West Ham United was founded in 1895 under the name Thames Ironworks FC, and every inch of the club has changed significantly since then. Aside from the noticeable name change, West Ham's club crest has been regularly altered. However, it has always maintained the images of two hammers crossed in the center. West Ham is an example of a club that has never forgotten its identity and roots but has evolved to suit the growing commercial world.
West Ham's crest is worldwide at present
West Ham's club crest is being spread worldwide after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League. Their global growth will unlikely slow down as they will participate in the Europa League next season. They could use the European revenue to improve their league standing next season, further sustaining the club's growth. In sports betting, they are offered at +650 to finish in the Premier League's top six positions in the 2023/24 season.
David Moyes celebrated West Ham’s Conference League victory with his 8️⃣7️⃣-year-old dad ❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/BqYaEg4YkQ
— 433 (@433) June 9, 2023
The club's crest is incredibly recognizable in all corners of the globe due to its European success. West Ham has endured a problematic domestic season but has culminated in a continental victory, making the club trend worldwide on Twitter.
Key details of the 2016 crest change
A vital feature of the Hammers' crest change in the summer of 2016 was the addition of the text reading 'London' in the center. This implies the club aims to maintain strong associations with the city it resides in. Perhaps the club even has ambitions to be the most reputable club in London eventually.
David Moyes' first major trophy was worth the wait 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aNkl1khQX7
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 8, 2023
The crest change of seven years ago means that fans worldwide will strongly associate the club with the city of London. This is huge, considering clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea have overshadowed the Irons for many years in terms of global support. The club has won its first significant honor in more than 40 years, and in minimalizing its badge design a few years in the past, the club is set to take full advantage of its success on the pitch.
West Ham's previous badge gave little clues about where they were based to global fans. After winning a substantial European honor, fans worldwide are becoming widely aware that there is another club in London, and they are impacting the continental level.
If the club had not changed the badge, they might have been seen globally as just another English team. But now West Ham will be known as another big club with a loyal fanbase from the English capital. Their aims of improving their global reach are showing signs of being achieved due to the new crest.
West Ham's crest change will undoubtedly continue to impact the club commercially. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur often dominate the headlines regarding London clubs. However, now West Ham is firmly on the footballing map.
There are clear advantages to clubs abandoning tradition to make gains commercially. A traditional crest may have appealed to the older, locally based generation, but the minimalization of the crest certainly appeals to the wider footballing world. West Ham has proved sentiment should be put aside in modern football - commercialization takes precedence.
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