Fans to give verdict on badge design (From Northwich Guardian)

1874 Northwich supporters prepare for vote on badge for new football club

4:06pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Football Exclusive By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

FOLLOWERS of a new football team in the town give their verdict on a symbol for the club tomorrow, Thursday.

1874 Northwich supporters will be asked to pick their favourite badge from a collection designed by architecture graduate Luke Bushnell-Wye.

Six made the final cut.

“The thought that a logo I’ve designed could be adopted by the club is amazing,” he said.

“I’ve spent many an evening idly designing crests for teams that exist only in my imagination or new versions for existing clubs. To be involved in this process has been so exciting.”

The 24-year-old was asked by board members from Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust, whose members voted in November to start their own club, to come up with a design after sending them an initial idea for one.

Bushnell-Wye added: “I had some free time, so came up with something.

“It went down well, and soon I was taking advice from people who suggested ways to improve upon it.

“I looked at the original Vics badge, the Northwich town crest, changing the colour of the bird and flipping the direction it is facing to signify turning the other cheek.”

The supporters trust has asked its members for their verdict, which they can give in person  during the group’s latest social evening at Lostock Club, which starts at 7.30pm.

“We will go through a similar process to decide on a motto,” said trust chairman Paul Stockton.

Former Northwich favourites Paul Reid and Frank Corrigan will answer fans’ questions at the event, which also marks the launch of a 200 Club draw.

Bushnell-Wye, a former student at Hartford High School and Sir John Deane’s College, will be casting a vote on his own work too.

“I haven’t decided which design I like best,” he said.

“My original favourite didn’t make the shortlist, so I’ve got some thinking to do!

“I’d have been worried if nobody liked any of my ideas, but fortunately that’s not happened.

“There’s a range of opinion within the fans base; some individuals want to see a modern style badge, others want one more faithful to what they see as a symbol related to Vics.

“The fact that there has been so much reaction to what I’ve come up with, whatever people think of the designs, makes the hard work more worthwhile.”

What do you think of Luke's designs? Leave a comment below.