Rovers Brand

[godlike1]

Whilst I think you are onto something i hope you won't be offended when I say I don't like either of your images, they look alittle Everton esc for my liking aka cheap and tacky looking.

My view is why try to fix something if its not broken?

I do think that with your imagination and skills you may be able to show the club badge of in different ways to make it more of an iconic figure that resembles rovers to the point where you don't need to put doncaster rovers in words along side it due to everyone knowing who we are any way. Think Nike swoosh for example

Good luck

[Mild Rover]

What about the opening track of Led Zep III as the entrance music? Name totally escapes me... That's all about Vikings... And it rocks like a mother. Ahh Ahhhh ahhhhhh ah.

Immigrant Song!

What about this by one of my all time favourite bands - it's actual title is 'Look mum, there's Vikings on the tundra again'      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77CtWpgyMLA

[River Don]

Whilst I think you are onto something i hope you won't be offended when I say I don't like either of your images, they look alittle Everton esc for my liking aka cheap and tacky looking.

My view is why try to fix something if its not broken?

I do think that with your imagination and skills you may be able to show the club badge of in different ways to make it more of an iconic figure that resembles rovers to the point where you don't need to put doncaster rovers in words along side it due to everyone knowing who we are any way. Think Nike swoosh for example

Good luck

No offence taken Godlike.

I'm not sure what you mean by Everton-esque? I tried to simplify it a little without losing its character. If by doing that, it's looking cheap and tacky, then it's failing.

The current design not being broken? Well it did feature in a poll of worst football badges a while ago, I remember one comment being the cloak looks like a big mustache...

Personally I don't think there is a lot wrong with the badge but I don't think it's perfect. The proportions of the shield don't look quite right, it's a little narrow at the bottom. The rose is positioned low, well off centre within the shield. The type is a heavy, modern sans serif and positioned off centre within the box it sits. I feel some of the elements like the vikings hair are drawn a little crudely. Dealing with the mustache effect on the cloak is difficult, I tried fewer 'hairs' perhaps that doesn't succeed.

As for the Nike swoosh, a logo as iconic as that only comes along very rarely, as far as simplicity goes you can not do much more. It did though start out combined with logotype, its only when a brand becomes so successful and familiar that you can start to rely on an icon alone, amongst other things that takes time and a vast budget. Achieving that kind of recognition with a local football club badge is quite a task, even the likes of Manchester United include the club name within the badge.

[Orlandokarla]

Just a pedantic point on the shield. Wouldn't the Vikings have had round shields? I think the current one is more of a medieval design. But I could be wrong.

Correct.

Here is a version based on more historically accurate viking garb. I know it looks a bit like something from DC comics but I based that roughly on photos of genuine viking artifacts. You can see why it might have caused a bit of a stir when this lot rocked up on the River Don...

Very nice.

I like the Sutton Hoo style helm especially, and the use of the axe. The round shield looks infinitely better too, IMO.

This is what we should be going for, but with the shield red and white 'quarterly'. The lines of division would need to be curved, rather than straight, to be Nordic.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I certainly think our badge is up there with the best as it is. Full marks for giving it a makeover and perhaps giving it a bit more authenticity.

I wouldn't object if it were up for negotiation. It would have to go to a vote of course!!

[RedJ]

I certainly think our badge is up there with the best as it is. Full marks for giving it a makeover and perhaps giving it a bit more authenticity.

I wouldn't object if it were up for negotiation. It would have to go to a vote of course!!

Wonder if the club would be up for putting the new badge up for a design competition next time they choose to update it.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

You never know. As we are at the moment, we have a lot of traditionalists  and changing something like the club badge would be a no no, but say for instance, we got promoted to the Prem and we gained a lot of new supporters then a 'makeover' could be more acceptable to the masses.

 

[Snods Shinpad 2]

The Rovers viking responds to calls for him to be replaced.

[Viking Jack]

Wow, I never knew vikings had 6 fingers.   

[River Don]

The Rovers viking responds to calls for him to be replaced.

I don't think he should be replaced. Just smartened up a fraction.

[Drover]

I like that RD, subtle change but very effective. Not that I have an issue with the current badge of course, although I'm not sure which is our actual badge?

This one that is used on the shirts:



Or this one which the club use on promotion posters and the website etc:

I seem to remember spending my school days and summer hols(No rovers games to go to) doodling alot of rovers stuff including the viking emblem and the one I did most often used to have part of the shield was also coloured in green aswell as the red n white.I thought maybe becuase our away strip was usually green at the time.Am I right or am I mistaken?

[Muttley]

It was the supporter's club that obtained the rights to it when Richardson was doing his worst, hence that Thundercats abomination we had for one season.  Not sure if the rights were given back to the club or not.

Thanks Rob - I couldn't remember if it was the Supporters' Club or VSC. I just recall it was Andy Liney and I thought it all happened right at the birth of the VSC.

The last I heard, the club was given permission to use the logo free of charge but I don't know what happened after that.

Well I'm pretty sure the copyright is up for renewal this year so I assume it will be copyrighted to Doncaster Rovers.

You can't renew copyright - it typically (depending on the type of work involved) lasts for 70 years from the death of the creator.

If you mean trademark:
the "viking" mark is still owned by the Retford branch of the supporters club and expires in 2019 (although it's only registered in association with articles of clothing - I'd have thought it would be protected for other uses)

Patienceform Limited (ie DRFC) have got two trademarks registered


and the beloved Thundercats logo


They are both registered in a number of classes -


Class 18
    Articles included in Class 18 made of leather or imitation leather, travelling bags; backpacks (for climbers), umbrellas, duffel bags; bootbags; holdalls; wallets; bags; belts; purses; credit card holders; cheque book holders; walking sticks.
Class 21
    Domestic utensils and containers; chinaware; glassware; porcelain and earthenware; combs; sponges (not for surgical use); glasses; half-pint glasses; pint glasses; tall glasses; mugs; whisky glasses; wine glasses; champagne flutes; tumblers; whiskey tumblers; brushes; moneyboxes; toothbrushes.
Class 25
    Articles of outer clothing; articles of sports clothing; footwear being articles of clothing; and headgear (for wear); shirts; shorts; T-shirts; socks.
Class 28
    Games, toys and playthings; footballs.
Class 41
    Sports education and entertainment services.
Class 43
    Club services; restaurant and catering services.

if I was the club I'd be looking to get the viking assigned to them and registered in those classes too.

[PDX_Rover]

Good thread, this. We really do not make the most of the Viking. A GREAT emblem. Great ideas for merch, and think the move to a round shield is the way to go as (a) it's authentic and (b) a football is round too

Check out this cool woolly hat we got our little one.... That would be top notch for the winter games.

[PDX_Rover]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROLs8M8BjE4

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

[godlike1]

Whilst I think you are onto something i hope you won't be offended when I say I don't like either of your images, they look alittle Everton esc for my liking aka cheap and tacky looking.

My view is why try to fix something if its not broken?

I do think that with your imagination and skills you may be able to show the club badge of in different ways to make it more of an iconic figure that resembles rovers to the point where you don't need to put doncaster rovers in words along side it due to everyone knowing who we are any way. Think Nike swoosh for example

Good luck

No offence taken Godlike.

I'm not sure what you mean by Everton-esque? I tried to simplify it a little without losing its character. If by doing that, it's looking cheap and tacky, then it's failing.

The current design not being broken? Well it did feature in a poll of worst football badges a while ago, I remember one comment being the cloak looks like a big mustache...

Personally I don't think there is a lot wrong with the badge but I don't think it's perfect. The proportions of the shield don't look quite right, it's a little narrow at the bottom. The rose is positioned low, well off centre within the shield. The type is a heavy, modern sans serif and positioned off centre within the box it sits. I feel some of the elements like the vikings hair are drawn a little crudely. Dealing with the mustache effect on the cloak is difficult, I tried fewer 'hairs' perhaps that doesn't succeed.

As for the Nike swoosh, a logo as iconic as that only comes along very rarely, as far as simplicity goes you can not do much more. It did though start out combined with logotype, its only when a brand becomes so successful and familiar that you can start to rely on an icon alone, amongst other things that takes time and a vast budget. Achieving that kind of recognition with a local football club badge is quite a task, even the likes of Manchester United include the club name within the badge.

Whilst I think you are onto something i hope you won't be offended when I say I don't like either of your images, they look alittle Everton esc for my liking aka cheap and tacky looking.

My view is why try to fix something if its not broken?

I do think that with your imagination and skills you may be able to show the club badge of in different ways to make it more of an iconic figure that resembles rovers to the point where you don't need to put doncaster rovers in words along side it due to everyone knowing who we are any way. Think Nike swoosh for example

Good luck

No offence taken Godlike.

I'm not sure what you mean by Everton-esque? I tried to simplify it a little without losing its character. If by doing that, it's looking cheap and tacky, then it's failing.

The current design not being broken? Well it did feature in a poll of worst football badges a while ago, I remember one comment being the cloak looks like a big mustache...

Personally I don't think there is a lot wrong with the badge but I don't think it's perfect. The proportions of the shield don't look quite right, it's a little narrow at the bottom. The rose is positioned low, well off centre within the shield. The type is a heavy, modern sans serif and positioned off centre within the box it sits. I feel some of the elements like the vikings hair are drawn a little crudely. Dealing with the mustache effect on the cloak is difficult, I tried fewer 'hairs' perhaps that doesn't succeed.

As for the Nike swoosh, a logo as iconic as that only comes along very rarely, as far as simplicity goes you can not do much more. It did though start out combined with logotype, its only when a brand becomes so successful and familiar that you can start to rely on an icon alone, amongst other things that takes time and a vast budget. Achieving that kind of recognition with a local football club badge is quite a task, even the likes of Manchester United include the club name within the badge.

Whilst I think you are onto something i hope you won't be offended when I say I don't like either of your images, they look alittle Everton esc for my liking aka cheap and tacky looking.

My view is why try to fix something if its not broken?

I do think that with your imagination and skills you may be able to show the club badge of in different ways to make it more of an iconic figure that resembles rovers to the point where you don't need to put doncaster rovers in words along side it due to everyone knowing who we are any way. Think Nike swoosh for example

Good luck

No offence taken Godlike.

I'm not sure what you mean by Everton-esque? I tried to simplify it a little without losing its character. If by doing that, it's looking cheap and tacky, then it's failing.

The current design not being broken? Well it did feature in a poll of worst football badges a while ago, I remember one comment being the cloak looks like a big mustache...

Personally I don't think there is a lot wrong with the badge but I don't think it's perfect. The proportions of the shield don't look quite right, it's a little narrow at the bottom. The rose is positioned low, well off centre within the shield. The type is a heavy, modern sans serif and positioned off centre within the box it sits. I feel some of the elements like the vikings hair are drawn a little crudely. Dealing with the mustache effect on the cloak is difficult, I tried fewer 'hairs' perhaps that doesn't succeed.

As for the Nike swoosh, a logo as iconic as that only comes along very rarely, as far as simplicity goes you can not do much more. It did though start out combined with logotype, its only when a brand becomes so successful and familiar that you can start to rely on an icon alone, amongst other things that takes time and a vast budget. Achieving that kind of recognition with a local football club badge is quite a task, even the likes of Manchester United include the club name within the badge.

Well river Don, it is quite clear you know what your talking about.

The bit I was talking about with regards Everton was the article below:

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22696130

You have made some good points about previous comments about our badge and your observations to it, maybe it is a case of further sharpening the image used by the promotion department and carrying out some of the improvements you've mentioned but in a subtle way then you may be onto something.

I also agree with you about the Nike swoosh, however thats where i think the Viking and shield could be used in the same way with plenty of imagination and creativity. I think someone with obvious knowledge and skill like yourself would make a fine effort of it.

I hope this is helpful in someway and that it makes some sort of sense

[RobTheRover]

Actually, I think there is an important point in there about iconic brands and their logos.

I suspect if you showed our badge (with no wording) to 100 random footy fans from up and down the land virtually all of them would recognise it as ours.

[Nudga]

Just been tinkering with the badge, what do you reckon?

RD, Why don't you put that on that you did for me.

[River Don]

Just been tinkering with the badge, what do you reckon?

RD, Why don't you put that on that you did for me.

Alright mate,

If you haven't done anything with your logo yet, I don't mind revisiting it. Send me a PM.

[River Don]

Actually, I think there is an important point in there about iconic brands and their logos.

I suspect if you showed our badge (with no wording) to 100 random footy fans from up and down the land virtually all of them would recognise it as ours.

The Viking is a striking image no doubt, I bet a large percentage of English football fans would recognise it.

If you were to ask me what the badge of some lower league clubs for instance Wycombe or Burnley or Cheltenham, Walsall, Grimsby or Blackpool was, I'd struggle though I'd probably know them if I saw them. Bristol Rovers, Scunny, Millwall, Brighton, Torquay I think are more successful and I guess most of us would know roughly what they are. I think ours is one of the latter group.

[streatham dave]

Leave it alone. That is all. Thank you.

[BobG]

Now that's a reight proper song that is PDX! Brought back some memories that has. I still got Led Zep 1, 3 and 4 on vinyl.

BobG

[PDX_Rover]

Me too Bob. Still got em on vinyl, which seems to be making a comeback over here.

[Sprotyrover]

How about we get Regina anglocorum the Saxon viking re enactment society to send us half a dozen huscarls with round shields painted a la rovers, they come marching out at start of first home game as a guard of honor for the champions flag to Led Zepelin on the tannoy....awesome!

[Pintolager]

Is there going to be a poll for this? It seems I am in a minority over this issue and if the majority do want any changes to the logo (be they subtle changes or not) then good luck with it. I am not against people showing imagination and initiative. Good luck to River Don or anyone else with their ideas if this is to proceed further

[Muttley]

Is there going to be a poll for this? It seems I am in a minority over this issue and if the majority do want any changes to the logo (be they subtle changes or not) then good luck with it. I am not against people showing imagination and initiative. Good luck to River Don or anyone else with their ideas if this is to proceed further

Agreed - change for change's sake. I can't see any benefit to changing the logo (apart from letting some people show off their skills in Photoshop or whatever they use).

And think of the cost to the club of changing logos everywhere - hardly top priority!

[Mustapha-Dump]

I always wondered if the Viking has a name?

[godlike1]

Yup it's Eric :-)

[Nudga]

I thought it was cock nose.