Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: The club’s controversial new crest

The handful of fans that turned up to the supporters’ meeting with Mike Turner were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the club’s controversial new crest for next season. The Saders are set to go through a rebrand ahead of the move to Newport next season; but the inclusion of the three feathers on the new badge has received only a lukewarm reaction from the club’s diehard support.

It wasn't until the end of last week's Real Radio show that Turner mentioned the rebrand for next season - including a new crest and, perhaps most controversially of all, a name change from ‘Celtic Crusaders' to just ‘Crusaders'.

The news was met with a frosty reaction from the club's loyal supporters and some had even hinted at a protest at Saturday's Super League encounter with title-chasing Leeds Rhinos.

However, after the news of the six deportations at the beginning of the week, issues like the badge seemed to matter less and less as some of the club's more pessimistic followers started to worry as to whether or not there'd even be a South Walian rugby league club to support next season.

Reports, suggest, however that Turner did much to alleviate such fears as he met with around ten of the club's fans at an open meeting on Wednesday evening. Fans also got a glimpse of the club's new stadium plans and also the new badge that has sparked such controversy. A photograph of the new crest can be viewed below:

The crest also simply bares the words ‘Crusaders' now with ‘Celtic' dropped. The club are yet to confirm whether this will be a formal name change in the long-term or merely a push of the ‘Crusaders' name over ‘Celtic'. The former, however, seems increasingly likely.

Certainly, the reaction from most supporters seems to be negative. I like the new badge - but am disappointed by the name change and prefer the Warriors-esque crest despite being from Cardiff. Fans who agree should certainly lobby the club but, from what has been said, this change is something of a done deal and has been going on behind the scenes for many months.

These are challenging times for the club and it does seem that Turner, Dai Watkins and Leighton Samuel are looking for the club to revitalise itself with a new start in Bridgend. An altered name, a new crest and a move away from the clubs roots which, of course, came about after the WRU disbanded the Warriors region and stripped Bridgend of professional support.

Thanks to Johnny for the photograph.

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