Reimagining the Wrexham AFC Crest [v2.0]

* Disclaimer *

Consider this is an exercise to curb personal curiosity. Nothing to see here. The site is not associated with Wrexham AFC or any of its affiliates. I'm a Wrexham fan and dabbler in football crest design. This is purely an experiment inspired by the club and its history, not indicative of any plans to update the club crest or branding, now or in the future.

Thanks for taking a look.

Let's try this again.

For the initial release of this site, I once again reached out to the Wrexham online community for feedback. This time, the response was much more constructive compared to the rough draft I had shared earlier. The completed concept, along with a step-by-step explanation, made it easier for people to provide targeted feedback on the initial decisions.

While the overall consensus remained a “hard pass,” I gathered valuable insights that sparked new ideas for a better approach. This next version directly addresses some of that feedback and, hopefully, aligns more closely with what fans might expect.

The Feedback

Selected and Categorized

Some of the feedback took me by surprise, particularly the repeated references to “pixel art.” I can understand where that impression might come from, but it wasn't my intention at all. I've always gravitated towards thick lines, geometric shapes, and vector art. While this was the most common feedback, I did notice a few other recurring themes worth mentioning:

Ownership Nods

First Attempt at Wrexham Crest

This feedback makes complete sense. The addition was a playful concept, but it's clear that most fans wouldn't appreciate it. We'll remove the subtle Deadpool reference. The dragon wings have also been adjusted to tone down the silhouette, which was a bit of a reach to begin with.

Too Busy

First Attempt at Wrexham Crest

In this next iteration, the line weights have been standardized to two variations, and many of the unnecessary details from the initial version have been removed.

Videogame-ish

First Attempt at Wrexham Crest

This is a fair point. As mentioned earlier, the design is vector-based, which allows for infinite scaling. However, it was intentionally crafted to work best at smaller sizes, like on a cap or the upper left chest of a shirt. Displaying it at a larger size may have contributed to the blocky feel. Additionally, the scale of the dragons, in particular, emphasizes their rigid shapes.

To address this, we're reducing the size of the dragons by half so that they fit better within the badge shape, similar to the current crest. This, combined with the updated line weights, should make them appear less pixelated. We're also updating the font used in the banner, shifting from a custom line-based typeface to a more traditional Gothic style.

Symbolism

First Attempt at Wrexham Crest

In this version, we've taken the simplification a step further by completely removing the feathers. In their place, we've added a bunch of leeks beneath the daffodils held by the dragons.

The Original Post

I hope this updated version is a bit closer to something the fans might appreciate. The feedback I received was invaluable in helping me understand more about the club and the community that holds it dear.

Thank you again for engaging with this process. Below is the original version of the site:

Let's start with the source.

Wrexham Crest

First of all, I don't dislike the current situation. The shield shape is nice enough, and I appreciate how the banner interacts with it. My main issue is the lack of symmetry— the crown, the football, and the feathers all feel wonky.

The feathers look kind of like wangs. The hierarchy feels off. There's this huge section dedicated to honoring the heraldry of the Prince of Wales. The club's name then feels squeezed in at the end. Having the foundation year listed twice seems like an afterthought.

Overall, it's a bit sloppy— and still pleasing in that way, but on the border of being amateur.

Respectfully, a new crest doesn't destroy the old. Each new iteration marks a different era, celebrating change and achievement. It shouldn't be considered sacrilege to entertain the idea of change.

Here's an idea ↓

The Shield

The Turf Family Wall

"The shield shape is nice enough."

We will retain the general gist of the form. This design will continually pay tribute to the existing badge. You'll notice that the overall silhouette will eventually change, but this familiar foundation stays intact.

The Turf

The Turf

To bring more fitting symbolism to the top of the crest, we're incorporating details from an institution central to the club's formation.

The Turf Hotel has been the go-to spot for Wrexham's fans on match days and proudly holds the title of being the only pub in the entire United Kingdom built inside a football club's grounds. It is the oldest public house at any sports stadium worldwide. Here, on October 4, 1864, the Denbighshire County Cricket Club convened to form what would become the Wrexham Football Club.

The section above the front door is meant to resemble the Tudor Revival style architecture seen in buildings like The Talbot, located in Wrexham city centre between Hope Street and Queen Street.

The Talbot

The Colors

Flag of Wales

Sticking with the conventions of the current crest, the shield color blocking is an inverse of the Welsh flag— Green and White with a red stripe separating the two.

The Ornaments

The Prince of Wales's feathers badge

The goal here is to move the existing banner up to a more prominent spot, where it overlaps the badge instead of sitting below.

We're reusing the existing badge's football icon, refining it, and placing it at the bottom.

From the top of the football, you'll see the ostrich feathers— downplayed, but still there. The feather shape is simplified and less phallic.

The Dragons

The Dragon

A constant in the badge since it was a version of the Wrexham borough coat of arms, a red dragon is necessary. This iteration is a cross between the very original crest, which used a dragon closer to the Welsh flag, and the newer orientation of double dragons. Theses dragons stand with one foot on the ball, their overlapping claws forming a crown shape that echoes the imagery of the previous crest.

The wings are meant to be arranged in a way that might remind the viewer of the Philadelphia Eagles, a team close to the heart of one of the new owners of the club.

You'll also notice a ruby between the beasts— which, when combined with the claws of the dragons, creates a symbol with a likeness to the disembodied head of Deadpool. A character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe played by another of the club's new owners.

[Up] The Town

Original Crest

In another ode to the badges which came before, the year of formation is prominently featured. This time, it's only once, among ermine spots and between the red dragons.

The club name remains on the gold banner, now more prominent within the shield and more legible from a distance.

Let's end with the source.

Wrexham Crest

See— no harm done.

The aim was to create something that strikes a balance— not overly simplified, "modern," or minimal, but also not unnecessarily complicated. Something decorative, but not cosplaying as vintage. I'm not sure if that's what happened, but either way, researching this project was a fun way to learn more about the club and its history.

I understand that redesigning something so beloved can sometimes be controversial. I don't mean any disrespect. This sort of thing is what I do for fun, and I appreciate you humoring me with your attention.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Contact

Colophon

For this project, I dug all over the internet to find information on the history, previous crests, and other concept exercises.

Many thanks to these communities and individuals for providing such a bag of knowledge. I'm inspired by your love for this club and town.

General Club History
Crest Concept Reference
Crest History Reference
Reference Images
Historical Kit Reference
General Crest History
Fonts