Earlier this afternoon, the Football League revealed to football followers everywhere that it was going to rebrand to the English Football League from the 2016-17 season onwards.
With a hat-tip to Ed for the heads up.
The name change is owing to a comprehensive corporate and competition rebranding and the English Football League will just become naturally known as the EFL in everyday language.
Well it will if people remember.
Here’s the new @football_league logo from next season! Do you like it? pic.twitter.com/hNCkp0fPwh
? Vital Wednesday (@VitalWednesday) November 12, 2015
The new logo is described as a ‘dynamic circular arrangement of 72 balls in three swatches of 24’ and it’s been designed to represent each of the League’s member clubs that operate through the pyramid.
With it being the fourth logo change in their 127 year history, each member club will be presented with it’s own bespoke version to be displayed proudly.
Presumably Birmingham’s version will be colour coded.
Chief executive Shaun Harvey explained.
‘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.’
As part of the change though, the Championship, League One and League Two named will be retained following their introduction back in 2004 and they will be incorporated into to new EFL brand.
For a mini FAQ on why the change has been made if you’re interested – please Click Here.
The main dates for next season have also been released by the Football League, and they are as follows.
2016/17 Key Dates
Season start: The weekend of 6th August 2016
Boxing Day fixtures – 26th December 2016
New Year`s Eve fixtures – 31st December 2016
New Year Bank Holiday fixtures – 2nd January 2017
Regular season finish: The weekend of 6th May 2017
