Bristol Rovers consider major change to football club - supporters to be consulted

Bristol Rovers are considering changing their badge which would come into effect for the 2023/24 season.

The Gas have had their current badge for half a century and now are considering changing it in the New Year when they celebrate their 140th anniversary from being formed.

The club has insisted they will work with supporters and are seeking initial feedback on the current badge and whether it can be developed to ‘represent ourselves as a club moving forward’.

A survey is to be sent out to supporters which will give them the opportunity to give their opinions on the badge which will later be led into a small focus group where concept ideas will be discussed.

A club statement read earlier this week: “As Bristol Rovers approaches its 140th anniversary, it provides the perfect opportunity for a period of reflection as we celebrate our history but also look to the future.

“Over the past few years, we have attempted to make improvements across all areas of the club to modernise, professionalise and, ultimately, drive the club forward. The current crest is also celebrating its own milestone, as it has been in use for 25 years.

“Lots has changed over that 25-year period, not only for the club, but also in wider society and now feels like the right time to work with you - the supporters - to review this and see if we can make any improvements or changes to better represent the club.

“We would, therefore, like to start a consultation process to gain some initial feedback on the current badge and gather possible new ideas as to how we represent ourselves as a club moving forward.

“As part of this process, we are very shortly going to be getting in touch with fans to invite you to take part in a survey and share your views.

“Once we have collated initial opinions, we may then create a small focus group to discuss ideas and concepts further. Working together, we can redefine what the future of our club looks like.”

The official nickname of the club is the Pirates which features on the badge in front of their iconic blue and white quarters with a banner of ‘1883’ which is the year the club were formed as the Black Arabs.

Rovers have had the Pirates identity from the 1930s when Albert Prince-Cox wanted a change of image and called the club ‘The Pirates’ and brought in the quartered shirts to make the ‘lads look bigger’ making them the first in the league to do so.

They had a fair few badges during the 1980s with four in total, the first being the letters ‘BRFC’ which was embroidered. A circular badge with a pirate in the middle accompanied by Bristol Rovers and ‘The Pirates’.

It did not last long however and instead a quarter box design became their badge with the formation of the club included with a slightly different variation in 1998.