There’s a lot of people making a lot of noise about Newcastle United and rebrands right now - and while I see it, I’m just not feeling it.
I’m now asking myself, am I mellowing out in my old(er) age?
All I’ve seen is people up in arms across social media, ready to wage war against the club for simply updating a design feature or two, here or there - and I’m not even talking about the club crest.
New crest - but new NUFC, too with ground changes
I was no fan of the crest change. I didn’t want it. Would actually rather have seen wholesale change, than a dumbing down of the incumbent badge. But in the end, maybe having accepted defiance was futile, I didn’t mind the final iteration.
When it comes to the ‘Newcastle United’ or Newcaslle, as it appears, I don’t mind the nod to the old, just wish had been aligned slightly better. Although, I do reckon it’s got a jaunty design reason for why.
And now, Newcastle have moved to fill the supporter void after new St James’ Park signage - another rebrand - popped up out nowhere this week.
Social media has been up in arms about it - well, the usual suspects, anyway. I have to be honest, though, I genuinely don’t understand what people are angry about.
NUFC statement on the SJP rebrand
In a statement, the club said:
“You may have noticed another change at St. James’ Park following significant investment in the stadium this summer.
“The stadium now has its own updated branding, separate from the club crest, which was installed in front of the Milburn Stand during the weekend.
“The new stadium logo replaces one that was introduced a decade ago, which featured an aerial view of the stadium in black, white, silver and gold.
“The new design takes its shape from the stadium’s iconic cantilevered roof, a unique part of the Newcastle upon Tyne skyline. Its bold, geometric lines echo the roof’s steel frame, giving St. James’ Park a distinct identity of its own.
“Why does the stadium need its own brand? Because while St. James’ Park is the beloved home of our teams, it’s also about much more than matchdays.
“Every year, it hosts thousands of meetings, events, celebrations and conferences, and it welcomes global music stars and international sports – including the upcoming UEFA EURO 2028 tournament.
“This new brand simply helps us to share and depict St. James’ Park across all audiences, whatever brings them here.”
Seems perfectly reasonable to me. Change in the name of progress - and I’m all for it. Still not sure about the crest, mind.