cricketers sought fitness during winter. They were nicknamed The Glaziers, referencing the Palace’s plate glass, and played in claret and blue. So, that’s the Palace and the team. What about the eagle? That’s a more recent invention. In 1936, tragedy struck—the Crystal Palace burned down, possibly due to an electrical fault. Strong winds spread the flames, and the Palace collapsed in cascading sheets of glass and flame. Fast forward to March 1973. New manager Malcolm Allison decided the club needed a reboot. Taking inspiration from Barcelona, he introduced red and blue stripes ( @FGRFC_Official copied Barcelona’s badge at the same time). The bird, initially imagined as a phoenix rising from the Palace’s ashes, became a bird of prey symbolising speed and aggression. The Glaziers became The Eagles. New plans for a stadium renovation look mighty impressive, with echoes of the original Crystal Palace architecture built in. So, a club that captures the best of British: imperial industry, collapse, and rebirth through the community organisation of the worker's entrusted with working in a theme park paying homage to the nation's former glory. If that isn’t British history in a nutshell, what is?

In 1967, Albert Lant and his mates formed a team and began playing friendly matches near Canvey Island's Concord Beach in Essex. Later that year, they made it official, calling themselves @ConcordRangers. Known as the "Beach Boys," their appearance split the island's footballing loyalties with the older Canvey Island FC. The club steadily grew, reaching the National League South in 2013, the sixth tier of English football. They won the Essex Senior Cup and achieved strong league finishes. Highlights include their first FA Cup first-round appearance in 2014 and reaching the FA Trophy final in 2020. Not bad for a group that began as a beachside kickabout. After a couple of recent relegations, Concord now competes in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division. They are a powerhouse in youth football, running 27 teams for players aged U7 to U18, both male and female. The club’s badge reflects Canvey Island’s unique history. Its waves represent the sea, while the crenellations at the top depict the island’s famous sea wall, a defence built to combat the flooding that has plagued Canvey for centuries. The 1953 North Sea Flood devastated the island, killing 58 people, mostly holidaymakers trapped in caravans. In the 17th century, Dutch engineers were invited to reclaim Canvey’s marshland and build dykes and sea walls under the guidance of Cornelius Vermuyden. Their expertise, honed in their homeland, helped make the island more habitable. Remnants of these 400-year-old defences can still be seen today. Dutch influence also lingers in local architecture and road names like "Zeeland Avenue." This Dutch connection was later reinforced by Frederick Hester, who sought to develop Canvey into a seaside resort in 1899. He built hotels, a promenade, and a "winter palace" for events, marketing the area as "Ye Old Dutch Island." Streets were given Dutch names, and free rail tickets lured Londoners. However, the project failed due to financial difficulties, and Southend-on-Sea soon emerged as the preferred getaway. For much of its history, Canvey thrived on oyster fishing, with the Thames Estuary providing ideal conditions. The island’s historic inn, the Lobster Smack, opened in the 17th century and became a hub for smuggling along the Thames. Its proximity to the water allowed ships to discreetly unload contraband, and tales of secret tunnels leading to St. Katherine’s Church abound. Charles Dickens even mentioned the Lobster Smack in 1880, referencing its reputation for smuggling. With Brexit reinstating tariffs and paperwork on imports, one wonders if smuggling will make a modern comeback—not just for illicit goods, but everyday items. During World War II, Canvey Island played a crucial defensive role. Encircled by 11 pillboxes and anti-aircraft batteries, it housed a Royal Navy base specialising in degaussing ships. This process, still used today, demagnetises hulls to protect against magnetic mines and torpedoes. In 1953, the island’s defensives were finally penetrated – but by something a bit more mysterious – The "Canvey Island Monster." A mysterious creature washed ashore, described as 76 cm (2.4 ft) long with reddish-brown skin, gills, and hind legs suited for walking. Though many believe it was a large anglerfish, the body was swiftly removed and cremated  - what were they hiding? Nothing. It was a fish. But in today’s world it would probably inspire an online anti-government cult of some sort. Today, Canvey’s economy is driven by a different sort of bulbous creature – LNG Gas Carriers. The island hosts a major gas terminal. Ships from the Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East regularly berth to supply Britain’s energy grid, keeping homes warm and lights on. Concord Rangers’ badge, with its dual symbols of waves and crenellations, represents Canvey Island’s double edged existence: The sea, long the island’s greatest threat, has also been its greatest opportunity. Will Concord Rangers, like the seas around them, continue to rise?

Second in a new series looking at the History of Sports Badges and what they can teach us! – this time, Ipswich’s cousins down the A12, Colchester United. #GetTheBadgeIn @ColU_Official Just down the road from Ipswich is Colchester United. Their ground, the JobServe Community Stadium, is a neat 10,000-seater right next to the A12, across from a BP garage with an excellent McDonald’s drive-through (I used to work opposite it…don’t judge me). However, this area was once far more romantic. Known then as Camulodunum (the city, not the drive-through), it served as the Roman capital of Britain. Founded by Emperor Claudius in AD 43 after his conquest of Britain, it became the administrative centre of Roman Britain. In Claudius’s honour, a massive "Temple of Claudius" was built, which today forms the foundations of Colchester Castle. The name Camulodunum means "Fort of the God of War"— Camulos  was the Celtic god of war, and dunum  meant “fort.” Over time, "chester" evolved from the Latin for “fort,” as seen in names like Chester, Manchester, Winchester, and even Leicester. As for the “Col” in Colchester, its origins are debated, with some linking it to Constantine's mother, Helena (also the namesake of Colchester’s St. Helena School), while others suggest a link to the legendary Old King Cole. There’s no definitive answer. So, what about the football crest? It’s a large shield with a golden Roman Eagle in the centre, with a blue and white stripped background. Colchester United adopted a badge featuring the Roman eagle on a staff in the 1970s and modernised it to the current design in 1994. This eagle, or aquila , is a fitting symbol for a town with such a strong Roman heritage. The Roman eagles were golden “standards” each legion carried into battle, symbols of honour and loyalty. Losing the eagle was a disgrace. According to Roman accounts, during the invasion of Britain, soldiers hesitated to disembark and face the fierce Britons, who had a reputation for roughness (and questionable hygiene). It was only when the soldier bearing the eagle waded ashore, leading the charge, that the rest of the legion piled in afterwards, guilt-tripped into protecting the Eagle. Colchester (fittingly called the "city of the God of War") is now a garrison town full of paratroopers and home to the ‘Glasshouse’ – the British Army’s military prison. I have fond memories of my university days in Colchester, waiting for taxis outside the Hippodrome nightclub, where the regular police left the "squaddies" well alone, knowing the red-capped Military Police would arrive to man handle the worse for wear soldiers into the back of a van. So, a military symbol for the football team seems appropriate, and a few years ago, Colchester United even had a green camouflage “Military” third shirt, which I was tempted to buy, despite not strictly being a U’s fan. In 2014, during renovations of the William and Griffen department store, builders uncovered the charred remains of several people who had perished in AD 60 when Queen Boudicca’s Iceni army attacked the town. Boudicca’s forces stormed the city, and the Romans barricaded themselves in a building along what is now the High Street. Boudicca’s army burned it, and them, to the ground. This detail, once thought to be partly myth, was confirmed by these remains, proving that the story is likely true. Boudicca didn’t mess around. What she would make of today’s Colchester United squad is uncertain.

@ChelseaFC , flying high in the Premier League this season, are next to grace the pitch at Portman Road. So, let's do them the honour and #GetTheBadgeIn.   Their first crest, adopted when the club was founded, featured a Chelsea Pensioner, symbolising the British Army veterans residing at the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea. This design, which inspired the club’s original nickname, “The Pensioners,” was used for 50 years but never appeared on the team’s shirts (most clubs didn't bother with a badge on their shirts at the time).   In 1952, manager Ted Drake sought to modernise the club and replaced the pensioner crest. In 1953, a new design was introduced: a blue lion holding an abbot's staff, adorned with red roses representing England and footballs. This crest, with some adaptations over the years, remains the badge used today.   Before we delve into its meaning, let’s salute the service of the pensioners who gave the team its first nickname:   The Chelsea Pensioners are British Army veterans residing at the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea, a historic institution founded in 1681 by King Charles II. The hospital building is another masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed St Paul’s Cathedral and rebuilt much of London after the Great Fire. The veterans themselves are instantly recognisable by their striking scarlet uniforms and tricorn hats (these should be brought back into the regular military - they are awesome). These Pensioners embody military tradition and British heritage and are often seen walking the local streets and are regular attendees at Chelsea’s games.   Returning to the current badge, the blue lion originates from the coat of arms for the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea. The arms include a crozier (bishop’s staff), a boar’s head, a stag’s head, and a lion. The lion, chosen for the badge, represents Earl Cadogan, the first mayor of Chelsea (why didn't they go for the boar!?).   The Cadogan family, with their noble heritage, still own much of Chelsea’s property through the Cadogan estate. Their ancestor, Sir Hans Sloane, was a renowned scientist and explorer who was President of the Royal Society (he was succeeded by some chap called Isaac Newton). He was a keen collector of scientific and cultural trinkets - he left over 71,000 items on his death that became the foundation for the British Library, The British Museum and the London Natural History Museum. His name remains prominent in landmarks like Sloane Square. However, most importantly, Hans is also credited with introducing chocolate milk to England - after seeing something like it on his travels in the Caribbean.   A sweet CV.   There is also a Suffolk link here, as the Chelsea squad make their way up the A12 they will come close to Culford Park, a mind-bogglingly impressive stately home near Bury St Edmunds - which was bought by the Cadogans in the 1800s. Today it is the home to Culford School, one of the most prestigious boarding schools in England.   Back to the badge: The badge’s lion holding a staff symbolises the Abbots of Westminster, who historically controlled Chelsea and collected rents to fund their monastic operations. As such, I feel it represents a shift in power in England. The lion, representing a family of property, science, and innovation, firmly holds the power of the church in its paws. Henry VIII would be proud.   What initially seemed like a simple badge reveals some of the best aspects of England’s past, a nod to the former power of the church, a lion that symbolises exploration, science and hot chocolate - and a club with a tradition of honouring veterans. Very noble indeed — though let’s hope they have a poor day out in Suffolk!

In the heart of Essex sits its county town of Chelmsford (@OfficialClarets). Despite its size, economic strength, outstanding schools, and cultural institutions, Chelmsford has long been overshadowed in football by its Essex neighbours, Colchester and Southend, and even rivals Braintree, who currently play a league above them. Situated within London’s commuter belt, Chelmsford faces the challenge of losing support to the allure of London’s football giants. Nevertheless, they are a popular second team for many and deserve a much higher place in the footballing pyramid. They currently sit 15th in the National League South. With Southend and Colchester struggling, the title of Essex’s footballing crown is up for grabs. Could Chelmsford City finally step out of the shadows and claim it? Unlike most clubs, which emerged from bored cricketers in winter, Chelmsford was founded in 1878 by the city’s ‘Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club,’ - very fancy. In 1938, they turned professional, and their inaugural FA Cup run saw them beat Southampton 4–1 before bowing out to Birmingham City. Chelmsford has been a consistent non-league contender, most famously participating in the Anglo-Italian Cup in the 1970s and 1980s, facing clubs like Cremonese and Bari. With non-league football gaining attention thanks to Ryan Reynold’s Wrexham and a lucrative DAZN deal, perhaps it’s time to bring back the Anglo-Italian Cup? An Easy Jet flight for the squad would probably be cheaper than a cross-country coach trip and I’m sure it would draw patriotic crowds. So, let’s #GetTheBadgeIn. The football club’s badge is based on the city’s old coat of arms. While an updated version was granted in 1975, the original from 1889 remains its foundation. At the top, the badge features a circle with a bishop’s staff (crosier) and crossed swords. The circle, originally a ring of oak leaves, symbolises the civic authority of Chelmsford’s role as Essex’s county town since 1218. The swords represent the Bishop of London, who in the 1100s rebuilt a Roman-era bridge over the River Can. This bridge was a significant step and is also the main focal point of the badge (complete with the waves of the river underneath). Nearly 600 years after the Romans left Britain, the Normans revived this vital trade route to East Anglia. The badge also symbolises Chelmsford’s role as a gateway from London to the East of England—a role it still plays today, as anyone stuck at the station during a signal failure can confirm! The two crossed crosiers represent the Bishop of London, who held the Manor of Chelmsford, and the Abbot of Westminster, who held the Manor of Moulsham. At this time, England’s churches and monasteries wielded enormous power, collectively controlling over 50% of the country’s land. Rents paid from Chelmsford and Moulsham funded these institutions, enabling the construction of England’s breathtaking churches and cathedrals (like Chelmsford’s own)— these medieval mega-projects sprouted from the land on the backs of the peasant farmers’ graft. The badge also tells the story of Henry VIII’s break with Rome. The two lions flanking the crosiers are symbols of the Mildmay family (who have three upright lions on their shield), who were granted Moulsham Manor after it was confiscated from the Church. Thomas Mildmay, a loyal servant of the Tudors was made ‘Auditor of the Court of Augmentations’, which was the fancy name for the group that oversaw the redistribution of Church lands. Having thought long and hard about the best way to do it, Mildmay conveniently awarded himself the manor. There’s an interesting parallel here with Hornchurch to the south, whose FC badge features red roses linked to William de Wykeham, another Tudor official involved in redistributing Church lands to themselves. Also, both Mildmay in Chelmsford and Wykeham in Hornchurch used their newfound wealth to establish colleges at Cambridge University—Wykeham founded New College, while Sir Walter Mildmay, Thomas’s son, founded Emmanuel College. The modern University team should play Chelmsford in a friendly each year for a ‘Mildmay Medal’… just a thought. So, there we have it. Initially, I thought this badge, which was largely tied to religious orders, would make for a boring story. Instead, what you have is one that showcases the importance of trade to the nation (and infrastructure to facilitate it) and the transfer of power from Church to State. There could be little more English than this. Back in the 1970s, when non-league teams were sent to Italy to compete, sending Chelmsford, who’s badge tells the story of the seizure of Rome’s authority, could hardly have been more fitting. Let’s send them again. #ClaretsTogether #ManyMindsOneHeart

For our next #GetTheBadgeIn, we turn to another third-round FA Cup participant, @bromleyfc. On the 11th of January, this League Two team will travel north to take on Newcastle (@NUFC) at St James' Park. Not a bad away day!   So, let’s look more closely at Bromley. There’s a lot going on in this badge.   Firstly, Bromley is in South London—but only since 1965. Before that, it was part of Kent, and many people still call it Kent today. Their nickname is the Ravens, for fairly obvious reasons: they play in black and white, and there are three ravens across the middle of the badge. But why?   Note that the ravens are placed inside a wavy, river-esque line across the shield. They represent the River Ravensbourne, which flows through Bromley and into the Thames. It begins at Caesar’s Well—a natural spring with its own legend. Roman soldiers, searching for water, reportedly noticed a raven frequently visiting the same spot. Investigating further, they uncovered the spring, which remains there to this day and is still called Caesar’s Well.   The sun in the top-right quadrant symbolises the Manor of Sundridge, a nearby estate purchased by Sir Claude Scott in 1796. Scott made his fortune in grain imports and multiplied it further by investing in the East India Company—the Bitcoin of its time.   The shell in the bottom-right quadrant comes from the See of Rochester, which once held religious authority over the area. Saxon King Æthelberht, after becoming a Christian, established dioceses across his lands. The See of Rochester, which included Bromley, was the second diocese created, after Canterbury. Bromley itself became a site of pilgrimage after the construction of St Blaise’s Well, whose iron-rich waters were said to have healing properties. People travelled from far and wide to pray there and partake of the waters.   Interestingly, after the Norman Conquest, the area was seized by Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror and the man who commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry. However, he eventually returned the land to the diocese, which was a rare concession—Normans didn’t tend to take many prisoners during their invasion.   The sprigs of broom (those corn-like features) are a nod to Bromley’s name, which derives from Old English for “a field where broom grows.” Broom is a type of wildflower.   The horse, which looks a bit like the Ferrari logo, actually comes from the white horse of Kent. Despite Bromley now being a London borough, the badge still harks back to its Kentish roots.   Bromley was also home to Charles Darwin, who formulated his theory of evolution and wrote On the Origin of Species while living there. It feels like the club is missing a trick by not making the three ravens part of an evolutionary chain. Oh well.   Bromley then—the Ravens—the sons of Roman legionaries, iron-rich pilgrims, successful grain merchants, and the authors of world-shaping theories. They’ve got more than enough about them to beat Newcastle. Come on, you Ravens!

The Black Arabs, The Poachers, The Pirates, The Gas… @IpswichTown  #FACUP opponents are @Official_BRFC They have an iconic badge and a great history. We also share a love of Marcus Stewart, a hero at both clubs. Let’s #GetTheBadgeIn for tomorrow’s visitors to Portman Road.   Let’s start with the nickname, The Black Arabs. When the club was founded in 1883 by five schoolteachers, they named themselves after a local rugby team, the Arabs. Wearing black kits with a yellow stripe, they became the Black Arabs.   Later, they renamed themselves Eastville Rovers after their area of the city. Playing on Purdown Hill, they gained the unflattering nickname "Purdown Poachers" for allegedly stealing players from rival clubs.   So, where does the pirate on their badge come from? Bristol’s port played a significant role in British history, launching both adventures and atrocities. (It was in Bristol that protesters famously threw Edward Colston’s statue into the harbour.) Much of the city’s wealth came from the Empire, through goods, maritime services, and slavery. Its high standards gave rise to the phrase “shipshape and Bristol fashion.” With the port’s massive tidal range, ships would rest on the muddy seabed when the tide was out. To survive this, they had to meet the strictest standards.   But why a pirate, and not just a sailor or anchor?   Bristol was home to many pirates, especially in the Elizabethan era. Early English "privateers" were state-backed insurgents who attacked enemy ships for plunder. Bristol’s port and skilled shipbuilders made it a prime base for these ventures, and streets brimmed with wealth when privateers returned to spend their riches.   Edward Teach, aka "Blackbeard," was a Bristol local who later moved to the Caribbean and became a notorious pirate. Another famous privateer, Peter Easton, attacked Spanish gold ships under Elizabeth I but later turned full pirate when peace was made under James I. He set up a base in Newfoundland, commanded a sizeable fleet, and retired wealthy in Italy under the protection of the Duke of Savoy.   Then there’s Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel, which became a pirate haven in the 1600s. Most famously, it was controlled by Moroccan "Barbary" pirates for five years, who preyed on Bristol-bound ships and even captured locals for slavery. While this was on a small scale compared to the transatlantic slave trade, it may explain the origins of the Arab nickname.   Ok, pirates, Arabs, empire… that all tracks.   But why are they now called The Gas? Their Eastville Stadium was next to Stapleton Gas Works, whose smell earned them the taunt "Gasheads" from visiting fans. The name stuck, and Rovers fans embraced it. Eastville was also notable for a greyhound track around the pitch. In 1939, Rovers sold the ground to the Bristol Greyhound Company, leasing it back to stay afloat. It later hosted the Bristol Bulldogs Speedway team and the Bristol Bombers American Football team.   In another strange twist of history the club today is owned by an Arab with very different intentions to the ones seem before. Kuwaiti investor Hussain AlSaeed now owns the club and has been channeling in money to upgrade facilities and keep the team afloat - in Bristol fashion.   Let’s welcome the Gasheads to Portman Road on Sunday.

The Seagulls are playing the Tractor Boys this evening. The last time the two met, back in September, they played out a goalless draw, and Ipswich picked up their second point of the season. Brighton and Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) have a very straightforward badge – but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye, along with a great backstory. So, let's do the South Coasters the honour and #GetTheBadgeIn.   Let's get straight to the point – why a Seagull? Clearly, there are a lot of seagulls in Brighton, but it actually derived from their long-standing rivalry with Crystal Palace. Playing them in the '70s, the Palace fans would chant ‘Eagles’. In response, and perhaps in jest, the Brighton fans began chanting back ‘Seagulls’. The name stuck, and a few years later, it made it to the badge.   That rivalry itself is worth looking at, as it's probably one of the strangest in football: Known as the "M23 derby," it originated in the mid-1970s, fueled by a series of intense matches, including five in one season, and the personal competition between managers Terry Venables of Crystal Palace and Alan Mullery of Brighton. The conflict between the two sets of fans was so fierce that the animosity has stuck and become entrenched as part of both clubs’ identities.   Prior to this, the team had actually tried to adopt a more fan-friendly nickname, and ‘The Dolphins’ was adopted after a fan poll – but it never really clicked.   So that’s the badge and the club. Let's look a little closer at the legacy of the towns they represent (both of them – Brighton and Hove, which are now basically just one giant urban blob, with the same council).   Firstly, Brighton’s real beef should be with the French, not Palace fans. In 1514, French raiders burnt much of Brighton (then known as Brighthelmstone) to the ground and the place had to be more or less rebuilt from scratch.   In 1651, Brighton again was at the forefront of international relations when, during the English Civil War, Charles II, having just seen his father's head get chopped off, escaped to the port and caught a boat to France for safety. This event is still commemorated every year with the ‘Royal Escape Yacht Race’ that starts in Brighton and ends in Fécamp, France.   But it was in the 18th and 19th centuries that Brighton really took off. Like many seaside resorts (think: Southend, Felixstowe, etc.), the arrival of the railway opened up the town to wealthy day-trippers from London. Brighton’s tourism boom was also helped, in part, by the belief, like in Bournemouth, that the local waters were good for health. An industry in health spas blossomed to cater to the mental and physical health of the prim and proper (and people complain today about people being woke... try a health retreat in Brighton in the 19th century, proper quack stuff going on).   Brighton became the favoured health retreat of the Royals, beginning with King George IV, who loved parties, women, and palaces – and accordingly commissioned Brighton’s famous Royal Pavilion as his holiday home (although it was under Queen Victoria that it was refurbished to include the beautiful oriental style frontage of pillars and domes).   During the First World War, the Royal Pavilion was transformed into an army hospital for Indian soldiers from the Commonwealth who were serving on the Western Front. Almost 140,000 Indians served in the trenches alongside the Brits during the First World War – their sacrifices are today honoured by The Chattri war memorial in Brighton.   Throughout the twentieth century, Brighton shifted away from tourism and more towards academics, hosting two large universities. Hundreds of thousands of students, added to Brighton’s existing industry of health resorts, created a climate with a lot of long-haired people pushing the boundaries of society  . As such, the local politics of the town have reflected this. There is a famously large LGBT community in Brighton, and since 2010, it has been home to Britain’s only Green MP, Caroline Lucas (despite the Greens actually receiving millions of votes, the voting system keeps them shut out in most places across the country, so it is nice that they at least get one voice in Parliament).             The seagulls come to Town today representing a history of seaside squabbles, sumptuous spas and sacrificing Sikhs. Let’s welcome them to Town while politely hoping they leave empty handed. Uppa Towen.

Braintree Town FC Next up in the History of Sports Badges and what they can teach us – is Essex National League team, Braintree Town FC . #GetTheBadgeIn @braintreetownfc , @BraintreeTownSS , @TheIronChat With the Vanarama National League now being covered by DAZN this has allowed me to watch a lot more NL than I ever had previously. I have a soft spot for Forest Green Rovers (I like Dale Vince, the owner) and I also have half an eye on Barnet (great badge – but also their keeper, Nick Hayes, is an Ipswich academy product). So ,it was a few days ago that I began watching some Braintree Town FC games, thinking that they’re about as local a National League team as there is to Ipswich. I also really like their third strip with the badge printed in large in the background. That’s a belter. I was even more interested when I saw their nickname was The Iron. Maybe a true rival to those ‘orrible hammers down the A12. I also enjoy their stadium sponsor name – the Rare Breed Meat Co Stadium. Now that’s a name. A bit more digging and I stumbled across a really interesting story, and sadly one that is set in Britian’s long-lost industrial past. The club began as a company team, Manor Works FC on 24 September 1898, serving as the works team for the Crittall Window Company, a firm known for its pioneering steel-framed windows. The nickname “Iron” stems from this connection, as Crittall was a major player in the iron and steel industry, even supplying windows for renowned buildings like the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, as well as the famous RMS Titanic. During both World Wars, Crittall factories shifted production to support the war effort. Women workers made munitions and crucial war supplies, including Bailey bridges, wing spars for planes and windows for military buildings. I wonder if there is a war memorial anywhere for the efforts of both the women - and many of the men/club's players who undoubtedly served? The badge of Braintree Town FC reflects this heritage. Designed in 1987 by Paul Claydon and Jon Weaver, the crest captures elements of the Crittall legacy. The centrepiece is an image of a factory, modelled after the Crittall Garage that once overlooked the club’s Cressing Road ground. This garage’s distinctive roof design is echoed in the badge, along with a factory chimney on one side and a floodlight pylon on the other, symbolising both the club's industrial heritage and its football ambitions. Between the chimney and floodlight hovers a football. Even though Braintree Town FC no longer maintains a formal link with Crittall Windows, Braintree Town FC’s badge and nickname serve as enduring reminders of a time when sport and industry were closely intertwined, and they continue to connect the club to its unique past as “The Iron” of Essex.

Time to take a look, then, at the Pilgrims—not the Wayne Rooney’d hair plug Pilgrims, but the OG Pilgrims: Boston United @bostonunited. They currently sit in the relegation zone of the National League and play host to table-toppers @FGRFC_Official at the weekend. However, as their history shows us, Boston can punch above their weight in more ways than one. So, let’s #GetTheBadgeIn.   Team-wise, they’ve mostly floated around the higher echelons of non-league football, with a 2002 appearance in League Two. They’ve had some great moments—most notably in 1955, when they beat Derby 6–1, and later achieved an unbeaten streak of 64 games, lasting two and a half years. They appointed Paul Hurst as joint manager in 2010, and he got them into the Conference North. Paul Hurst has a cracking record at this level and above—just not so much in the Championship...   Boston United stayed at this level until last year’s playoff final against Brackley Town, where they secured a 2–1 comeback victory to return to the National League after 14 years. This capped an incredible playoff run, with penalty shootout wins over Alfreton Town and Scunthorpe United.   So that’s the club. Let’s look a bit at Boston’s backstory before we get to the badge and the iconic name.   The land that is currently Boston was owned by the superbly named Ralph the Staller before the Norman invasion of 1066. Probably a handy guy to have around to block a solar farm or see out the game in extra time. Although, in reality, it just meant he literally looked after the King’s stall and was therefore a close advisor in the Royal Court.   Its strategic location, where freshwater rivers met tidewaters, made it an important port. It joined the Hanseatic League, just like Ipswich, benefiting from free and low-regulation trade with Europe. When King John levied a 7% tax on all ports in 1204, Boston returned the highest amount after London. Like Ipswich, it was a gateway for English wool: Ipswich took East Anglian wool; Boston took it from Lincolnshire/Yorkshire.   All was going well until Boston suffered its own "Hansexit" by arguing with foreign merchants and quitting the group. They timed this quarrel with the Haven silting. Trade collapsed, and the town shrunk. So, they quit a trading bloc, suffered a natural calamity, and endured an economic collapse. Who says history doesn’t repeat itself?   One successful industry that survived was fowling—hunting ducks and geese in the fens for meat and feathers. The Fogarty bedding company formed on the back of this trade, making luxury pillows and quilts known worldwide. Sadly, they closed in 2018, with Dunelm taking the brand name and manufacturing elsewhere.   Right then, now to the Pilgrim bit and that ship.   After Henry VIII’s break from Catholicism, there was debate about the direction of the new Church of England. In Boston, Lincolnshire, many favoured radical Puritan reforms, clashing with royal decrees. Many migrated to the Netherlands, and from there, in the early 1600s, to the Americas. Boston’s harbour acted as an exit point for Puritans across the Midlands seeking freedom of worship. Faith joined feathers in Boston's exports.   Among these reformers was John Cotton, a Puritan vicar at St Botolph’s Church, nicknamed "The Stump" because of its squat tower visible for miles - and also where the name Boston originated. A respected theologian from Cambridge, Cotton advocated for simpler worship practices and grew his congregation significantly, making him difficult to remove. However, after 20 years, he was forced out and fled to New England in 1633, joining Puritans who emigrated earlier, including those aboard the Mayflower.   In Massachusetts, Cotton became the first "Teacher" of Boston’s First Church. The city had already been named after Boston, Lincolnshire, by John Winthrop and others who shared ties to the English town. Cotton settled in the New World, and his grandson, Cotton Mather, became a key figure in American religious history.   So that’s Boston: Duties, Ducks, and Deacons; Feathers, Faith, and Football. For a small town, these guys have punched way above their weight.   Something Boston United FC need to relearn if they are to retain their National League status.

With all the excitement of the FA Cup at the weekend, it jogged memories of @BOREHAM_WOODFC's incredible cup run in 2020/21, which saw this National League South (and soon to be National League thanks to their 2025 promotion) outfit defeat @AFCWimbledon  and Premier League's @afcbournemouth before falling to @Everton in the last 16.   So, let's belatedly do them the honour, and #GetTheBadgeIn for @BOREHAM_WOODFC The team started in 1948 as a merger between Boreham Wood Rovers (formed 1919) and the fantastically named Royal Retournez FC. The two teams played next to each other, with the Royal's pitch jutting out from the Rovers' one. The Royals were a new team, formed by returning service personnel after the Second World War.   There was a bit of drama when rumours began to spread that the Royals were going to change their name to Boreham Wood FC and thereby become the de facto team of the town. Rovers, who felt they had more right to the name, called an emergency meeting of the two clubs.   A compromise was made – they'd both have the name – under one roof. The two teams merged, and Boreham Wood got its team.   Boreham, sitting today firmly in Hertfordshire's London commuter belt, doesn't have the most glamorous of starts. The first written record of the area in 1188 is the Pope (who owned large tracts of English land through the Church) gifting the wood at Boreham to the kitchens of the Abbey (presumably St Albans?) as a place to "feed their swine".   That said, its fortunes have improved in recent years. The railway arrived in 1868, connecting it to London and the Midlands, making it an attractive place to manufacture and later to live.   After the Second World War, its location was seen as the perfect place for the construction of council homes to rehouse those from London whose homes had been lost in the Blitz, and then later as part of the post-war slum clearances. The population grew rapidly, and it became a desirable location for London professionals.   But the real magic of Boreham Wood began further back, before the original Rovers team was made – in 1914. This is when the Neptune Film Company opened a studio. Drawn by the relative space of the area, combined with proximity to London, it became the perfect place for film studios to open up. And open they did. Many studios have operated from what are collectively known as the Elstree Studios (Elstree is the village next door, but most of the studios have been within Boreham Wood itself). It is sometimes known as the British Hollywood. You name it – it has probably been made in Boreham Wood.   Hitchcock, Kubrick, Lucas, Spielberg – to name a few who have worked there.   The Dambusters, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Where Eagles Dare, The Shining, Star Wars and Indiana Jones – to name a few of the movies.   And it might be easier to mention which British TV classics weren't made there, but to sample a few that were: EastEnders, Morecambe and Wise, The Muppets, Top of the Pops, Grange Hill, 'Allo 'Allo, Holby City.   Borehamwood quietly became the beating heart of British culture during the latter half of the 20th century.   And so that brings us more or less up to date. The football team currently sit 3rd in National League South. They develop not just movie stars but also football ones. Boreham Wood's academy has become a notable hotbed of footballing talent, repeatedly winning accolades for its work with youngsters on and off the pitch.   It is quite a history. From swine to the silver screen. Few towns have a bigger claim to embody the heart and soul of modern Britishness. I just wonder if the badge couldn't have encapsulated some of this heritage. Make the round badge a film reel? Feature the comedy and crying masks of drama? Heck – Star Wars was filmed there – have some crossed lightsabers! Do something with this remarkable heritage.   While that debate could go on, they have a fine team with a fine history, who every Saturday, look to put the town on the map for exploits on the pitch, not just at the pictures.