Football League getting a makeover

[Rhys Lightning 63]

The Football League is to be re-named the English Football League as part of a comprehensive corporate and competition re-branding.

The new title, which will come into use at the conclusion of the current season and ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, will be shortened to EFL for everyday use across the game.

The EFL name will be accompanied by a stunning new visual identity featuring a dynamic circular arrangement of 72 balls in three swathes of 24, representing each of the League's member clubs and the respective divisions they play in.

The new logo is just the fourth in the 127 year history of the world's original league football competition and, for the first time, each club will be presented with its own bespoke version in its individual playing colours, ahead of the new season, for it to retain in perpetuity.

The Football League's Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey said: "The new EFL name rightly emphasises the central role our clubs play at the heart of English professional football.

"In an increasingly challenging global sports market, it is absolutely essential that sports properties can project a modern identity that not only resonates with their regular audience but is also easily recognisable to a broader audience of potential fans, viewers and commercial partners.

"We believe the EFL name and brand will give our competitions an identity that is new and distinct, while at the same time retaining our unique heritage.  As such, it will be something that all fans can identify with - whether they be young or old, at home or abroad.

Harvey also confirmed that the League would be retaining the three existing divisional titles, "The Championship, League One and League Two divisional titles have proven popular with fans since their introduction in 2004 and have since been used by leagues in other countries and in other sports.  It is therefore our intention to incorporate them into the new EFL brand," he said.

The introduction of the EFL name follows a thorough process of consultation that included detailed surveys, interviews and focus groups with clubs, stakeholders, commercial partners and more than 18,000 football supporters.

Consultees included the Football Association, the Premier League, the Professional Footballers Association, the Football Supporters Federation, the League's competition sponsors (Sky Bet, Capital One and Johnstone's Paint), its broadcast partners (Sky Sports, Channel 5 and Pitch International) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Read more at http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/football-league-to-become-english-football-league-2798141.aspx#hSzmrf6s2dz4iYR7.99

[Burt]

https://youtu.be/Pi6kyFTqjUE

[Burt]

Not the most inspiring of vids, if I am being totally honest...

[Woolly Mammoth]

The English Football League, I like the name, and about time to.

[MJG]

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

[Lighthouse]

Well this isn't in any way aimed at an American audience is it?

The EFL

I wonder how much they were paid to think this re branding up?

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

https://youtu.be/Pi6kyFTqjUE

How odd

[Woolly Mammoth]

 064.gif

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

If it concerns them that much, they can go and join the Welsh League

[Wearethewhites]

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

They do, however, chose to play in the English Football Leagues, so from my point of view they like it or lump it.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

They do, however, chose to play in the English Football Leagues, so from my point of view they like it or lump it.

Exactly

[MarryMeWRoy]

Such negative comments!  I think it looks great - visually very clean and precise; and yes, branding costs a lot of money but get it right and it's worth every penny/cent.  The EFL ties in with EPL title and the Welsh teams do choose to be part of an English League.
Living in New Zealand I wish we had better coverage over the internet; can only pick up a feed when games are on Sky, but Sky NZ do not buy the EPL games let alone the Championship.  But there is an internet purchase option with EPL to see ALL games live and recorded.
I'm sure other small countries with fans are in the same boat.

[Nero]

EFL or EPL get a shortsighted foreign TV executive and get millions more for your foreign tv rights

[Rhys Lightning 63]

Such negative comments!  I think it looks great - visually very clean and precise; and yes, branding costs a lot of money but get it right and it's worth every penny/cent.  The EFL ties in with EPL title and the Welsh teams do choose to be part of an English League.
Living in New Zealand I wish we had better coverage over the internet; can only pick up a feed when games are on Sky, but Sky NZ do not buy the EPL games let alone the Championship.  But there is an internet purchase option with EPL to see ALL games live and recorded.
I'm sure other small countries with fans are in the same boat.

THE EPL IS NOT ITS TITLE!!! Sorry, it's not your fault, but I just really get bugged when people say EPL rather than Premier League. Much like the word 'selfie' it just really bugs me.

Maybe it's because it's a foreign thing, nobody in England (that I know) calls it the EPL, but I don't see people calling La Liga LL, or Serie A SA. Just bugs me.

That's why I don't like the term 'EFL', it just ain't right

[Holders]

What nonsense! By default everything is English unless otherwise stated so the prefix is unnecessary. For example: The Premier League, The Football Association, The Football league.

[davew]

How much money will be wasted on this change of name?

[ron]

...but then again, how much cash will be earned by selling the new branded cr*p?

Anyway, EFL normally refers to "English as a Foreign Language"

The only language the football organisations of the world seem to speak is "money".

[HatterDon]

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

Any complaints from Berwick Rangers about playing in the Scottish Football League?

[Burt]

I'm sure Cardiff,  Swansea and other Welsh clubs are impressed.

Any complaints from Berwick Rangers about playing in the Scottish Football League?

Their fan has a sore throat and was unavailable for comment  :dft011:

[epsomraver]

EFL or EPL get a shortsighted foreign TV executive and get millions more for your foreign tv rights

Or EDL then that would cause some problems :hook:

[Rupert]

What nonsense! By default everything is English unless otherwise stated so the prefix is unnecessary. For example: The Premier League, The Football Association, The Football league.

Exactly right. We also have things like the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, God, etc. If it is recognised around the world as the best, there is no need to put English or British in front of it. Everyone just knows it is ours.