Soccer Patches and Logos From Around the World

When it comes to patches in sports, soccer patches have long been a part of the game. Many European soccer (or football, as it’s referred to across the Atlantic) players wear patches as part of their game-day uniforms or “kit.”

Soccer patches, also commonly referred to as football crests or badges, are a part of the uniforms of professional soccer teams worldwide. They reflect a team’s heritage and are a source of pride for fans of the club they represent.

Beginnings of Soccer Patches

Soccer patches have long been a standard part of the uniform, or “kit,” for many years, especially for European soccer clubs. In the earliest days of the game, teams sought ways to distinguish their teams from their opponents. They began sewing small, hand-crafted crests onto their jerseys, usually including a simple design such as a local landmark or the initials of the team name.

Over the decades, several clubs worldwide have become well known for their patch designs. Some of the most famous are based in Europe.

European Clubs

With many clubs dating back 100 years or more, soccer patches are an important aspect of the heritage of European clubs. Examples include the following:

Manchester United

Manchester United, also known as Man U or simply United, could well be the most famous soccer club in the world. The team was founded in 1878, and plays in the Premier League, the highest tier of English soccer. 

The  club’s patch features a red devil on a medieval-style shield flanked by the team’s name above and below, and a soccer ball on the left and right flanks. As a result of the design, the club is nicknamed the Red Devils. The club logo and patches are well-known to United’s passionate fan base worldwide.

Many soccer superstars have played for Manchester United. Past greats include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne  Rooney and Bobby Charlton.

Surprisingly, the English club is owned by Americans. The Glazer family, which also owns the American football Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bought Manchester United in 2005. 

Watford

Watford Football Club is a second-tier English club. It dates back to 1881, and is perhaps best known in the United States as the team that musician Elton John once owned. Sir Elton owned and chaired the club in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Watford club is known as the Hornets, a creature which was depicted on the patch crest from 1959 to 1974. That year, the crest changed to a depiction of Harry the Hornet, the club mascot. 

In 1978, the crest took a completely different twist. Since then, the patch has featured, instead of a hornet, a red moose on a half black/half yellow background. 

Real Madrid

Real (pronounce ree-AL) Madrid is a premier team of Spain. The legendary club is considered the top football club of the 20th century by soccer’s governing body, FIFA.

The club’s patch features a gold circle enclosing the stylized letters MFC on a blue and white background. A gold crown adorns the top of the crest, a nod to “Real” meaning “royal” in Spanish.

Notable Real Madrid players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Paco Gento, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Santiago Bernabeu, for whom the team’s home stadium is named.

American Clubs

Of course, the United States has produced its share of notable clubs and players as well. Several have achieved international acclaim.

Orlando City 

In Central Florida, the team to watch is Orlando City. Playing in Major League Soccer’s Eastern conference, the team has been a fixture in the Orlando sports scene since 2015. 

With the club known as the Lions, the patch features a gold lion’s head with full mane on a field of purple. Fans fill the city with purple on match days.

DC United

Washington’s DC United is one of Major League Soccer’s inaugural teams. It’s one of the three most successful MLS teams in the United States, along with the New York Cosmos and LA Galaxy. Boosting the team’s many victories were players such as Marco Etcheverry, John Harkes  and Eddie Pope

The team’s crest features a black and red eagle on a black shield, and the words “D.C. United” at the top.

LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy, like DC United, is one of the original 10 MLS charter members. The Los Angeles club is one of the league’s most successful teams. Thanks to stars such as David Beckham, Marco Reus and Landon Donovan, among others, the Galaxy have compiled an unrivaled winning record.

The club’s patch features a simple shield-shaped crest with LA in white letters on a blue background, a gold and white star above the letters, and Galaxy in blue on a gold banner below.

A Worldwide Sport

Soccer is the world’s single most popular team sport by a wide margin. Virtually every developed nation features its own clubs and their own stars. The list of international soccer heroes includes legendary names such as Pele (Brazil), Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona (Argentina), Zinedine Zidane (France), George Weah (Liberia), and many more.

With millions of fans worldwide, and ever-growing popularity among young players, the sport is sure to be a winner for many decades to come. 

The Meaning of Soccer Club Patches

Club patches have special meaning for players and fans alike at all levels of the game. They originally served to build team spirit and cohesion among players and to represent pride in their achievements. While the patches do the same today, they accomplish more as well.

Modern soccer patches, whether at the level of the elite clubs above or local youth leagues, also give fans a symbol, a token to rally around. The casual fan can easily wear a club patch to feel a part of his or her favorite squad. It’s a way to demonstrate pride in the local, regional or national club of your choice.

At Patches4Less.com, we’re dedicated to giving you the perfect patches for your team. If you’re interested in finding out how custom soccer patches can help your local club define its identity, call  or email us today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.