The Premier League is one of the biggest football leagues in the world, watched by millions of fans across the globe every week. Alongside the action on the pitch, the football crests on each shirt have become powerful symbols of identity and loyalty. We’ve taken a closer look at how Premier League badges have evolved over the years: both in their design and in the materials and techniques used to make them.
In 2002, Arsenal unveiled a simplified crest with a cannon facing to the right. The redesign made the badge easier to copyright, but many fans felt the club ignored its heritage. The Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association (AISA) criticised the move for breaking with history.
Manchester City returned to a circular crest featuring the year 1894, the year of its foundation. While some fans welcomed the change, others disliked the removal of “Football Club”.
When Everton’s new badge dropped the club motto and wreaths, fans were furious. More than 22,000 signed petitions under the hashtag #NoToNewEFCBadge. The club responded quickly, allowing supporters to vote on a revised crest the following year.
Villa’s 2016 redesign removed the word “Prepared” and simplified colours. A later 2024 round badge, inspired by the 1970s, confused fans before being replaced again by a shield design.
West Ham took a different approach, simplifying their crest by removing the Boleyn Castle and adding “London.” The move gave the club a clearer international identity and was widely accepted.
Chelsea reintroduced a modern version of their 1950s crest when Roman Abramovich took over. The update gave the club a fresh look, but some supporters said it removed a sense of tradition.
Burnley’s recent badge drew mixed reactions. While it included symbols from the club’s and town’s history, many supporters described it as “boring”. Even the shade of claret came under fire.
Just as Premier League badge designs have changed, so too has the technology behind them.
1970s–1980s: Stitched Embroidered Badges Crests were sewn directly into cotton shirts. They were durable and gave a traditional look. Clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool all wore embroidered crests.
1990s: Woven Badges Woven badges were stitched onto shirts as separate patches, allowing for finer detail. Manchester United’s Sharp kits are a classic example.
2000s: Heat Transfers and Vinyl Lighter heat transfer and vinyl badges were pressed onto polyester shirts. They were breathable but often peeled after heavy use.
2010s: TPU and 3D Silicone Thermoplastic and silicone added raised detail without adding weight. Many Nike and adidas kits use this method today.
2020s–Present: Hybrid Methods Replica kits often use embroidery because embroidery looks premium and durable. It evokes tradition and craftsmanship, things fans value. It’s also cheaper and easier to produce at scale than advanced heat-bonded materials. Player shirts feature silicone or TPU for performance. Liverpool and Chelsea have both used these mixed approaches.
Premier league badges carry the history of a club and unite supporters across generations. While Premier League teams continue to update their crests and experiment with new materials, the meaning behind the badge remains the same.
At Aspinline, we can help bring that same sense of identity to your own football team. Whether it is an embroidered patch to stitch onto kits, TPU patches that are heat bonded, or a range of custom accessories such as wristbands, keyrings or pin badges. We make it easy to showcase your team colours and football crest with pride.
