Essendon legend Tim Watson has had his say on the membership’s rumoured change to the emblem after experiences they had been contemplating changing the Bomber plane.
The news despatched Essendon and footy followers right into a spin with backlash flooding in over the potential replace to the well-known membership.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Both the Herald Sun and SEN reported Essendon thought of changing the Bomber plane on its brand, with a analysis undertaking all through the season searching for to find out how the membership’s members and stakeholders view the group.
According to the Herald Sun, Essendon is contemplating whether or not its followers imagine the wartime plane brand is the most effective illustration of the well-known Victorian cub.
There’s no indication that the Bombers would change their nickname, which was first adopted in 1940.
Watson, a three-time premiership winner spoke concerning the subject throughout his radio present and stated loads of previous gamers don’t need change introduced in.
“The narrative was, ‘OK, you can’t have it being called the Bombers and you can’t have a jet plane as part of the emblem’” Watson stated on SEN.
Watson stated he was requested concerning the membership, however none associated to the altering of the emblem … they had been extra round branding.
“I was asked apart of a survey, but none of the questions related to the Bombers or the logo,” he stated when quizzed concerning the membership’s ‘research project’.
“(The questions) were around the branding of the club …
“(But) I think it goes to the heart of the emotion of a passionate supporter about changing things … the way that it was (first) referenced was that there was going to be a change to the logo.”
It was that notion that brought on followers to really feel “upset and divided” in addition to followers being livid with the nickname additionally doubtlessly dealing with the axe.
“And people who don’t barrack for Essendon, either, were thinking this is just all woke crap,” he stated.
“As I said … the best way to brand your club is to be successful and just go out and win games and participate in finals.”
Lyon weighed in saying he couldn’t think about that fan outrage had stemmed from an aeroplane being faraway from a brand.
“I know some people who are mad, passionate Essendon fans who don’t like the association with Bomber (or) Bombers and the connection to war … I know people like that,” Watson stated.
“(But) I was at lunch with a lot of old Bombers and people yesterday and I think the consensus would be that they would all like probably (for it) to stay the way it is as well.”
Fellow Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd strongly opposed the potential for ditching the Bomber from the logo.
“I’d be very disappointed if the Bomber was gone,” he stated.
“Have we got to that point, have we? Such a great logo and tradition of the Essendon Football Club (might go) because it might upset the odd person or two. We (might) lose something so special with our football club.
“I hope it stays.”
Essendon captain Zach Merrett stated a refresh of the membership brand “wouldn’t bother” him, however that “the connection at the moment is probably to the bomber and I think we all connect with that as players and I’m sure fans do.”
The skipper added the reference to former` gamers remained sturdy, because it did with the membership’s heritage.
“In our gym we have all our heritage logos, we have a big line I think from our first captain … there’s a sash on every player … that certainly is something that we all connect with as present players,” he stated.
“Attending the 93’ Hall of Fame inductees the other night and the reunion was pretty special as well.
“To hear some of their stories and the way in which they still feel connected and I think they’re loving the way we’re playing at the moment and they’re feeling as connected as they have ever, probably.”
In a letter to members, Essendon president David Barham conceded he membership was “conducting a preliminary research project” round components of the membership model.
But he was adamant there can be no change to the “Bombers” nickname or anything within the brief time period.
“The research project is in its early phase. Members and supporters have been and will continue to be canvassed,” Barham stated.
“There is no immediate action to change the club logo or any elements of the club brand. This is a longer-term project with significant work to be completed.
“We will always be called the Bombers.”
Originally printed as Essendon legend Tim Watson weighs in on experiences of controversial brand change
Source: www.news.com.au
