As Essendon consider removing the iconic bomber fighter jet from their logo over sensitivities, the legends are criticizing their former club over the controversial move which could be doomed.
It’s been clear from the start of this controversy that Essendon isn’t ditching the Bombers moniker, but is exploring dropping the now-iconic bomber from its logo.
The club say they want to check if a warplane is appropriate and if it is the best modern representation for the club.
The Bombers logo is the second oldest in the entire league, behind only St Kilda, so obviously due for a refresh.
But when it was announced the club would consider dropping their iconic bomber as he could be deemed unresponsive to some, one of the club’s best players, Matthew Lloyd, was furious.
The Bombers nickname comes from the club’s proximity to Essendon Airport, where the famous Beaufort Bombers aircraft were manufactured and repaired during World War II. Their training center is now called ‘The Hangar’ in a nod to these links… but could the club remove the plane from the logo because some might find it insensitive?
Essendon’s current logo (left) in the league’s second oldest, and has depicted a bomber aircraft for many years, including this retro 1970s version (right)
Matthew Lloyd (pictured) was scathing about removing the bomber plane from his beloved club’s logo
“Have we come to the point that such a good logo, a tradition of Essendon Football Club, could go because it might upset one or two people…that we would potentially lose something so special with our soccer club?” he fumed on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“I hope it will stay.”
Club legend Tim Watson was even more scathing about the suicide bomber’s removal, saying the potential move was “woke crap” on his show SEN Breakfast.
He was a firm believer that Essendon, which has not played final football since 2004 and has been beleaguered by a number of high-profile controversies over the past two decades, would be in a better position to attract fans if they focused on improving the field.
“The best way to mark your club is to succeed and win games and get into finals,” Watson said.
Bomber great Tim Watson, pictured after winning the 1993 grand final, said the club should focus on better performance on the pitch if they were to improve their mark
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett said the bomber in the logo was something that resonated deeply with fans and fans.
“The connection right now is probably with the bomber and I think we all connect to that as players and I’m sure the fans do,” he said when asked. on any potential logo changes involving dropping the bomber.
So there’s a lot of proud history when it comes to the Bombers moniker and logo, and a marketing expert has explained exactly why things like this are so important to fans.
When did Essendon get their Bombers nickname, and why?
Essendon adopted the nickname “Bombers” in April 1940, paying homage to their proximity to Essendon Airport, where the famous Beaufort bombers were built and repaired during World War II, a crucial aircraft for the effort to ally war.
The club is famous for its black shirt with red belt, an iconic sweater that has not changed since the club was founded in 1897.
As a result, before the Bombers nickname was permanently adopted during the war, the club was known as the “Sash Wearers” or “Same Olds” – far from the most inspiring nickname.
The current Bomber aircraft logo is the second oldest in the AFL behind St Kilda, and has been in place since 1997, and is essentially just a gray aircraft with ESSENDON written in red and black above it.
Prior to this, a decidedly more retro bomber sat on a belt logo in a design that has remained constant outside the AFL and VFL injuries since the early 1970s.
The Bombers’ headquarters, a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s Essendon Airport International in Tullamarine, is also called The Hangar, in a nod to their heritage.
The bombers got their nickname during WW2 because they are located so close to Essendon Airport (pictured), where the famous Beaufort bombers were made during the war
Essendon supporters have been blasting luxury since learning the club are considering removing the bomber from the logo, and the pundit has explained exactly why the club’s decision could be doomed if they don’t. not doing it correctly.
“People tattoo these logos on their chests… club allegiances are passed down from generation to generation and are central to the personal identity of many Australians,” said Charlie Rose, chief strategy officer at brand agency Principals, in Mumbrella.
“Therefore, any proposal to change them is a decision that requires careful consideration.
“Logo updates should be based on whether the symbol or image is holding a company back. If it brings bad connotations or is not aligned with future strategy.
If Essendon Changes Its Iconic Logo, This Tattooed Bombers Fan Won’t Be Too Impressed
Watson, who played 307 games for the club, including three opening stints in a Team of the Century career, said that was exactly why the fan reaction was so visceral.
“I think it goes to the heart of the emotion of a passionate supporter to change things… the way it was (first) referenced was that there was going to be a logo change,” he said. -he declares.
“And people who don’t rock out for Essendon either thought it was just woke crap.”
Watson co-host Garry Lyon agreed, with the big demon insisting he would never voice any concerns from anyone or ex-player over whether or not the bomber in the logo was appropriate. .
“I was at lunch with a lot of old Bombers and people yesterday and I think the consensus would be that they would probably all (for that) like to stay that way,” Lyon said on his SEN Breakfast show.
Current Bombers skipper Zach Merrett said the belt and the Bomber meant a lot to players and fans.
Outspoken Magpies legend Tony Shaw also delivered a devastating spray on the controversy, invoking the memories of our Diggers and the role aircraft played in helping the Allies win the war.
“It’s not about a name or a logo, it’s the dumb reason for wanting to change,” he said.
‘(A) Reference to wartime bomber being offensive? ! I’m glad we had bombers in wartime or we speak German or Japanese now.
Fans aren’t happy either.
Top sports historian and Essendon fan Dr Dan Eddy explained why on Channel 9: “The connection to that Bombers logo has been so strong for so long I would hate to see it go.”
Victorian state politician David Davis also weighed in, saying dropping such a historic thing from the logo would be a huge mistake.
‘Let’s keep the ‘Bombers’ – logo and all. Why do they want to abandon such a great history, tradition? This is a big mistake. Especially for loyal #Essendon fans,” he wrote on social media.
“My grandfather flew bombers during the war. I love their logo,” one fan said, writing in another, “A more appropriate logo? Umm, I’m sorry, our base was around Essendon airport and now in Tullamarine, also near the airport! They have also been called the Bombers since 1940.’
A furious Bombers member says fans are united in their disgust that a plane isn’t in the logo.
“Every member I’ve had messages from since Monday has been furious,” the fan wrote on Twitter.
“I have never heard a member or supporter of Essendon complain about the Bombers logo, ever.
‘Leave it as is. Admins can go behind the scenes. All we want to hear is Brad Scott and the players.