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Staying in East Anglia, we look this time at @AFCSudbury for a tale of trade, migration, bishops, and painters – as we #GetTheBadgeIn for AFC Sudbury. AFC Sudbury are on a roll, having had a cracker of a weekend, putting 3 past Stratford Town without reply in their Premier Division Central match. Football in Sudbury was long dominated by two teams: Sudbury Town (managed by Charlie Hurt, father of Geoff Hurt) and Sudbury Wanderers. They merged in 1999 to form AFC (Amalgamated Football Club) Sudbury and now play in the 7th tier of English football. Promotion would see them move up to National League North, with hopes of eventually reaching the National League (formerly the ‘Conference’). The club's badge, adapted from the Sudbury Town coat of arms, reveals much about the area’s history. The red shield features two French fleur-de-lys and a lion, symbolising the town's royal status. Since William the Conqueror, Sudbury has been important to the monarchy, largely due to the wealth from its market, established in 1009, at the heart of East Anglia’s wool trade. Wool, once England’s most valuable export, funded Sudbury’s grand churches. Its significance led to part of the River Stour being diverted to give the town additional protection. In 1352 Edward III invited skilled Flemish weavers to Sudbury, boosting the economy further. The original ‘woolsack’ in the House of Lords (essentially a big red beanbag) was made with Sudbury wool, acknowledging its importance. The badge's standout icon is the Talbot dog, related to bloodhounds it was brought to England by William the Conqueror, but it is now an extinct breed. The Talbot features on Sudbury’s crest via the Theobald family, a powerful local cloth-trading dynasty. Simon Theobald (Simon of Sudbury), born in 1318, became Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor (basically second in command of the country, after the King). He used his wealth to build a college for priests in Sudbury. His Coat of Arms – the Talbot dog with its tongue sticking out – is carved into the walls of Canterbury Cathedral too. In 1381, Simon’s support for Richard II’s Poll Tax—funding the Hundred Years’ War—sparked the Peasants’ Revolt. Angry mobs stormed London, burning noble homes and targeting Simon, who had taken refuge in the Tower of London. Betrayed by guards, Simon was dragged out and decapitated, his head displayed on London Bridge. It now rests in St Gregory’s Church in Sudbury, attracting ghost hunters who claim to have seen him roaming the grounds. Sudbury was also the hometown for painter Thomas Gainsborough, who in turn inspired the other famous Painter from the Stour Valley, John Constable. During the Second World War the town also became home to the 486th US Air Force Bomber Group. So then, a royal possession, a powerhouse of the medieval economy, home to Europe’s best weavers and the haunting ground of a ‘properly headless Simon’ – not a bad legacy for a badge.

National League South side @AveleyFC are in the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. This town in Thurrock sits right on the Essex/London border and boasts a fascinating badge with plenty of history. So, let's take a closer look at @AveleyFC and #GetTheBadgeIn. The first thing you notice is, of course, the giant seven-headed griffin. Then you spot the windmill and their nickname – The Millers. Beneath that are the familiar three blades of Essex, as seen on the county badge and also on the Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) crest. As I’m sure we all know by now, the Essex blades represent the three seaxes (swords) of the Kingdom of the East Saxons (e.g., Essex). Simple. The Windmill: Essex was renowned for its windmills during the medieval and early modern periods. It was said you couldn’t go three miles without seeing another one. Windmills were essential for grinding grain into flour, and I assume that demand from the London and European markets contributed to their high numbers in Essex. A 1768 map of South Essex records 112 windmills. You have to wonder how much medieval Jeremy Clarkson kicked up a stink about them... but I digress. Aveley was home to one of the earliest windmills in Essex, built around 1645 by the Barrett family, who also owned the beautiful Tudor mansion at nearby Belhus. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have stayed there. Unfortunately, during World War II, soldiers billeted at the mansion caused so much damage that the family chose to have it demolished rather than repaired. Today, the site is a golf course, and the mansion's foundations can still be seen near the 10th hole. The seven-headed griffin originates from the Barrett family coat of arms, which features a seven-headed hydra. It’s unclear why this changed to a griffin for the football crest, but it remains a striking emblem. The Barretts of Aveley were a mixed bag. Two served as MPs – one in the 1600s and another in the 1800s. Another member of the family emigrated to Western Australia in the 1800s, becoming a prominent landowner. In fact, there’s now a town called “Aveley” in the same region of Australia. Perhaps the most exciting thing about Aveley is what was discovered there in 1964. A local man stumbled across what he thought were bones. The Natural History Museum was called in, and an excavation began. What they unearthed was the most complete woolly mammoth ever found in the UK, along with the remains of a jungle cat, elephant, lion, bear, wolf, rhinoceroses, bats, and terrapins. These fossils date back 200,000–250,000 years. Legend has it that the mammoth was found wearing an Aveley FC bobble hat. A town of prehistoric wonders, Tudor aristocrats, and famous windmills. The Millers continue to grind out results on the pitch. They currently play at Parkside in Aveley, ground-sharing with Hashtag United. Unity and Progress. As their badge says.

The mighty @NewportCounty. This crest looks simple but explodes with history the second you touch it - and even more amazingly for me - Ipswich's own Thomas Wolsey features predominantly in the tale. Though it might not be in a way that the Exiles are thrilled about. So, let's #GetTheBadgeIn and take a closer look under the hood. -- The main feature of their badge is the golden shield with the downward-facing black chevron. This is the shield of the Duke of Buckingham, and it features on Newport City's Coat of Arms too—a more stylised version is used by Newport City FC, who play in the Welsh Leagues @NewportCity_FC. The Buckinghams were a curious family who had three main generations: Humphrey, Henry and then another Henry. Each of whom feature in important parts of English history: The 100 years War, The Wars of Roses and Henry VIII's court - they were there at the centre of all of them. The first one, Humphrey (Stafford) was the 1st Duke of Buckingham. He fought alongside Henry V in France during the Hundred Years' War. He was there when the English captured that troublesome French tart, Joan of Arc. Rumour has it he was so overcome with rage during her interrogation, that he had to be restrained from stabbing her there and then. The link to Newport begins when he got home. For his loyalty Humphrey was awarded lands in Wales—including Newport. At the time it had a somewhat out-of-shape castle. He tried to patch it up a bit but ultimately ran out of time. He was killed fighting at the Battle of Northampton, one of the early battles in the Wars of the Roses. He died protecting Henry VI, the young son of Henry V. Humphrey's own son, Henry, took over the family business as Duke of Buckingham but took it in a totally different direction. He switched sides and supported the Yorkist Richard III. He was seen as so loyal that he even became a prime suspect in the murder of the famous "Princes in the Tower" (the two boys that Richard III was supposed to be babysitting the throne for—but who then mysteriously vanished...). Either way, Henry eventually had a change of heart (maybe he remembered which b*stards had killed his dad) and rebelled against Richard III. He was captured and executed for his troubles. His son, also a Henry, was recognised and endorsed by the (Lancastrian) Tudors. He became a close ally, even holding the crown for King Henry VIII (yes, THE Henry VIII) during the coronation ceremony. However, working alongside common Ipswich lad Thomas Wolsey at court was a bit too much for this noble. The two argued, and eventually, Wolsey dug up some dirt (real or imagined) and convinced the King to have the Duke executed for treason. Commoners 1, Nobles 0. What about those dates then, 1912 - 1989? These are the birth and "death" years of the original Newport County, which went bust in 1989. Known as the "Ironsides," the original team was formed by Wolverhampton steel workers who had been offered an ultimatum from their bosses: move to the new Orb Ironworks they'd just built at Newport or find another job. Many of the workers moved, and true to their roots, named the streets after their hometowns—Dudley, Telford, and Walsall. Google it, those streets still exist in the middle of Newport. For years afterward, the local Wolverhampton paper was even sold in Newport corner shops. So when these men from the Midlands came to set up a team, there was only one choice of shirt—orange and black, just like their hometown heroes - Wolves. After Newport’s original club folded in 89, die-hard supporters brought it back to life as Newport County AFC. However, a new hurdle popped up—the council wouldn’t let the new team play at their old stadium! This left Newport County playing "home" games 85 miles away in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, where many away matches were actually closer than home. Then, in 1991, a new chapter of trouble began. The Welsh FA, eager to launch a "League of Wales," tried to rope Newport County in. When Newport opted for English leagues instead, the Welsh FA banned them from playing in Wales. Newport, exiled again, found themselves back in England, earning the nickname "The Exiles"—stylishly written in lowercase, just for extra rebel flair on their current badge. So, what looks like a simple crest is packed with history. Noble knights hacking chunks out of the French, civil war skulduggery, industrial migration stories, and overbearing bureaucracy. The story of the badge isn't an easy one. But it's a proud one. The Exiles have survived it all.

Stowmarket Town FC (@stowtownfc) has been around since 1883. There have been roughly 5 generations since Stowmarket were formed. Your great, great, great grandad was cheering them on (playing for them?). The history in these county teams gives me chills. So, let’s do Stowmarket the honour, and #GetTheBadgeIn. Let’s start with the three crowns: I’m starting to get the hang of this game now – and I’ve seen them before... These are the sign of the Abbey of St Osyth (that little place down near Clacton in Essex). Back in the Middle Ages the Abbey there was one of the biggest and most important in the country, it owned lands far and wide, including Stowmarket (and reaped in handsome rents and profits from them). They also owned Brentwood, check out the @BrentwoodTownFC badge – you’ll see them there too – Stowmarket and Brentwood are monastic cousins. St Osyth’s story is a brilliant one: The daughter of a Saxon king (possibly Redwald’s – the feller buried at Sutton Hoo), she fled an arranged marriage to become a nun. Her understanding would-be husband gifted her land for an abbey. Later, Vikings demanded she renounce Christianity. She refused, so they beheaded her. Here’s the best bit: Osyth supposedly picked up her severed head, tucked it under her arm, and walked back to the abbey. Legend says her headless ghost still appears today. Next, Stowmarket’s crest features an impressive hat. I couldn’t find details and have asked @FoodMuseumUK (formerly the Museum of East Anglian Life). If you know more, let me know! The yellow and blue background again leaves me a bit puzzled, but I am going to guess this is the same as the Ukrainian flag which represents their rolling flat fields of corn and open blue skylines… sounds a bit like East Anglia, right? I could be wrong, but I’d like to think that every time Stowmarket pull on their shirts, they are subconsciously sticking two fingers up at Putin. So that’s the badge. Aside from that, Stowmarket has an incredible history. The evidence suggests it was home to a Roman Legion, with 3000 soldiers based there to keep an eye on the locals after Boudicca’s rebellion. 600 or so years later it fulfilled a similar role for the Normans, who built a Motte and Bailey Castle at Haughley. Again, as a sort of Forward Operating Base to keep an eye on the unruly locals (what is with Stowmarket that makes occupiers want to station troops next to it?). In the medieval period, the town developed as a market centre, hence the name. But significant growth began in 1793 with the canalisation (widening and deepening) of the river Gipping to Ipswich Port, opening Stowmarket’s exports to the world. Initially a centre for malt production, Stowmarket became a hub for chemical and paint manufacturing after the railway arrived in 1846. Tragedy struck in 1871 as the guncotton works exploded, killing 26 people. It’s industrial might made it a target for Zepplin’s in the First World War and Luftwaffe bombers in the second. On 31st January 1941 they scored a direct hit on Stowmarket Congregational Church, completely destroying it, and killing a lady who had just dropped her family off at the rail station and was walking home. Bastards. Hopefully when bombing Dresden the RAF chalked this ladies name on one of the bombs. The club itself represents a coming together of Stowmarket’s Christian and Industrial heritages – the club was formed by a merger of the St Peter’s Church team and the Stowmarket Ironworkers team. In the early days it played in leagues with many local military teams who liked to play in their hobnail boots to cause extra injuries to the civilian teams they were playing. Nice. The team made good use of the railways to reach their away fixtures and on one occasion travelled by barge down the Gipping. Today the town can boast a bit of a Renaissance in culture: The Robert Peel Centre (after the DJ who lived locally), the Regal Cinema (fantastic independent cinema) and the Food Museum (recently boosted with lottery money). Stowmarket then: From occupying armies to making ordnance for the army, from monasteries to malt – Stowmarket has always attracted attention.

was founded on 5 September 1882 by a group of school boys, led by 13-year-old Bobby Buckle. The club was initially an extension of the Hotspur Cricket Club, providing a sport for boys in the winter months. It cost 6 pence to join. In 1889 the club began playing at a field beside the White Hart pub, where players would get changed and a have a drink after the game (Bobby would have been 19 by now...) The club’s name, "Hotspur," was inspired by Sir Henry Percy, or “Harry Hotspur,” a 14th-century knight known for his fearless and impulsive nature. Percy was the eldest son of Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, and his family had a long history of land ownership in parts of North London, including areas around Tottenham. The Earls of Northumberland appear to be name-checked in the Domesday Book in the Tottenham area. This legacy continues today through Percy House, a building in Tottenham now home to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, built in the early 1740s by Sir Hugh Smithson, who inherited the Percy estates. Harry Hotspur earned his nickname from his habit of using spurs to drive his horse forward into battle. Known for his military exploits, he led forces against the Scots in border skirmishes and fought in the Hundred Years’ War against France. He ultimately died at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, after rebelling against King Henry IV. When he wasn't fighting, he liked to unwind by watching cockfighting, where yet more spurs were involved—the birds were fitted with them before the fight. As Tottenham Hotspur Football Club grew, the club adopted the cockerel as its emblem. In 1909, former player William James Scott commissioned a bronze cockerel standing on a football, which was installed atop the West Stand, symbolising the club’s fighting spirit. This cockerel became iconic, appearing on team kits and in the club’s official crest. On top of that, a famous “Cockerel Clock” stood outside the stadium for most of the 20th century, serving as a well-known landmark for fans. Recently, it was refurbished and remounted on a lamp post at the exact spot where Bobby Buckle and his friends are said to have founded the club in 1882. Tottenham did, a bit bizarrely, switch to a very different crest between 1997 and 1999. This badge featured seven trees, representing the famous Seven Sisters, a story about a woodland near Tottenham marked by seven elms encircling an ancient walnut tree. The crest also depicted Bruce Castle, a 16th-century manor house located nearby, built on land once owned by the family of Robert the Bruce, the Scottish freedom fighter. Surprisingly, the Bruce family were significant landowners in the area long before the battles for Scottish independence, which doesn't seem very “Scottish.” You never looked at William Wallace and wondered about his London property portfolio. As the area around Tottenham developed during the Industrial Revolution, it became home to a Jewish community. From the early 20th century, Eastern European Jews fleeing persecution settled in Tottenham. Jewish-owned businesses such as Lebus Furniture, Gestetner duplicating machines, Eagle Pencil (later Berol), and Flateau Shoes became local employers. For many Jewish immigrants and their descendants, supporting Tottenham Hotspur became a way of integrating into British society and building a sense of belonging. Football historian Anthony Clavane describes this process, noting that football created “a space where ethnic identity has connected, even become intertwined, with national identity.” While Tottenham has produced or attracted many famous players—including Gary Lineker, Gareth Bale, and Harry Kane—perhaps the most remarkable and pioneering was Walter Tull. A mixed-race player in an era of deep-rooted discrimination, Tull joined Spurs in 1909. He was one of the first Black professional footballers in England. But, when the war came, he answered the call and left football to join the British Army. His leadership and courage saw him promoted up from the ranks, becoming the first Black officer in the British Army to lead white troops into battle. Tull was tragically killed in action in 1918 while leading his men across no man’s land. Today, a statue outside his former home in Tottenham honours his life and legacy. Medieval knights, entrepreneurial schoolboys, migrants fleeing persecution, and the whistle of machine gun bullets in Flanders. Tottenham can tell quite a story, considering the badge is "just" a bird on a ball. But, I guess, maybe I'm just used to budgies.

#LestWeForget In honour of #RemembranceDay2024, let's move away from sports badges and look at the cap badge of The #RoyalAnglian Regiment, @RAnglians. They are the modern incarnation of many historic East county regiments, including the Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire regiments. So, let's #GetTheBadgeIn: their cap badge features a three-towered castle and a key. But where is the three-towered castle and giant key in East Anglia? Well, there isn't one. The story is better than that. The castle and key are found on the coat of arms of Gibraltar. Isabella of Castille, Queen of Spain, awarded the crest to Gibraltar after the defeat of the (Muslim) Moors in 1501 - Gibraltar was the defence, and the key, to Spain. However, before the Trump supporters among us rush to interpret this as an icon about defending Europe from Islam, it's worth noting that the key symbol for Gibraltar was first introduced by Tariq ibn Ziyad, the commander of the Umayyad forces who crossed from North Africa into Spain in 711 AD. In fact, Gibraltar means "Mountain of Tariq" in Arabic. But back to the Royal Anglians and their actions at the Siege of Gibraltar. The three-and-a-half-year siege saw France and Spain try to oust Britain from Gibraltar in 1779, claiming it was to help their American allies, but it was more blantant opportunism. That said, next time you meet an American, remind them that if was not for the men of East Anglia being tied up defending Gibraltar... Well, let's just say the musical Hamilton would have ended very differently. But, back to the siege: In November 1781, sensing an impending assault, the British (and some Hanoverians - e.g. German mercenaries) launched a bold night sortie, destroying Spanish forward batteries and delaying their plans by a year. In September 1782, a massive Franco-Spanish force made a final push with 60,000 troops, 49 warships, and specially built floating batteries. The British not only held firm but counterattacked, boarding and destroying the batteries—scenes of explosions and smoke visible for miles. The sheer aggression of this act, boarding one platform after another, just scrambles my mind everytime I read about it. When Spain abandoned the siege in early 1783, the East England regiments earned the right to bear the Gibraltar badge. The Suffolk Regiment's HQ in Bury St Edmunds was also named Gibraltar Barracks, now home to the Suffolk Regiment Museum. Since then, the Royal Anglians have served with distinction down the centuries. During the Napoleonic Wars, the East Essex Regiment captured a French Imperial eagle at Salamanca, an honour reflected today in the eagle the 1st Battalion wear on their arm. As if this wasn't honour enough they even featured in Ross Kemp’s Afghanistan documentary, where you can hear Suffolk accents making fun of the TV hard man - amid incoming Taliban fire. But let's finish with Ipswich lad Arthur Saunders. Born at 180 Cauldwell Hall Road (there’s a blue plaque on the house today), he joined the Navy, served 12 years, then worked at Ransomes in Ipswich. When WW1 broke out, he joined the Suffolk Regiment. At 37, he fought in the Battle of Loos. His commanding officer wrote: "When his officer was wounded, Sergeant Saunders took charge of two machine-guns and a few men, and, though severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last four charges of another battalion, giving them support. Later, when the battalion he was supporting had to retire, he stuck to one of his guns and, despite his wound, continued to give clear orders, firing to cover the retirement." "Severely wounded in the thigh" was officer-speak for having his leg blown off above the knee; a tourniquet was tied around his thigh, and he carried on fighting. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

When I’m not daydreaming about the history behind sports badges, I teach for a living. This year, we’ve introduced a new topic—the Portuguese Empire. You have probably heard of Vasco Da Gama sailing around the Cape of Africa, but the sheer extent of the Portuguese influence in the world is staggering. Not only that, but – there’s a sports badge link here too! Portugal’s football badge (and the wider flag) is packed with symbolism and meaning. So, let’s #GetTheBadgeIn for the Portuguese. At the heart of the badge is a shield, set within a crusader’s cross, that dates back to the 12th century. Inside the shield, there are five smaller blue shields arranged in a cross, each in turn dotted with five white spots. These spots are said to symbolize the miracles that King Afonso I received during his major win at the Battle of Ourique on July 25, 1139, where he defeated the five Moorish kings and pushed Islamic forces out of Portugal. So, a giant cross upon which feature the badges of five defeated Islamic Kings - St. George flag waving loonies - eat your heart out. If we look at the larger Portuguese flag, not just the cross element (which is where the football badge is taken), we can see more symbols of their incredible history. The shield seen on the flag is surrounded by seven red castles—each representing one of the key fortresses captured during the Reconquista (kicking out the Islamic forces from Portugal in the 12th century). Behind that symbol is yet another one that alludes to the Portuguese spirit for exploration and conquest—the armillary sphere. The armillary sphere was a crucial tool for Portuguese explorers during the Age of Discovery. It's essentially a model made up of rings that represent the circles of the sky—like the horizon and equator—allowing sailors to determine their location by observing the stars. This old-school GPS became a symbol of Portugal's flair for navigation. See, navigating 'round the cape' wasn’t straightforward. There are constant and strong winds and currents that push you back the other way—for centuries, people had tried—and died—in the attempt. The Portuguese realized there was a trick to it: sail down the African coast and then at the last moment, turn right—out into the Atlantic. This wasn't to find America (though that is how they bumped into Brazil); this was to dodge the winds and hitch a ride on a different current that zoomed you around the cape. That act of turning out into what most thought was a never-ending ocean, using only your navigational tools for direction, took some balls. Some armillary balls. Before all this, Portugal wasn't exactly in Europe's economic hot zone. It was on the periphery, a backwater, away from the bustling Silk Roads that made central Europe and the Mediterranean rich. So, the Portuguese, with little choice, turned outward toward the Atlantic and the African Coast, aiming to find new lands and trade routes. When Vasco Da Gama returned having discovered India, the game was on. Key to wealth at this time was the spice trade. The spices came from India, across the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, and into Cairo—from where Venetian traders would buy them and sell them on to the rest of Europe. Venice had become extremely rich and at each stage of the process people made profits, and the end price went up. The whole Islamic world, especially the Mamluks (modern Egypt), made a fortune. But Portugal had just found their jugular. If they could go directly to India and cut everyone else out, not only could they bring back cheap spices and cash in—they could fatally undermine the Middle East (and the Venetians). This, Portugal did. They built a network of trading ports and cities around the Indian Ocean—using the Monsoon winds to hitch a ride to India during one phase—and then return with it when the winds shifted. If the movie "Dune," with its large spice freighters, isn’t in part based on this story then… well, it is. It is based on this. The Portuguese had just captured Arrakis; the trade was theirs. Could they hold on to it? Yes, just... for about a hundred years... but then the Middle East got its act together under the Ottomans and began to push them out—and other European powers, namely the Spanish and then the British, pushed them out from the other direction too. So, the Portuguese were the trendsetters, the trailblazers, that ultimately paved the road that Britain would walk. They also ushered in a 500-year period of European global dominance, which is only now fading away. Quite a badge. Crusades, Crosses, Castles, Commerce and Conquests. Thankfully there is far more to Portugal than just Cristiano.

Sometimes a badge looks interesting, but then you read the team's history notes on the website, and it quickly turns unremarkable: "Fred Bloggs scored a hat-trick, we finished 4th in the Southern Premier Division in 1972 under manager Dicky McDickDick," and so on and so forth. And then, just occasionally, you stumble across a team like North Ferriby Football Club ( @north_ferribyfc ). Their story explodes from the page. Most of what follows is taken from their own excellent website (hat tip to the club's historian). It is so inspiring that it deserves telling in short form for a Twitter audience. So let's #GetTheBadgeIn for The Villagers. North Ferriby, just upriver from Hull, has always been about making the most of what it’s got. Formed after the Great War, the club has thrived thanks to decades of hard work from its resourceful fan base. In 1954, they built a brick pavilion at Grange Lane Playing Fields using salvaged materials—a structure still standing today. Later, when concrete was scarce, they swept up concrete dust from a local supplier to finish renovations. Piece by piece, the club grew. Players like Dean Windass have left their mark. Sold to Hull City, a sell-on clause saw Ferriby collect £60,000 when Aberdeen bought him in 1995. This windfall funded youth facilities, helping secure the club’s future. In 2015, the club hit national headlines. Playing as North Ferriby United, they won the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, coming from 2-0 down to beat Wrexham on penalties. They've been up and down since then, on one occasion securing three promotions in a row and reaching National League North, mixing it up with the big boys—which, for a village of less than 4,000 people, is pretty remarkable. So that's the actual club, and I love the story of community engagement keeping this club alive and punching way above its weight. Visit their full history for a much more inspiring story, full of eccentric characters, than you can see in the synopsis above. But what of the badge that first drew me to look closer at the club? The chevron and the three heads of wild boar. Aside from triggering flashbacks to Asterix and Obelix books, these too tell a remarkable tale. It is the coat of arms of the Ferriby family, a local wealthy family that took its name from the settlement. It was originally settled by Vikings sailing down the Humber. They established two camps on either bank and ran a ferry service between the two—today they are North Ferriby and South Ferriby (obvious when you see it, huh? - also reminds of me of North and South Queensferry either side of the Firth of the Forth). The village boasts some impressive history besides that. Going back even further, the oldest ever discovered sewn plank boats —outside of Egypt— in the entire world- were found at North Ferriby. They have been carbon-dated to 4,000 years ago. Yikes. After the Viking landings, the village became Christian, and a priory was established—belonging not just to any old order, but to the Knights Templar themselves. The Templars were famous for being the shock troops in the Crusades, for inventing a continent-wide banking system, and for maybe even protecting the secrets of the Ark of the Covenant... (has anyone checked Ferriby?). So, there you have it. Three boers on the shirt, knights templars still gleaming... North Ferriby FC continue to probably be the most over achieving village team in English history.

Visiting Portman Road on Saturday will be one of the most iconic teams in English football. Both teams have enjoyed incredible success in the past, owing much of it to the same man, Bobby Robson. Statues of Sir Bobby stand outside both stadiums. Before the game, let’s head up the East Coast and #GetTheBadgeIn for Newcastle United FC @NUFC.   Starting in 1882 as two rival cricket teams (East End vs West End), they began kicking a ball around in winter to stay fit. A common enough origin story, but that's about all that is "common" about this team and its city.   Let's start with the name: Newcastle City's coat of arms features three castles, not just the one on the football badge. So, what are they?   Castle 1: The city sits at one end of Hadrian's Wall (hence "Wallsend"). On high ground near the River Tyne, it was an ideal site for a Roman fort, allowing easy shipment of men and materials to defend the border.   Castle 2: The "New" Castle, built in 1080 by William the Conqueror's son Robert Curthose, followed the Norman motte-and-bailey design. These castles were quick to build, used local materials, and acted as bases for Norman troops. Northumbrians resisted fiercely, and during the "Harrowing of the North," thousands were killed, and crops burned to starve survivors.   Castle 3: In 1172, Henry II rebuilt the wooden castle in stone. The Black Gate, added later, still stands with the Keep today. Visitors should take a short walk from St James' Park to see these incredible structures. The castle saw action during the Barons' Wars and the Civil War, when Parliamentarian forces surrendered to the Scots.   So that’s Newcastle—a tale of three towers. The second gave the city its name, and you can still see the Keep on Newcastle's badge.   The city’s coat of arms features a lion carrying the St George Cross, symbolising its role defending against the Scots. On the team badge, the white has turned blue—though the reason remains unclear to me. Did Iceland invade? If anyone knows, shout.   What about the seahorses? They represent the city’s seafaring heritage. Newcastle’s dockyards built much of the British Merchant and Royal Navy. "Tyne Built" became a respected mark worldwide. Iconic images of the town's working classes (who nonetheless could get well paid ship building jobs) playing footie in the streets as the hulking great ships on the horizon were being welded together come to mind.   Local man William Armstrong, of Armstrong Whitworth, pioneered innovations like ironclad ships, rotating bridges, hydro-powered homes, and breech-loading artillery. Advocating renewables for efficiency, he funded schools, museums, and hospitals. His last project was restoring Bamburgh Castle, which remains in his family.   Lastly, coal. Before the Industrial Revolution, Newcastle coal powered trains, ships, and homes. Colliers—ships carrying coal—delivered it nationwide. Ipswich’s River Orwell saw its share, supplying its coal-fired power station, which ran until 1985.   That’s Newcastle: military bastions, seafaring power, industrial hub—and home to a storied football team.   I have a soft spot for Newcastle United. I just hope they have a horrible day on Saturday. 😉

For a town of only 4,700 people (what's that, the South Stand at Portman Road?), Needham Market has a heck of a history. Its Football Club @needhammktfc, currently sits in the National League North, having won the Premier Division Central last season. So, let's pop down the A14 and #GetTheBadgeIn. The crest of Needham Market FC is derived from the family coat of arms of the Earls of Ashburnham. This noble family, which began with (as ever) a buddy of William the Conqueror, started out in England as Constable of Dover. From there, they made a fortune from ironmaking in the Weald (Sussex and Kent) and maintained close ties with the Crown over generations. The coat of arms is quite literal—an ash tree (ASHburnham) grows out of the top of a crown. The most notable Ashburnham was John Ashburnham, a close friend of Charles I. During the Civil War, John was one of two companions who fled Oxford with the King. After Charles I was executed, John endured imprisonment and exile, including stints in the Tower of London and Guernsey. When the monarchy was restored under Charles II, John regained influence. As a reward, the family was granted property in Westminster, where they built Ashburnham House, now one of the boarding houses for Westminster School. I've never been, but I imagine the paintings chat back, and the staircases drift about. They probably have a groundsman called Hagrid. The Ashburnhams remained loyal to the Royals, and John's grandson, another John, was awarded an Earldom, becoming the 1st Earl of Ashburnham in 1730. Their Suffolk connection began in 1756 when the 2nd Earl married Elizabeth Crowley, heiress to a small fortune and lands in Barking, Suffolk. Barking, a small village near Needham Market (not that place in Essex), was historically the seat of regional nobility, with Needham Market as the junior neighbour. Elizabeth's wealth came through her father’s family, who owned the country’s largest metalworks in Durham—so both families had iron in their blood. They missed a trick not calling themselves the Ironborn (sorry, Game of Thrones reference). The Ashburnhams built Barking Hall in the 1700s, a grand stately home. It was demolished in 1926 and is now farmland (like so many stately homes in East Anglia—a waste, didn't they stop to think how much wedding planners would pay for Instagram friendly venues?) As major landowners and benefactors, the family supported local churches and influenced the town. Naturally, Needham Market adopted their coat of arms. Enough about them though—what about Needham Market itself? It has a harrowing story. In the early medieval period, it grew into a prosperous part of the East Anglian wool trade, specialising in combing wool to prepare it for spinning into yarn. Henry II granted the town a charter for a regional market, and the place began to thrive. But then the Black Death arrived. The town was such an infection risk that it was chained off at both ends. Two-thirds of the population died. Chainhouse Road marks where the chain once stood. The “Causeway” in the town comes from “Corpse Way,” the route through which bodies were removed. It took 200 years for the population to recover, but when it did, the town punched above its weight in science and radical thought. One local was burnt at the stake by "Bloody" Mary I for his beliefs, while another was jailed for being a Quaker. A local blacksmith invented a "safety" bicycle—actually a tricycle—and Joseph Priestley, the scientist who discovered oxygen and invented carbonated water, was briefly the town’s priest. Needham Market can also boast having once had a mouse trap factory. I’ve struggled to unpick the Ashburnham/Needham Market crest, but I think the stars must represent a megastar like no other: June Brown, aka Dot Cotton from EastEnders, who grew up there. From a prosperous wool trade to a catastrophic plague, from noble patrons to soap opera royalty, Needham Market has thrived and survived in its own idyllic way. When that National League North side takes to the pitch this weekend, currently languishing near the bottom of the league, they're writing an exciting new chapter for a town that is used to coming back strong from early setbacks.

If you are a British football fan, upon hearing of FC River Plate, you probably don't immediately think of one of Argentina's most successful football clubs. The club with 38 league titles, 16 national cups, and 18 international titles. The club that holds the highest average attendance of any club in the world (84,000!). That probably isn’t what jumps to mind. Furthermore, upon hearing of where they are based – the Belgrano District of Buenos Aires – your mind probably again leaps to a more nautical and military-minded topic. It is for both those reasons – the famous Royal Navy victory at River Plate in 1939 – and the 1982 sinking of the Battleship Belgrano by HMS Conqueror – and The Sun newspaper's infamous "Gotcha!" headline the following day – that it is well worth a look at this club, its history, and the region it represents. So let's #GetTheBadgeIn for the giants that are Club Atlético River Plate. Let's go straight to the badge. A shield bearing the club's initials (CARP – see above) and a red stripe, going diagonally across a white shield. This is a direct reflection of the team's iconic kit – and makes them look a little like they're all wearing sashes as they run about the pitch. In terms of design, it looks like a modern, crisp and minimalist design. However, it has very old and disputed origins. One popular tale says that during a local carnival, some of the early players found a red ribbon and pinned it diagonally on their plain white shirts, creating the first red stripe. Another suggestion is that the red colour was a nod to the Italian city of Genoa (which has a St George's flag on the city crest), since many of the club’s founders were Italian immigrants from that region. And here, like with Palmeiras in Brazil, we see the impact of that wave of Italian migration to Latin America during the 1800s – that brought pasta and football – amongst other things. Whatever the exact origin, the red “band” became a proud symbol of the club – so much so that one of River’s nicknames is “La Banda” (Spanish for “the Stripe” or “the Band”), referring to the red stripe on their kit. So that's the badge. What of the club? River Plate was founded on 25 May 1901 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The club began in the port neighbourhood of La Boca, which, interestingly, is the same area that later became home to their great rivals, Boca Juniors. The club’s name “River Plate” is of course English – it comes from the English name for the city’s river, the Río de la Plata. According to legend, one of the founders saw some cargo crates at the Buenos Aires docks labelled “The River Plate” (perhaps left by British sailors), and he decided this would be a unique name for the new club. This English name stuck, giving the club an international-sounding identity from the very start. The team earned promotion to Argentina’s top division in 1908, and by 1914 River had won its first major title. Over the following decades, River Plate became one of Argentina’s most successful and popular football clubs. In the 1930s, the club gained the nickname “Los Millonarios” (The Millionaires) after spending then-huge sums of money to buy star players. This big spending and the move to a wealthier district cemented River’s image as a rich and ambitious club. River Plate dominated much of the 20th century in Argentine football – they won so many championships (28 official tournaments by 1999) that they were honoured as “El Campeón del Siglo” (The Champions of the Century) in Argentina. Throughout its history, the club has produced and featured many famous players, including legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano (who played in the 1940s before becoming a star in Europe) and more recent heroes like Enzo Francescoli, Ariel Ortega, and Marcelo Gallardo. With its long list of victories and star players, River Plate is regarded as one of the football giants of Argentina and of South America. River Plate’s home stadium is the monumental Estadio Monumental (officially named Estadio Antonio V. Liberti) in the Núñez district of Buenos Aires. It is the largest stadium in Argentina, with a capacity of around 84,000 spectators. One of the most defining aspects of River Plate’s identity is its fierce rivalry with Boca Juniors. Matches between River Plate and Boca Juniors are known as the “Superclásico,” and this derby is often called one of the most intense and famous rivalries in world football. The BBC has ranked the Superclásico among the top sporting experiences in the world. Buenos Aires, as a city, grew fast on the back of its football-loving Italian migrants during the 1880s. As the main port city, it was central to Argentina’s export-driven economy, especially during the 19th-century agricultural boom (beef and wheat). Wealth poured in, making Buenos Aires one of the richest cities globally by the early 1900s. Politically, it was these dock and factory workers that gave birth to a form of Argentinian soft socialism known as Peronism, after their President Juan Perón (whose wife was Evita – which is where that "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" song comes from). So that's the club and city. However, I should probably map out a little more about why River Plate has strong naval connections in British eyes. The Battle of the River Plate was the first major naval victory for the British in the Second World War – and it all came down to some underhand trickery. In 1939 the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee broke out into the Atlantic to cause havoc on the shipping lanes. The Royal Navy was terrified that Hitler would do this, so sent dozens of ships after her. Three British cruisers – HMS Exeter, Ajax, and Achilles – caught up and chased their German prey south down into the Atlantic. These smaller vessels could do no more than chip away at Graf Spee and keep well out of range of the devastating German guns. However, they were able to do enough damage that Graf Spee put into Montevideo in Uruguay – sailing up the River Plate to get there. Holed up in this neutral port, the rules of war said she would have to leave within 72 hours. The three British ships waiting for her didn't fancy their chances in a straight fight, so flooded the radio waves with false chatter between themselves and – what sounded like – a larger British fleet on its way down to reinforce them. The German captain had to now make a decision. Not confident they could take on the combined might of the three cruisers plus whatever was over the horizon, he decided to take his crew off and scuttle (sink) his own ship. He must have felt really silly when he discovered the ruse – but by that point it was too late, and the Royal Navy was celebrating its first big catch of the Second World War – and all because of some underhand tomfoolery by their radio officers. Graf Spee was sunk by fake news. So there you have it. A team of Italian migrants, inspired by their Genoan roots, and representing the working men of the Argentinian capital. Today, it is by many measures the biggest club in all of world football. Not half bad. Not half bad at all.

Let's a pay a visit to FC Palm Tree from Brazil and #getthebadgein —Founded in 1914 by Italian immigrants in São Paulo, this club has grown into Brazil’s most successful domestic side, rooted in the struggles and triumphs of a fast-changing, immigrant-driven city. @Palmeiras #FCWC25 At the turn of the 20th century, São Paulo was booming. Brazil had abolished slavery in 1888, and the government launched aggressive immigration campaigns to attract European labour—especially Italians. Many of those who left Italy in the late 1800s were fleeing poverty, social unrest, and the aftermath of Italy’s failed unification wars—a period marked by civil strife, economic stagnation, and political instability. Drawn by promises of land and work, millions of Italians made the journey to Brazil, especially to São Paulo. Some worked on coffee plantations in the countryside, while many found jobs in the city’s booming industrial economy—as labourers, bricklayers, cobblers, mechanics, and factory workers. They built neighbourhoods, ran bakeries, and formed tight-knit communities defined by Catholic values, regional pride, and a growing passion for football. Italian migrants were central to São Paulo’s transformation from a provincial town into Brazil’s economic powerhouse. They helped build the textile industry, urban transport, railways, and financial services. Italian-run businesses—from grocers to banks—contributed to the city’s economic ascent. Today, an estimated 31 million Brazilians have Italian heritage, the largest population of Italian descent outside of Italy itself, and nowhere is that legacy felt more deeply than in São Paulo. In this context, 46 Italian-Brazilians gathered in the Alhambra Room on 26 August 1914 to form a football club of their own: Palestra Itália. Inspired by clubs like Pro Vercelli and Torino, they wore blue and white kits and proudly flew the Italian flag. Football was their way of asserting identity in a country where they were still viewed as outsiders. By the 1930s, they’d built their own concrete stadium and become one of São Paulo’s dominant clubs. But Brazil’s entry into World War II in 1942 changed everything. Under pressure to remove Axis-associated names and symbols, the club was forced to change its identity. The name Palmeiras was chosen—after São Paulo’s Avenida das Palmeiras—and the club adopted green and white as its permanent colours. The “P” remained in the badge, but the team began a new chapter—rooted in Brazil, but never forgetting its Italian foundations. Since then, Palmeiras have become one of Brazil’s most decorated sides. With a record 12 Brasileirão titles, 4 Copa do Brasil victories, and three Copa Libertadores triumphs (1999, 2020, 2021), they’ve built a legacy that stretches across South America. The club also won the Copa Rio in 1951—considered by some to be the first ever club world title. Their badge is a quiet classic: a green shield with a bold white “P”, encircled by stars and the club name. It’s not loud, but it tells a story—of migration, reinvention, and dominance. Today, Palmeiras remains a modern powerhouse. In 2021, Leila Pereira became the club’s first female president—and one of the most influential figures in South American football. She is also the head of Crefisa, a personal credit company based in São Paulo and Palmeiras' main sponsor. Under her leadership, Palmeiras has combined strong financial backing with on-pitch success, lifting multiple international trophies and investing in world-class infrastructure. What began as a working-class team for Italian migrants is now a truly global club, with fans across Brazil and beyond. Yet its heart still beats strongest in São Paulo, among the descendants of those who built the city’s factories, laid its bricks, and passed down the love of Palmeiras from generation to generation. Palmeiras isn’t just a football club—it’s the story of immigration, ambition, and identity. Its badge blends Italian heritage and Brazilian pride. Its stadium stands as a monument to São Paulo’s migrant energy. And its legacy continues to grow, shaped by bold leadership and a fanbase that knows where it came from.