Manchester City FC
December 26, 2015, Manchester City introduced a new emblem of the club before the match with Sunderland. As promised, the Manchester City logo was designed in a round shape and executed in two colors: 94% of fans preferred the blue color, and 68% – the white one. Also, fans chose the elements of the picture: 85% appreciated a ship, the symbol of Manchester, 67% chose three rivers (Irwell, Irk and Medlock), and 60% picked out a red rose, the symbol of the county of Lancashire. The logo has a round shape again with a shield inside, where the golden ship and the red rose are featured. All the lines are painted in the dark blue color and complemented by light blue. The year of the club foundation is painted blue 1894. Finally, the arched wordmark is back “MANCHESTER CITY” in blue.
Manchester City FC
1997 - 2016
Inspired by the urban sign, the developers of the logo also decided to decorate it with a beautiful inscription in Latin.
This badge was based on the arms of the city of Manchester, and consisted of a shield in front of a golden eagle. The eagle is an old heraldic symbol of the city of Manchester. The shield features a ship on its upper half representing the Manchester Ship Canal, and three diagonal stripes in the lower half symbolise the city's three rivers – the Irwell, the Irk and the Medlock. The bottom of the badge bears the motto "Superbia in Proelio", which translates as "Pride in Battle" in Latin. Above the eagle and shield are three stars, which are purely decorative.
Manchester City FC
1981 - 1997
For the 1981 season, Manchester kept the same design with some changes to color. The shield has a two tone color of blue and white with the background blue going darker. Still have the arched wordmark "MANCHESTER CITY F.C." in black.
Manchester City FC
1972 - 1981
In 1972, Manchester City made significant change to the design and again the colors. Changes to the featured shield by adding a red rose below the yellow ship. The roundel logo now sports a white background for the arched wordmark "MANCHESTER CITY F.C." in black.
Manchester City FC
1970 - 1972
In the beginning of the '70s, Manchester City changed the design and colors to their logo. A black trim was added to the wordmark and the roundel. The featured shield continues with the ship and banner with slight changes.
Manchester City FC
1960 - 1970
Manchester City's first original mark came in the '60s becoming a roundel logo. Bringing over the shield from the coat of arms is the centerpiece. The shield is red and yellow with a ship at the top of the shield and a striped banner at the bottom. Arched wordmark "MANCHESTER CITY FC" in black on a light blue background.
Manchester City FC
1926 - 1960
The original crest was gleaned from the Manchester City Coat of Arms logo.
The golden bends in red are derived from the arms of the Lords of Manchester, who ruled the city before 1301. The chief shows a ship in full sail, a symbol of trade and enterprise. The crest shows a globe covered with bees, representing the world to all parts of which the city's goods are exported. The bees are a symbol of activity. The supporters, an antelope and a lion, are derived from the arms of King Henry IV, Duke of Lancaster.
The motto means "By council and work" and is derived from a phrase in Ecclesiasticus 37:16: "Let reason be the beginning of every work and let counsel go before every action."
Manchester City FC Logo History
The Manchester City FC logo history officially began with the Manchester City Council coat of arms, featuring a ship and three stripes. However, the club introduced a circular Manchester city soccer logo in 1972 that became a fan favorite. This design featured the red rose of Lancashire and a golden eagle, symbolizing the city's heraldry. Therefore, the Manchester City FC logo established a unique aesthetic that lasted for several decades. In 1997, the club shifted to a shield-and-eagle design, which represented a bold new era for the team in the Premier League.
Furthermore, the club returned to its roots in 2016 by launching a refined, circular Manchester City FC logo. This modern version of the Manchester city soccer logo removed the eagle and restored the ship and the red rose. You can visit our Chelsea FC logo page to see how other top-flight clubs have also returned to circular designs. This transition ensures that the Manchester City FC logo history remains connected to the club's origins while looking toward the future. Ultimately, the current badge is optimized for digital media and global branding, reflecting City's status as a world leader in sports.
The Manchester City FC logo continues to evolve alongside the team's record-breaking success on the pitch. You can visit the Manchester City FC team history page to learn more about the titles won under these various emblems. We provide a detailed look at the Manchester City FC logo history to help fans study the club’s prestigious past. Every version of the Manchester city soccer logo captures a specific moment of triumph for the Sky Blues. Consequently, the crest remains a source of immense pride for the citizens of Manchester and fans across the globe.
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