Leonard Jägerskiöld Nilsson

World Football Club Crests – What is in the badge?

Leonard Jägerskiöld Nilsson has written the ultimate football nerd’s book, I do not think anything will top World Football Club Crests, for quite a while. All I can say about Nilsson, other than being a sports journalist and from reading this book a total anorak where the history of football is concerned.

This book covers over 200 clubs from different leagues around the world, and explores the club crest, its evolving design, its meaning (if there is one) to the symbolism and passion a club crest creates with its fans.

While highlighting the major countries of European football in their own chapters, you can see how some of the biggest clubs in the world crest evolved and is continuing to develop into the future. While I would point out that to be factually correct Manchester United were created in 1902, and there is no historical evidence that United were created in 1878. There is historical evidence (what we historians use) that Newton Heath played their first game in 1880, two weeks after St, Marks West Gorton (became Manchester City). But United have always been fantasists and always disregard facts for fiction.

Other than that, this is a fantastic book for the football lover, and there is something to learn on every page. Great explanations to each era of crest and the periods of its usage. I am sure this will make a fantastic present for every football lover.… (meer)